Incidence of Endometriosis among Women Prepared for Laparoscopy in Unexplained Infertility and Chronic Pelvic Pain

Abstract

Background: Unexplained infertility continues to be a health challenge irrespective of revolution in medical care. Endometriosis could be associated with infertility. However, its prevalence is underestimated, as it need laparoscopy for definite diagnosis. Aim of the work: To estimate the incidence of typical and atypical (subtle) pelvic endometriosis among women with unexplained infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Patients and Methods:A total of 100 patients with unexplained infertility [50 patients] and chronic pelvic pain [50 patients] who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy had been included in the current study. All were assessed clinically after full history taking and underwent ultrasound, then prepared for laparoscopy. The main outcome was laparoscopic and histopathologic diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis, and the association between endometriosis and different patient characteristics and other risk factors had been analyzed. Results: Endometriosis was diagnosed by laparoscopy in nearly 33 of patients included in this study of which 29 cases [12 with unexplained infertility and 17 with chronic pelvic pain] were confirmed by histopathologic examination. Thus, the final incidence of endometriosis was 29%. Development of endometriosis was significantly associated with positive family history, dysmenorrhea and higher CA125. Conclusion: Pelvic endometriosis is a frequent association with unexplained infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It should be considered in those women particularly when there was positive family history, dysmenorrhea or higher CA125.

Keywords

• chronic pelvic pain
• endometriosis
• laparoscopy
• unexplained infertility
• ca125