Women diagnosed with endometriosis experience higher rates of other health conditions, a new study released today has found.
The University of Queensland’s School of Public Health conducted a study on 7,606 women born between 1973 and 1978. The researchers surveyed these women every three years between 2009 and 2018 on their health and wellbeing.
The research discovered women with endometriosis are four times more likely to have severe period pain.
It also found mental health was twice as likely for women with endometriosis, as was back pain. Women with the condition were also 1.5 times more likely to have stiff and painful joints.
Dr Dereje Gete, the lead author of the University of Queensland’s study, said the Australian longitudinal research, which looked into multiple symptoms of endometriosis, was the first of its kind in the country,
“Other symptoms included bowel and urinary conditions, severe tiredness, difficulty sleeping, allergies, heart palpitations and headaches,” Dr Gete said.
“These broad range symptoms along with a tendency to normalise and dismiss period pain meant diagnosis took between 7 and 11 years on average.
“This delay significantly reduces quality of life by leaving the women to deal with untreated symptoms, more doctor and hospital visits, and potentially less success with fertility.”
Professor Gita Mishra, a senior author in the research, said the results illustrate how important it is to be diagnosed early and to receive treatment for endometriosis as soon as possible, in order to reduce the severity of symptoms.
“Further research is needed to understand how the immune system and inflammation are connected to broad range symptoms which may lead to improved treatments,” Professor Mishra said.
“Women with endometriosis should be encouraged to proactively manage their symptoms through lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery, to improve their quality of life and prevent further complications.”
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to lining in the uterus develops in other parts of the body. It can cause a number of symptoms ranging in severity. However, there is still limited research and knowledge on prevention and management of the condition.
More on endo
The latest research released today is based on data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health from the University of Queensland.
Earlier this year, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) gathered data from the University of Queensland’s study, finding one in seven women in their late 40s have endometriosis.
The AIHW also reported the rate of hospitalisation for endometriosis doubled among females aged 20-24 in the past decade. While in 2011-12 there were 330 hospitalisations per 100,000 females, this figure rose to 660 per 100,000 in 2021-22.
Over 2021-22, there were 40,500 endometriosis-related hospitalisations, or 312 hospitalisations per 100,000 females.
The inflammation and scarring from endometriosis causes women to experience symptoms such as pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, anxiety, depression, reduced fertility – to name a few.
Despite this data showing how common endometriosis is for women, the University of Queensland said it can still take up to 11 years (eight years on average) to receive a formal diagnosis for the condition.
The Australian government is investing in the condition, which affects approximately one in nine people who were assigned female at birth.
In 2018, the federal government announced a National Action Plan for Endometriosis, which invested $87.19 million into awareness, education and clinical management and care for the condition.