Abstract
This narrative review is presented to elucidate the risk factors present in patients diagnosed with endometriosis that lead to the development of chronic pelvic pain. The ultimate goal is to establish more effective and personalized therapies, avoiding the consequences of persistent pain. Endometriosis is a chronic, benign gynecological disease characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. This ectopic tissue acts like the eutopic endometrium: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds during the menstrual cycle. Despite being benign, endometriosis infiltrates tissues and causes an inflammatory reaction in the areas where it is implanted. Both are responsible for the clinical symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysuria, and infertility. Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease with no known cause. Several mechanisms may contribute to pain, including direct compression or infiltration of nerves, inflammation, and nerve damage or dysfunction. Treatment of pain associated with endometriosis can be medical or surgical. A holistic understanding of the risk factors for the development of chronic pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis is essential. This understanding, along with a multidisciplinary approach, is key to proper diagnosis and treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ quality of life.References
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