Endometriosis in Paris: diagnosis, medical treatment and surgery

By Dr Olivier Kadoch, obstetrician-gynaecologist · Updated 25/10/2026

In brief

Endometriosis, diagnosed and followed up at the practice in Paris (16th and 5th arrondissements), is the presence, outside the uterus, of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometriosis lesions). Its main symptoms are painful periods, pain during sex and sometimes infertility. Diagnosis is based on examination and imaging. Surgery is reserved for cases where medical treatment has failed, for some forms involving other organs and for some cases of infertility.

Key points

Its exact frequency is unknown; it is often estimated at around one woman in ten of reproductive age (CNGOF-HAS).
Periods that stop you doing your usual activities are not normal.
Diagnosis relies first on clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound, then on MRI if needed.
Medical treatment comes first; surgery is discussed case by case.

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Symptoms that should prompt a consultation

Painful periods that do not respond to usual painkillers or make you miss school or work
Deep pain during sex
Pain when opening your bowels or passing urine during your period
Pelvic pain outside your periods
Difficulty getting pregnant

Steps in endometriosis treatment in Paris

Step	Methods	Goal
Diagnosis	Transvaginal ultrasound, pelvic MRI	Confirm and map the lesions
First line	Painkillers, combined hormonal contraception or a levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system (hormonal coil)	Reduce pain
Second line	Another progestogen (desogestrel, dienogest), or a GnRH agonist or antagonist with add-back therapy	If first-line treatment fails or is not tolerated
Surgery	Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) to remove the lesions, with a urologist or bowel surgeon if needed	Persistent pain, organ involvement
Infertility	Surgery and/or assisted reproduction	Depending on age, ovarian reserve and the couple's fertility tests

Frequently asked questions

Is laparoscopy needed to make the diagnosis?

No. Current guidelines favour imaging (transvaginal ultrasound and MRI); laparoscopy is no longer a routine diagnostic test.

Does endometriosis prevent you from having a baby?

No, most women with endometriosis can conceive. It does, however, increase the risk of infertility. The approach is discussed according to your age, your ovarian reserve and your partner's test results.

Does all endometriosis need surgery?

No. Endometriosis that causes no troublesome symptoms and does not affect other organs does not need an operation.

Can endometriosis come back after surgery?

Yes. If you are not planning a pregnancy, combined hormonal contraception or a levonorgestrel hormonal coil is recommended after the operation to reduce this risk.

How long will I stay in hospital and be off work after endometriosis surgery?

As a rough guide, the hospital stay is usually 1 to 7 days and time off work 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how extensive the lesions are. Sex and baths can usually resume after 3 to 4 weeks, with no tampons during this time; sport after the post-operative appointment. Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic at Hôpital privé Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (Paris 5th), Clinique de la Muette (Paris 16th) or Clinique Ambroise Paré (Neuilly-sur-Seine); you are given a written estimate beforehand and instructions are adapted to each patient.

References

Collinet P, et al. [Management of endometriosis: CNGOF-HAS practice guidelines (short version)]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol, 2018. doi:10.1016/j.gofs.2018.02.027 — PMID 29550339

Becker CM, et al. ESHRE guideline: endometriosis. Hum Reprod Open, 2022. doi:10.1093/hropen/hoac009 — PMID 35350465

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