Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

The Importance of a Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Endometriotic Patients: The Relationship between Endometriosis and Psychic Vulnerability

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition, which is distinguished by the presence of the endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Pain and infertility are the most commonly expressed symptoms, occurring in 60% and 40% of cases, respectively. Women with endometriosis, especially those with pelvic pain, also have a greater vulnerability to several psychiatric disorders. There is, in particular, a tendency to contract affective or anxiety disorders as well as panic-agoraphobic and substance use disorders. Endometriosis with pelvic pain, infertility and psychic vulnerability usually leads to disability and a markedly lower quality of life for women of reproductive age. Thus, the burden of endometriosis is not limited to the symptoms and dysfunctions of the disease; it extends to the social, working and emotional spheres, leading to a severe impairment of global functioning. An analysis of scientific literature revealed a close relationship between specific temperamental traits, the expression of several psychiatric symptoms, chronicity of pain, risk of substance use and lower probability of a positive outcome. Endometriosis symptoms and the impact of related psychological consequences, increased vulnerability and the possible onset of psychiatric symptoms may influence coping strategies and weaken resilience, so triggering a vicious cycle leading to a marked deterioration in the quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of a medical team composed of gynecologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, experts in Dual Disorder, algologists and sexologists, would guarantee the setting of a target and taking the best decision on a personalized treatment plan. That approach would allow the prompt detection of any psychopathological symptoms and improve the endometriosis-related physical symptoms, bringing a healthier quality of life and a greater likelihood of a positive outcome.

Clinical Characteristics and Postoperative Symptoms of 85 Adolescents with Endometriosis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Endometriosis is the most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea among adolescents. Data on postoperative symptoms of the disease in adolescents are limited. In this study we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and postoperative symptoms of adolescent endometriosis in our center.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care institution.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-five adolescents with surgically confirmed endometriosis, age younger than 19 years, were included.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical characteristics including demographic factors, pelvic symptoms, and changes of pelvic pain after surgery.

RESULTS

Of 11,236 patients with endometriosis who received surgical treatment between January 2008 and January 2018 in our department, 85 adolescents (85/11,236; 0.76%) were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 16.3 (±2.4) years and pelvic pain was the main symptoms which occurred in 73/85 (85.9%). Forty-four of the 85 patients (51.8%) had associated genital malformations. The patients with genital malformations tended to present with a younger age at the time of surgery (15.1 ± 2.4 vs 17.6 ± 1.7 years; P < .001) and a shorter duration of symptoms to time of surgery (1.5 ± 1.3 vs 2.3 ± 2.1 years; P = .033). The median follow-up time was 56 months (range, 24-140 months) after surgery, and the pelvic pain had disappeared in 41.7% of patients, improved in 38.3% of patients, and had no change or worsened in 20.0% patients.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic pain was the main symptom in adolescents with endometriosis and was greatly improved after surgery. It should also be noted that genital malformation might be an important factor in younger adolescents with endometriosis.