Stenosis of the external cervical os: an association with endometriosis in women with chronic pelvic pain

Objective: To report a simple technique for diagnosing stenosis of the external cervical os and to evaluate an association between stenosis of the external cervical os and endometriosis in women with chronic pelvic pain. Design: Case series. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): Twenty-five women with chronic pelvic pain and stenosis of the external cervical os. Intervention(s): Measurement of the diameter of the external cervical os. Main Outcome Measure(s): Association between cervical stenosis and surgically documented endometriosis in women with chronic pelvic pain. Result(s): Endometriosis was visually documented at surgery for 24 of 25 women with chronic pelvic pain and stenosis of the external cervical os. Conclusion(s): Endometriosis is a common finding in women with both stenosis of the external cervical os and chronic pelvic pain.