Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the association between endometriosis and menstrual and reproductive characteristics, as well as to describe the clinical profile of women with endometriosis in a questionnaire based case control study.

Methods. From 2005 to 2008, 118 women with and 52 women without endometriosis, confirmed by laparoscopy, were evaluated. Patients without endometriosis were used as controls.

Results and conclusions. The general, menstrual and reproductive characteristics, as well as the clinical profile of the study groups were similar. However, patients with endometriosis tended to complain more often lower abdominal pain and painful defecation throughout the study period. Women without endometriosis were more likely to be smokers (32.7% vs. 17.8%, P=0.02) and the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases among them was higher (48.1% vs. 25.4%, P=0.01). Patients with the minimal-mild stage of endometriosis were more frequently infertile than patients with the moderate-severe stage of endometriosis (76.8% vs. 34.7%, P<0.001) and they had used infertility treatment more frequently (27.5% vs. 8.2%, P=0.02). Also, the occurrence of spontaneous abortions in women with the minimal-mild stage of endometriosis was elevated compared to women with the moderate-severe stage of endometriosis. In conclusion, we found that general characteristics, as well as personal habits and clinical anamnesis do not reflect presence or severity of endometriosis. In addition, minimal-mild stage endometriosis  is often associated with reproductive function disorders, e.g. infertility and spontaneous abortions.