Endometriosis Increases by 60% in 4 Years... 40% of Cases in 20s and 30s

Suspected Endometrioma Causing Severe Menstrual Pain and Infertility

If you experience more severe menstrual pain than usual, you should suspect 'endometrioma,' which can cause infertility.

The main symptoms of endometrioma, which directly negatively affect pregnancy and childbirth, include menstrual pain, lower abdominal pain, dyspareunia, and vaginal bleeding. However, if the cyst is small or in its early stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms.

In most cases, it is discovered through health checkups rather than symptoms. Early treatment is necessary because delayed detection or neglect can lead to infertility and damage the normal ovarian tissue, worsening women's health.

Professor Yeonji Lee from Myongji Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology performing an ultrasound examination (Photo by Myongji Hospital)

Various types of cysts occur in the ovaries, most of which are filled with fluid. Depending on the substances that make up the cyst, they are classified as endometriomas, ovarian teratomas, mucinous cysts, etc.

Among these, endometriomas are filled with dark brown menstrual blood inside the cyst, resembling chocolate, hence called 'Chocolate cyst.'

Endometriosis has been steadily increasing, especially among women in their 20s and 30s, with a 60% rise in South Korean women over the past four years.

According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of endometriosis patients in South Korea was 178,383 in 2021, an increase of about 60% compared to 111,214 in 2017. Women in their 20s and 30s accounted for about 40% of the cases.

Professor Yeonji Lee of Myongji Hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said, "Endometrioma occurs when endometrial tissue abnormally proliferates in the ovaries due to endometriosis," adding, "Endometriosis and endometrioma negatively affect ovulation, fertilization, and implantation, so treatment is necessary."

Generally, diagnosis is possible through pelvic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatments for endometrioma include medication for pain management, hormone therapy to suppress endometrial proliferation, and surgical removal.

The treatment method is determined comprehensively based on the patient's symptoms and fertility status. If the cyst is small and there is no severe adhesion to surrounding organs, the cyst can be surgically removed; otherwise, the entire affected ovary may need to be excised.

In the past, open surgery was performed, but recently, robot-assisted surgery, which is advantageous for preserving fertility, is the trend for removing endometriomas. When the tumor is large, the contents inside the tumor are aspirated using instruments to reduce its size, then the ovary is incised to access it. Afterward, the tumor is carefully dissected and removed to minimize ovarian damage, and the incision site is sutured.

There is no way to prevent endometriosis or endometrioma itself. Therefore, for women of reproductive age, early detection and treatment of gynecological diseases through regular checkups are crucial.

Professor Yeonji Lee advised, "If you are planning to conceive, you should have regular gynecological examinations to check the uterus and ovaries," adding, "As with all diseases, missing the early treatment period can reduce uterine and ovarian function and increase the risk of infertility, so it is essential to undergo pelvic ultrasound and other gynecological examinations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.