Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis
Halme, J.; Hammond, M.G.; Hulka, J.F.; Raj, S.G.; Talbert, L.M.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 64(2): 151-154
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 6234483 Document Number: 233227
Blood was found in the peritoneal fluid in 90% of women with patent tubes at laparoscopy during perimenstrual time. If the fallopian tubes were occluded, then only 15% of patients had evidence of blood in the pelvis. Also, 90% of patients with endometriosis and 8 of 9 women on oral contraceptives had bloody fluid during the menstrual period. Retrograde menstruation through the fallopain tubes into the peritoneal cavity apparently is a very common physiologic event in all menstruating women with patent tubes.