Endometriosis

Anil Sharma talks about the management of endometriosis in primary care. Anil is a private gynaecologist working in Auckland at Ascot Central and has special interests in endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding and urogynaecology.

Topics

How common is endometriosis in NZ?
What are the theories of causation?
What presentations do you see in your practice?
What are the risk factors?
What are we looking for during clinical examination?
What role is there for lab tests and imaging?
When to refer, what are the red flags?
What are the principles of medical management?
What does surgical management entail?
Impact on fertility?

Take home messages

Assume every woman who presents with acute or chronic pelvic pain may well have endometriosis
If the exam is fairly normal and simple analgesics or the combined pill works, great… For everyone else consider referral.