Treatment utilization for endometriosis symptoms: a cross-sectional survey study of lifetime experience.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the lifetime utilization and perceived benefit of medical treatments and surgical procedures for endometriosis-related symptoms.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of self-reported survey data.


METHODS
Academic research setting.


METHODS
Self-reported surgically diagnosed endometriosis by 1,160 women responding to the 1998 Endometriosis Association survey.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Use, perceived helpfulness, and outcomes of medical treatments and surgical procedures.


RESULTS
Ninety-five percent of respondents reported pelvic pain, had endured symptoms on average of 16 years, and were young (mean: 36 years), white, and educated. Many women (46%) had tried three or more medical treatments, and almost 20% took them for 10+ years. Many reported medical treatments as helpful for symptoms (range, 36.4%-61.9%), but some reported stopping because of ineffectiveness (range, 15.6%-26.1%) or side effects (range, 10.0%-43.5%). Danazol or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was most commonly stopped because of side effects (range, 40.7%-43.5%). Surgical procedures were performed at least three times on 42%. Nearly 20% had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy; these procedures were reported as most successful in improving symptoms (45.9% and 37.8%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite reporting various treatments as helpful, women used many different types and endured symptoms for an average of almost two decades, indicating the profound effect of endometriosis on women's health.
Sinaii
Ninet
N
Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch, National Institute of Child and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. sinaiin@mail.nih.gov <sinaiin@mail.nih.gov>
Cleary
Sean D
SD
Younes
Naji
N
Ballweg
Mary Lou
ML
Stratton
Pamela
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000700:Analgesics