Both endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common in a young lady and the diagnosis of either is challenging. Endometriosis disease is sometimes misdiagnosed with IBS for a period before a correct diagnosis is made by the clinician. The aim of this study was to assay the prevalence of IBS symptoms in women with endometriosis diagnosis.

A cross-sectional study was done in the Yas hospital. All women with endometriosis diagnosis whom referred to the Department of Gynecology were invited to participate in this study. All women completed a Birmingham questionnaire including gastrointestinal symptoms basis on Rome IV criteria for IBS, followed by assessment and examination by a gastroenterologist.

Among 150 cases of endometriosis, 54% (n=81) women met Rome IV criteria for IBS. 11.3% (n=17) patients had no GI symptoms and 34.7% (n=52) had GI symptoms but never fulfilled the IBS definition. Mean age of patients was 33.9 year. The most common GI symptom was flatulence in 50 % of patients. A positive family history of endometriosis was reported in 16.7% (n=25) of patients. There wasn’t any association between GI symptoms and deep localization of endometriosis lesions. Menses affecting GI symptoms in 45.3% (n=68) of patients. The average delay of between 2-8 years was reported by patients before confirmation of endometriosis diagnosis. 30% (n=45) of women had previously been diagnosed with IBS. Initiation of either combined oral contraceptives or progesterone for endometriosis had no effect on gastrointestinal symptoms.

In this study, IBS was reported in 54% of women with endometriosis diagnosis and 30% had a history of previous IBS diagnosis.