DYSMENORRHEA IS RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF IMPLANTS IN ENDOMETRIOSIS PATIENTS

Objective: To determine whether the symptoms of endometriosis were rel ated to the number and/or location of endometrial implants and the num ber and/or location of adhesions. Design: Prospective, double-blind st udy. Patients: Seventy consecutive female surgical patients undergoing diagnostic and operative laparoscopy for pain, infertility, or both. Interventions: Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire on e day before laparoscopy. Main Outcome Measures: The number, type, and location of endometrial implants and the number, type, and location o f adhesions were evaluated during laparoscopy. These were compared wit h the type and severity of endometriosis symptoms as reported by patie nts. Results: The total number of ectopic endometrial implants was ass ociated directly with the intensity of dysmenorrhea experienced by pat ients in the 60 days before operative laparoscopy (n = 47). Patients w ith low pain scores had significantly fewer implants than patients wit h high pain scores. Conclusions: The intensity of menstrual pain is re lated to the number of endometrial implants in patients with endometri osis.