A new study has revealed the long-term impact of endometriosis on women’s health, even after their reproductive years have ended.
Approximately 1 in 10 women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, affecting over 1.5 million people, with an average wait of 8 years for a diagnosis while enduring severe symptoms.
The condition, which occurs when tissue similar to the uterus lining grows elsewhere in the body, can cause pain, fertility issues and other problems.
While menopause can see symptoms usually improve or disappear, the study suggests that the effects of endometriosis can extend beyond this period.
The research, conducted by a team from various US universities, found that endometriosis and uterine fibroids may increase the long-term risk of premature death, extending beyond the reproductive lifespan.
Both conditions were linked to an increased risk of death due to gynaecological cancers, while endometriosis was also associated with an increased risk of non-cancer related death.
Published in the esteemed medical journal BMJ, a new study unveils alarming numbers by following 110,091 women aged 25 to 42 from 1989 who hadn’t undergone a hysterectomy.
During extended follow-ups, over 4,000 premature deaths were documented; cancer was responsible for 1,459 deaths, cardiovascular diseases claimed 304 lives, and respiratory diseases resulted in 90 fatalities.
It turned out women with confirmed uterine fibroids via ultrasound or surgery did not exhibit increased odds of premature death.
However, a starker picture emerged for women’s risk of dying from malignant neoplasm of gynaecological organs — in plain terms, cancerous tumours developing in the reproductive tract.
Interestingly, while past research has drawn parallels between endometriosis and an enhanced risk of gynaecological cancer, investigation into the actual mortality risk this condition presents to women has been sparse.
The study’s authors pointedly stated: “These findings highlight the importance for primary care providers to consider both conditions in their assessment of women’s health.”