Bowel endometriosis: from pathogenesis to clinical management.

Bowel endometriosis affects 8-12% of women with endometriosis, mainly in the rectosigmoid colon, and often coexists with other pelvic lesions.

• Why it matters: Understanding its complex pathogenesis is crucial because diagnosis is often delayed by 7-10 years, leading to prolonged patient suffering and misdiagnosis with other gastrointestinal disorders.
• What they did: The study reviews the multifactorial causes of bowel endometriosis and evaluates diagnostic tools like transvaginal ultrasound and MRI, along with treatment options including medical therapy and surgery.
• The result: Findings highlight that early diagnosis and tailored management improve symptom control and fertility outcomes, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary follow-up due to potential long-term risks.