Introduction: Endometriosis is classically defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine lining1.2. Ectopic endometrium can be found outside the uterine cavity in the peritoneal cavity, ovaries, bladder and ureters. The incidence of endometriosis in adolescents with chronic pelvic pain is reported to be ranging from 25-73%1 while prevalence amongst adolescents non responsive to conventional medical therapy is estimated to be between 49% to 75%1.The true disease prevalence in the general adolescent population remains unknown. The purpose of our study was to screen adolescents based on a questionnaire tool, for identifying symptoms of endometriosis.
Methodology: This single-centre study was conducted over a period of 6 months, in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care hospital of Southern India. A total of 100 adolescent females were enrolled in the study and a validated questionnaire, which was developed after reviewing literature and selected risk factors, symptoms and phenotypic traits of endometriosis, was provided to each participant.
Results: It was found from analysis of the responses to the questionnaire that 73% females had painful periods, out of which 15% had dysmenorrhea associated with diarrhea. 11% had dyschezia, 14% had gastritis, nausea, bloating, 4% had dysuria, 9% had increased frequency of micturition, and 5% experienced incomplete bladder emptying as well.
Conclusion: Adolescent endometriosis is difficult to diagnose as it has different presentations. An endometriosis screening questionnaire may be an important tool for both clinicians as well as for self-screening by adolescents, thus enabling prompt evaluation of adolescents at risk of endometriosis.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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