Women of reproductive age with endometriosis are not osteopenic.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether women of reproductive age with endometriosis are osteopenic and whether bone density decreases with higher stages of endometriosis.


METHODS
A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed.


METHODS
Thirty-nine gynecological clinics in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-one women of reproductive age with laparoscopically proved endometriosis.


METHODS
Diagnostic laparoscopy, bone densitometry.


METHODS
Endometriosis stages according to the criteria of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, lumbar spine bone mineral density (L2-L4) as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
The mean lumbar spine bone mineral density, as well as the distribution of bone mineral density, of the women with endometriosis was similar to that of a normal population. There were no significant differences between endometriosis stage groups I-IV regarding bone mineral density as well as body weight, body mass index, and height.


CONCLUSIONS
Women of reproductive age with endometriosis are not osteopenic. More advanced stages of endometriosis are not associated with a decrease in lumbar spine bone mineral density.
Ulrich
U
U
University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Murano
R
R
Skinner
M A
MA
Yin
H
H
Chesnut
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged