Study of endometriosis in women of reproductive age, laparoscopic management and its outcome

Background: The prevalence of endometriosis is seen to be from 10% to 20% in the reproductive age group. The prevalence of endometriosis is 30% to 70% among women presenting with infertility. In our study the incidence of endometriosis appears to be on the higher side. The objective is to find out the prevalence of endometriosis in the female population in the reproductive age and to study the outcome after laparoscopic surgery in infertile women with endometriosisMethods: A total of 200 patients who presented with symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain with or/without infertility were studied in the women of reproductive age group. The diagnostic/operative laparoscopy was performed in 75 patients. Endometriosis was identified by laparoscopy in 50 cases and confirmed by histopathological examination.Results: Out of the above 200 patients, 25% (50 cases) were diagnosed as cases of endometriosis. Out of which, 50% (25 cases) patients had moderate to severe endometriosis. The prevalence of infertility was 22.5% (45cases out of 200). Endometriosis was the cause of infertility in 33 patients. 25 patients had moderate to severe endometriosis and remaining 8 cases minimal to mild disease. The prevalence of endometriosis was 73.33% in infertile women. The fertility rate after surgery, during the 2 years follow up is 36.36% (12 cases conceived out of 33 cases).Conclusions: The prevalence of endometriosis in infertile women is higher and the outcome after laparoscopic surgery is encouraging. The symptoms and clinical signs should raise the suspicion of pelvic endometriosis