Literature Search

A broad search was performed using PubMed in the MEDLINE database with the following free terms: “Endometriosis,” “Sexual quality of life,” “Quality of sex life,” “Sexuality,” “SQoL,” “Sexual life,” “Sex life.” The Medical Subject Headings terms “Endometriosis,” “Quality of life,” “Sex,” and “Sexuality” were added to this search. Titles and abstracts of the resulting 242 hits were screened for eligibility. After screening, 40 relevant articles remained.

Additionally, a search in the Cochrane Library was carried out using the Medical Subject Headings descriptors “Endometriosis” and “Quality of Life.” This search yielded 3 reviews of which only one was relevant to the subject of this study.

Furthermore, of the included articles, reference lists were screened and relevant articles were also included. Full text and English language articles that applied to the subject of this study were read and potential characteristics of the influence on SQoL were identified.