Age at menarche does not correlate with the endometriosis phenotype

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic condition.
• The relationship between menarcheal age and endometriosis phenotype requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between the endometriosis phenotype and the age at menarche.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study with prospectively collected data from 789 women.
• Endometriotic lesions classified into superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SUP), endometrioma (OMA), or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).
• Patients grouped by age at menarche: early (<12 years), typical (12-13 years), and late (>13 years).

Main Results:

• Mean age at menarche was 12.9 ± 1.6 years.
• No significant differences in menarcheal age or time to first surgery were found across the three endometriosis phenotypes (SUP, OMA, DIE).
• No variations in endometriosis phenotype or lesion distribution were observed among women with early, typical, or late menarche.

Conclusions:

• Age at menarche is not associated with the endometriosis phenotype in women undergoing their first surgical intervention for the condition.