Endometriosis surgery in young women: a narrative review

Abstract

Endometriosis affects women throughout their reproductive years starting from adolescence. Its prevalence reaches a peak in early 40’s but many women trace the beginning of their symptoms back to their teenage years, suggesting that the disease process starts in young ages (1,2). Endometriosis is considered a chronic condition with a high risk of recurrence after treatment (3). This is of particular significance in young women in their teens or 20s who have many more years ahead of them before they become menopausal. It is quite common to treat young women with cyclical pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhoea with hormonal contraceptives alone or in combination with analgesics. This may improve the pain in a significant proportion whether they have endometriosis associated pain or primary dysmenorrhoea so that further intervention may not be needed at that point. However, some will have Review Article