Book Description
*This Research Topic is a continuation of "Endometriosis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment"* Endometriosis is a benign gynecological condition that causes pain symptoms and infertility; these symptoms may significantly impair quality of life. It affects at least 4% of reproductive age women. Over the last 20 year several improvements have been made in the understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis which however remains to be fully elucidated. Transvaginal ultrasonography is the first line imaging technique used for the diagnosis of endometriosis, radiological imaging (such as magnetic resonance imaging and virtual colonoscopy) can be used for patients with suspicion of bowel or urinary tract endometriosis. Hormonal therapy is the first-line treatment of endometriosis related pain. First-line therapies are combined estroprogestins combinations and progestins. Second-line therapies include gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist. Aromatase inhibitors have been proposed for the treatment of endometriosis but they are not approved for this use and they should be administered only in the setting of scientific research. Although, hormonal therapy decreases the intensity of pain symptoms, it is not curative, and symptoms usually recur after the discontinuation of treatment.
