title: [Endometriosis-associated bowel symptoms].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In endometriosis endometrial tissue appears outside the uterine cavity causing dysmenorrhea, infertility, chronic abdominal pain and bowel symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of bowel symptoms and the influence of surgical treatment of endometriosis on them were studied in 82 patients. The data were collected from patient records and by questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least one bowel symptom was found in 74% of patients, 73% presented dyschezia and 49% chronic abdominal pain. Surgical removal of endometriosis reduced dyschezia and diarrhea significantly (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dyschezia, chronic abdominal pain and functional bowel symptoms are more common among patients suffering from endometriosis than in the general population. Surgery may relieve these symptoms.
authors.forename: Riika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uotila
authors.forename: Marjaleena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Setälä
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Härkki
authors.forename: Jyrki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kössi
authors.forename: Maija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavonius
mesh_terms: D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome