Progression of endometriosis in non-medically managed adolescents: a case series

Endometriosis is considered a progressive disease that can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility. A combined medical-surgical approach is the best method to slow the progression of endometriosis. Adolescents who are not maintained on a medical regimen postoperatively may be at risk for disease progression.

This is a case series of three adolescent patients who presented at 13 to 16 years of age with complaint of severe pelvic pain and were diagnosed with stage 1 endometriosis at the time of laparoscopy. They were then prescribed menstrual suppressive therapy but did not remain compliant with their regimens.

Each patient returned to the operating room and underwent a second laparoscopy which revealed that each patient's disease had progressed to a higher stage. Without combined surgical-medical management, disease worsens, and places patients at risk for severe chronic pelvic pain as well as infertility.