Definition:

Endometriosis is defined as the growth of the endometrial glands and stroma at extra-uterine sites, which are most commonly implanted over and under visceral and peritoneal surfaces within the female pelvis but which can also be found in the connective tissue in the pelvis areas and, more rarely, in any anatomic district. It is a major cause of infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, mediated by marked pelvic inflammation. While retrograde menstruation is the most widely accepted cause, its pathogenesis and natural course are not fully understood. Endometriosis is known to be an estrogen-dependent disease, manifests during reproductive years.