Responsible SIG: SIG endometriosis and endometrium Chair: Dr. G. Dunselman Current status of the guideline: (last update: 4/1/2012)The guideline development group is currently busy with the selection and synthesis of evidence.The next GDG group meeting is planned for April 2012. Scope of the Guideline: Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrium outside the uterus. As a response to the ectopic proliferation of ectopic endometrium scarring and inflammation within the abdominal cavity occur, resulting in pain and subfertility. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is unknown but estimates range from 10% in the general population to 50% in women with subfertility. Women with endometriosis experience a significantly reduced quality of life. There is a delay in diagnosing endometriosis and a wide variety of clinical practice in the management of the disease. This results in many women either being delayed in receiving care or receiving sub optimal care. This guideline will offer best practice advice on the care of women with endometriosis. Information will be provided on the diagnostic approach for endometriosis, including the symptomatology, clinical examination and the utilization of medical technologies . Treatments for endometriosis, both medical treatment, non pharmacological treatments and surgery, will be discussed for both relief of painful symptoms and for subfertility due to endometriosis. The effectiveness of medically assisted reproduction for endometriosis associated infertility will also be discussed. Finally, information will be provided for specific subgroups of patients, i.e. adolescents, women in whom endometriosis is found incidentally during laparoscopies for other indications, women with a familial predisposition and women with a history of endometriosis.