Treatment of Endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrium outside the uterine cavity or myometrium (endometriotic implants), usually in the peritoneal cavity (Figure 1). The question of how the tissue attains this abnormal placement is controversial, although the predominant theory is that retrograde menstruation is the cause.¹ Additional factors that may be important in pathogenesis include immunologic abnormalities, endometrial disorders, and peritoneal dysfunction.¹ The principal manifestations of endometriosis are pelvic pain and infertility.² The extent of the pain is influenced primarily by the location and depth of the endometriotic implant, with deep implants in highly innervated areas most consistently associated with pain. Infertility . . .