Early Menstrual Characteristics in a Group of Sri Lankan Women with Endometriosis in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

I. INTRODUCTION Endometriosis is defined as the presence of active endometrial mucosa; which can be either glands or stroma, abnormally implanted in locations other than the uterine cavity. 1 Endometriosis is a common, poorly understood and extremely debilitating benign gynaecological condition which affect both physically and psychologically. Despite extensive research, the aetiology of endometriosis remains elusive. Several theories exist that attempt to explain this disease, but none have been entirely proven. But these ectopic foci respond to cyclical hormonal fluctuations in much the same way as intrauterine endometrium, with proliferation, secretory activity, and cyclical sloughing of menstrual material leading to an altered inflammatory response characterized by neovascularization and fibrosis. Endometriosis is classified under 4 stages depending on location, extent, and depth the implants, presence of adhesions and presence of ovarian endometriosis. However the severity or stage doesn’t correlate with the symptoms of endometriosis.2