A diagnosis of endometriosis means a woman is likely to face multiple surgical procedures, according to an analysis published today.
The findings mean that women should think carefully about their reproductive plans following pregnancy – as the risk of losing fertility is high, according to the researchers.
The research in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology comes from a study of nearly 300,000 women in Scotland.
Out of these more than 17,000 had a surgical diagnosis of endometriosis together with a large number of women who underwent laparoscopic sterilisation and investigations.
The journal says it is the largest study to date of the long-term surgical risks from the condition.
The researchers found that 62% of women with endometriosis had at least two operations. The median time to the second procedure was two years.
About 20% underwent hysterectomy or removal of at least one ovary.
Researcher Dr Lucky Saraswat, from the University of Aberdeen, said: “Our study shows that women with the condition have a higher risk of repeat surgery, including hysterectomy. This is usually carried out in an attempt to improve painful symptoms and infertility that associated with the condition.
“Greater awareness of the long-term risks of multiple surgical procedures can be useful in counselling women with a new diagnosis of endometriosis and enable them to make timely reproductive choices.”
Edward Morris, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: “Clinicians and women should discuss the benefits and risks of all treatment options including pain killers and hormonal medical treatments before considering types of surgery.
“Radical surgery such as removal of ovaries or hysterectomy should only be once all other options have been considered.”
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 27 September 2017; doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.14793 [abstract]
Leave a Reply