Address for correspondence: Ana A. Murphy, M.D., Emory Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility, 20 Linden Avenue, Suite 4701, Atlanta, GA 30308. Voice: 404-686-1843; fax: 404-686-4956.
amurphy{at}emory.edu
Endometriosis is one of the most commonly encountered gynecologic
diseases requiring medical and/or surgical therapy. It is a
leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States and has significant
associated morbidity. The most frequent symptoms of genital
tract endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic
pain, and infertility. Endometriosis occurs in the pelvis, most
commonly the ovaries and the dependent areas covered with peritoneum.
Diagnosis requires surgical intervention and is usually made
by laparoscopy. In women being evaluated for pelvic pain, the
diagnosis of endometriosis is made frequently (40-60%) and varies
with the population being studied. Infertility and endometriosis
have long been associated. Although women with infertility may
have pelvic pain, subfertility (20-30%) can be the only presenting
symptom. In asymptomatic women, the diagnosis of endometriosis
ranges from 2% to 22% of reproductive-age women. Its true incidence
and natural history remain to be clarified. Endometriosis is
a significant public health issue because of the large number
of women it affects and the significant morbidity associated
with this disease.
