ABSTRACT
Endometriosis, which is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in extrauterine locations, is a benign gynecologic disease that may cause dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis is a relatively common disease that is estimated to occur in 6~10% of reproductive-aged women. Various theories have been proposed regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis, but a definitive theory remains obscure. Diagnosis of endometriosis in postmenopausal women is rare, but it has been reported in 2~5% of postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy. However, endometriosis can also occur in postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy, altogether indicating the complex pathogenesis of endometriosis. We report left ovarian endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman who had a hysterectomy a uterine myoma 16 years ago and review the relevant literature.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Dysmenorrhea , Endometriosis , Genital Diseases, Female , Hysterectomy , Infertility , Menopause , Myoma , Pelvic PainABSTRACT
Endometriosis, which is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in extrauterine locations, is a benign gynecologic disease that may cause dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis is a relatively common disease that is estimated to occur in 6~10% of reproductive-aged women. Various theories have been proposed regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis, but a definitive theory remains obscure. Diagnosis of endometriosis in postmenopausal women is rare, but it has been reported in 2~5% of postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy. However, endometriosis can also occur in postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy, altogether indicating the complex pathogenesis of endometriosis. We report left ovarian endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman who had a hysterectomy a uterine myoma 16 years ago and review the relevant literature.