title: Cyclical rectal bleeding in colorectal endometriosis.
abstract: Three case reports of cyclical rectal bleeding in endometriosis affecting rectum and sigmoid colon emphasize the close relationship between such cyclical bleeding and intestinal endometriosis. The cause of bleeding, however, is still unclear. The predilection of endometriotic deposits for the outer layers of the bowel wall suggests that mucosal involvement is not a prerequisite for rectal bleeding. The frequent absence of identifiable intramural haemorrhage casts doubt on the premise that intestinal endometriotic deposits 'menstruate'. The cause may simply be a transient tear in normal mucosa due to swelling of an underlying endometriotic deposit at the time of menstruation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hodby
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Merwyk
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Glancy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010507:Periodicity; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum