Actualización en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la endometriosis

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity, being frequent in women of childbearing age. Objective: To identify the most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, through literature reviews of scientific articles, with a focus on their practical application for the prevention of infertility. Methodology: For this literature review we worked under the positivist paradigm with a qualitative approach by searching PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Sciencie, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Scielo. All types of publications were considered, including clinical trials, review articles and meta-analyses of up to 5 years. Development: The definitive diagnosis from the onset of symptoms (pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia) has a delay of 8 to 12 years. For this reason, multiple investigations have been carried out for new less invasive diagnostic guidelines and to establish an effective universal medical treatment in this group of patients. Conclusion: With the advances made, it was possible to establish that the diagnosis should begin with bimanual vaginal examination and analysis of the symptomatology. As a second line, the authors agree that the best option is transvaginal ultrasound, followed or complemented by magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostic laparoscopy was dismissed as the gold standard. On the other hand, studies show that treatment should be managed on an individualized basis, according to the clinical evolution and desire of the pregnancy, and one can opt for drugs, surgery or in combination.