Questionnaire-based prevalence of endometriosis and its symptoms in jordanian women

Abstract

The true prevalence and risk factors for endometriosis in Jordanian women are not known. To estimate the prevalence of endometriosis, risk factors and related health problems in Jordanian women aged 15-55 years. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Among the all-female participants (n=1772) endometriosis diagnosis was reported in 45 participants. Hence, the prevalence of endometriosis was 2.5% (45/1772). Endometriosis was more prevalent in those with long menstrual cycle (e"7 days; n=18; 40%) and with frequent menstrual cycles (d" 21 days; n=14; 31.1%; p<0.001). Moreover, endometriosis was more prevalent in those with university education (23/45) and in divorced women (23/45). In participants with endometriosis, dyspareunia was more prevalent than in those without endometriosis (n=15; 48.4% and n=105; 27.8%, respectively; p=0.015). Women with endometriosis are more likely to have ovarian cysts (n=9; 20% vs n=122; 7.1%), a history of ovarian cystectomy (n=14; 31.1% vs n=24; 1.4%), an abnormal Pap smear (n=4; 8.9% vs n=2; 0.1%), and asthma (n=3; 6.7% vs n=39; 2.3%), with an overall p-value of <0.001. In our study, the prevalence of endometriosis was 2.5%. Frequent and prolonged periods, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility are associated with endometriosis in Jordanian women.