EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLINIC AND EVOLUTION IN PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective: To study the relationship that exists between some predisposing factors to develop endometriosis and the most frequent symptoms manifested by patients. Methods: Longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive observational study, through the review of 455 records taken from 560 patients who attended the endometriosis consultation and made a definitive diagnosis at the “Dr. Ángel Larralde” and private consultation, in Venezuela, Carabobo state, in the period from January 2006 to May 2023. Results: The diagnosis was made in 47.1% of the patients aged between 26 and 35 years. Menarche occurred between 8 and 12 years of age (69%). 63% did not have pregnancies. Primary dysmenorrhea was more frequent in 63.07%. Pelvic pain and dyspareunia in 48%, digestive symptoms in 21%. The most frequent location was in the ovary (78.7%). Conclusion: Endometriosis, a benign, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease, is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial glands and stroma, usually accompanied by fibrosis. It manifests itself in the reproductive period, its main symptom is pain. It is located most frequently in the pelvis and from this in the ovaries, intestine, bladder, liver, lungs, brain, abdominal wall and perineum. There is no treatment to cure it, but there is treatment for the symptoms and slowing its progress. Its diagnosis due to its multifactorial development and clinical manifestations is often made late. Keywords: endometriosis, pelvic pain, endometrioma, fertility, dysmenorrheal