Dysmenorrhea is related to the number of implants in endometriosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the symptoms of endometriosis were related to the number and/or location of endometrial implants and the number and/or location of adhesions.


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind study.


METHODS
Seventy consecutive female surgical patients undergoing diagnostic and operative laparoscopy for pain, infertility, or both.


METHODS
Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire one day before laparoscopy.


METHODS
The number, type, and location of endometrial implants and the number, type, and location of adhesions were evaluated during laparoscopy. These were compared with the type and severity of endometriosis symptoms as reported by patients.


RESULTS
The total number of ectopic endometrial implants was associated directly with the intensity of dysmenorrhea experienced by patients in the 60 days before operative laparoscopy (n = 47). Patients with low pain scores had significantly fewer implants than patients with high pain scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The intensity of menstrual pain is related to the number of endometrial implants in patients with endometriosis.
University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway.
M M
MM
Perper
F
F
Nezhat
H
H
Goldstein
C H
CH
Nezhat
C
C
Nezhat
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires