Endometriosis-The scapegoat for pelvic pain?

Abstract

Cyclic and noncyclic chronic pelvic pain (CPP) represent a major problem for both affected patients and healthcare providers due to its effects on physical and mental health. In times of social media and digitalization, awareness of endometriosis as a leading cause of CPP is increasing. However, a close look at the current literature does not support endometriosis as the predominant and most common cause of pelvic pain syndromes and associated morbidities. Consequently, other or additional factors may be overlooked, complex pain mechanisms simplified, and symptoms misunderstood, resulting in less optimal treatment concepts. This commentary underlines the necessity to evaluate patients with CPP and suspected endometriosis in a multifactorial and holistic context to provide a better framework of patient care.