Endometriosis: a guide to investigations and treatment in the emergency department

Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent disorder where endometrial tissue forms lesions outside the uterus, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. Women who have endometriosis may experience a highly variable range of non-specific signs and symptoms, including pelvic pain. Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed, partly because its signs and symptoms can easily be attributed to more common conditions that cause pelvic pain in women, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. This article describes the pathophysiology, aetiology, risk factors for, and signs and symptoms of endometriosis. It also outlines how endometriosis should be investigated and treated in the emergency department (ED). Its aim is to support nurses to deliver effective care to women of reproductive age presenting to the ED with severe pelvic pain.