EMAS position statement: Managing the menopause in women with a past history of endometriosis

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age. The symptoms usually disappear after a natural or a surgical menopause. Estrogen-based hormone therapy is required in women with premature or early menopause until the average age of the natural menopause and should be considered in older women with severe climacteric symptoms. However use of hormone therapy raises concerns about disease recurrence with pain symptoms, need for surgery and possibly malignant transformation of residual endometriosis.