Endometriosis Flashcards
Define endometriosis
This is a condition in which tissues similar to normal endometrium, in structure and function, are found
in sites outside the uterine cavity
Risk factors
Race
Menstrual Factors like early menarche and short menstrual cycle
Family Hx
Outflow obstructions like cervical stenosis
Implantation theory of endometriosis
There is retrograde passage of menstrual blood containing fragments of endometrium along
the fallopian tubes to reach the peritoneum.
The endometrial tissues become implanted on the peritoneal surface of organs
These implants then undergo proliferation, bleeding and subsequently seeds further implants
at other sites
Coelomic metaplasia
Coelomic epithelium gives rise to the epithelial lining of the Mullerian duct. It also
differentiates into peritoneal, pleural and epithelium covering the surface of ovaries
In the presence of an appropriate induction agent, coelomic cells differentiate into
endometrial cells through metaplasia
The induction agent could be repeated hormonal stimulus
Why metaplastic changes occur is not known
Lymphatic and vascular dissemination
Viable endometrial cells enter lymph and blood vessels and
are embolised to ectopic sites
Presentation of endometriosis
- Pain
^Pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea - Abnormalities of menstruation: menorrhagia and polymenorrhea (usually due to adenomyosis)
Ovarian enlargement (endometrioma)
Reactive peritonitis, acute abdomen requiring laparotomy (when there is rupture of an ovarian
endometrioma)
sites of endometrosis
Ovary bowel Lower genital tract Perineum(episiotomy scars) Urinary tract Umbilicus Surgical scar
Medical treatment for endometriosis
Oral contraceptive pill
Danazol
LH-RH analogues
LH-RH analogues with add back
MOA for danazol
. This is a derivative of testosterone and an anti-progesterone. It works by
Reduction of gonadotropin to early follicular phase levels
Reduces sex hormone binding globulins, thus increasing levels of free testosterone
Direct inhibition of endometrial growth
MOA for Oral contraceptive pill.
This causes anovulation and thinning out/ absorption of the ectopic
endometrial tissues. Side effects include weight gain, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting,
break through bleeding.
Side effects of medical treatment
The breast tenderness, hot flushes, sweating, atrophic vaginitis, acne, hirsutism,
occasional voice changes.
MOA for LH-RH analogues
Create pseudo-menopause
Suppression of gonadotrophin secretions
Anovulation, reduced estradiol levels
surgical treatment of endometriosis
Removing the lesions with laser
define adenomyosis
Endometiosis of the myometrium
in which group of people is adenomyosis usually found
Multiparous women