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New research by geneticists from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia has found that depression and endometriosis often coincide, along with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions.
The researchers compared data from genetic databases looking for shared genetic risk factors for depression and endometriosis — and found 20 independent locations on the genome that were significant to both conditions, eight of which are new.
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While studies indicate the condition affects roughly one in 10 women, people with endometriosis go an average of six-and-a-half years before they get a diagnosis, according to Endometriosis Australia.
The mucus that lines the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium, normally thickens and sheds in accordance with a woman's monthly cycle.
But for those with endometriosis, the lining grows outside the uterus. It still thickens and sheds but cannot exit the body, leading to irritation and inflammation.
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Adhesions can often form in the pelvic area, and blood-filled 'chocolate cysts' sometimes develop in the ovaries. The condition has no known cure, but treatment to help ease their symptoms is available. Endometriosis can cause severe pain and is usually treated with painkillers, hormone therapy, or surgery.
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According to Medical News Today, experts think that the chronic pelvic pain (CPP) associated with endometriosis plays a role in the development of depression. This severe, ongoing pain can significantly affect a person’s everyday life. They may have to call in sick to work or school, cancel plans with friends, and withdraw from intimate relationships because of their symptoms. As a result, their mental health can worsen.
Alongside anxiety or depression, people with endometriosis may also have lower self-esteem and a more negative body image.
This could relate to the functional limitations of their bodies. However, it can also be a result of physical changes that many people with endometriosis experience, which include:
- Surgery scars
- Unintentional weight gain from hormonal therapy
- Tiredness and lethargy from heavy bleeding and anaemia
- Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, reduced libido, and vaginal dryness
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Extra Source: Medical News Today
