Adolescent Endometriosis
Although endometriosis is commonly associated with adults, it can also affect girls and teenagers, sometimes starting as early as their first menstrual period.
What is
Adolescent Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a frequently painful condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus.
When this condition affects children and teenagers, it is referred to as adolescent or pediatric endometriosis.
Adolescent endometriosis typically affects menstruating individuals, although there have been cases of it occurring even before menarche.
Searching for a qualified Endometriosis Specialist?
ESSI California
Experienced Adolescent Endometriosis Specialist
Adolescent Endometriosis
Risk Factors
While the exact cause of endometriosis is still debated, and there are no definitive predictors of who will develop the condition, certain risk factors have been associated with adolescent endometriosis.
- Menstruation at a young age
- Low body weight
- Long or heavy menstrual cycles
- Migraines
- Family history of endometriosis
Adolescent Endometriosis
Most common Symptoms
The main symptom of endometriosis in adolescents is dysmenorrhea (painful periods). This pain often does not respond to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or hormonal suppression. Other warning signs could include:
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Bladder pain
- Abdominal pain
- Dyspareunia (if sexually active)
- Digestive problems
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Irregular bleeding
- Lack of response to NSAIDs
Diagnosing Adolescent Endometriosis
An examination is usually suggested when patients have painful periods that don’t respond to treatment or have other reasons to suspect secondary dysmenorrhea (period pain due to another condition).
Blood tests and physical examinations may be done to rule out other health issues. A probable diagnosis of pediatric endometriosis will be made based on a combination of symptoms and imaging findings.
Laparoscopy can be used to confirm the diagnosis through a biopsy. At ESSI, our experienced team uses advanced imaging techniques to detect endometriosis when other doctors have found negative or inconclusive results.
Treating Adolescent Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a major contributor to infertility, which makes early diagnosis and treatment crucial for preserving your child’s future ability to conceive.
Treatment for pediatric endometriosis typically involves a combination of surgery, hormonal therapy, NSAIDs, GnRH agonists, and/or alternative pain therapies.
When choosing a surgeon for your child’s endometriosis, they must have experience with the full spectrum of endometrial morphologies. Adolescent lesions can appear differently from those typically found in adults, and more advanced imaging techniques may help distinguish adolescent lesions. One of the keys to lasting results is complete excision during surgery.
