Diagnosis and treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis: an overview
Abstract
Rectovaginal endometriosis can be a cause of severe pain, dyspareunia and intestinal problems. A thorough examination is needed and should include diagnostic imaging, such as transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Medical therapies, such as oral contraceptives, progestins and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices, all seem to reduce pain and should always be considered. Surgical treatment is challenging and implies a risk of severe complications. It is preferable to treat endometriotic lesions with superficial infiltration into the rectal wall by local laparoscopic excision, while segmental rectal resection is needed in the case of severe intestinal infiltration. This review describes available diagnostic tools, the possibilities for medical treatment and the alternative surgical approaches.
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Side effects and limited suitability for women actively seeking pregnancy restrict hormonal treatment use in some patients.
“Nevertheless, side effects and limited suitability for women actively seeking pregnancy restrict its use in some patients. [11, 18].”
From Pain and functional outcomes after surgical versus hormonal treatment in rectovaginal endometriosis: a retrospective cohort study (2026) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- KRUSE, C., SEYER‐HANSEN, M., & FORMAN, A.
- Affiliations
- Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
- Venue
- Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-02-28
- Volume
- 91
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 648-657
- ISSN
- 0001-6349 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0412
- OpenAlex
- W1946293703
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gynecological conditions and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
- Keywords
- rectovaginal endometriosis, dyspareunia, intestinal endometriosis, diagnostic imaging, transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, oral contraceptives, progestins, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, medical therapy, laparoscopic resection, surgical complications
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Intravaginal, Barium Sulfate, Colon, Constipation, Contraceptive Agents, Female, Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal, Contrast Media, Danazol, Diagnostic Imaging, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspareunia, Endometriosis, Enema, Estrogen Antagonists, Female, Humans, Intrauterine Devices, Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Laparoscopy, Postoperative Complications, Rectal Diseases, Rectum, Vagina, Vaginal Diseases, Endoscopy, Digestive System, Levonorgestrel, Pelvic Pain, Progesterone Congeners, Aromatase Inhibitors
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