Clinical characterization of endometriosis phenotypes

Hofbeck L, Au K, Blum S, Sipulina N, Lotz L, Lermann JH, Renner SP, Fasching P, Beckmann M, Burghaus S (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Springer

DOI: 10.1007/s00404-025-08191-4

Abstract

Purpose: Endometriosis appears in various forms and symptoms. With regard to the established endometriosis classifications, it is hardly possible to draw conclusions from the endometriosis to the symptoms caused by it. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether different endometriosis phenotypes are associated with distinct pain profiles. Materials and methods: 3329 patients underwent surgical treatment for endometriosis at the University Endometriosis Center Franconia of the Erlangen University between September 2011 and January 2024. They were grouped by phenotype [superficial (SE), deep (DIE) and adenomyosis (AM)] and assessed for pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria and dyschezia. The study examined pain distribution across phenotypes and pain intensity among symptomatic patients (NRS > 0). Results: Patients with SE only reported pelvic pain less frequently and with lower intensity than those with additional AM Groups SE/AM and SE/DIE/AM. Dyspareunia was less common in Group SE only vs. Group SE/AM; pain intensity was highest in AM only and lowest in Group SE/DIE. Dysuria was most frequent in Group SE/DIE/AM, with no significant intensity differences. Dyschezia was more frequent in Group SE/DIE/AM and less in Group SE only, again without significant intensity differences. Conclusion: Pain frequency and intensity differed by endometriosis phenotype. SE showed the lowest pain frequency and pelvic pain intensity. AM, especially with other subtypes, was linked to higher frequency and intensity of pelvic pain, as well as more dyspareunia and dysuria. DIE was mainly associated with more frequent dyschezia, but not with increased pelvic pain intensity.

Authors with CRIS profile

Louisa Hofbeck Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Katharina Au Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Simon Blum Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Laura Lotz Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Peter Fasching Professur für Translationale Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe Matthias Beckmann Lehrstuhl für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde Stefanie Burghaus Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Involved external institutions

Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee AT Austria (AT) Klinikverbund Südwest (Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Calw, Nagold, Leonberg, Herrenberg) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Hofbeck, L., Au, K., Blum, S., Sipulina, N., Lotz, L., Lermann, J.H.,... Burghaus, S. (2025). Clinical characterization of endometriosis phenotypes. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-025-08191-4

MLA:

Hofbeck, Louisa, et al. "Clinical characterization of endometriosis phenotypes." Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2025).

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