Nearly 40% of women with endometriosis report worsening of their symptoms since the pandemic began, according to a new study from the University of Oxford published in the journal Reproduction and Fertility.¹

Demetriou et al undertook a study to examine the effect of the pandemic on women with endometriosis. They conducted a survey of 4717 women with self-reported surgical/radiological diagnosis of endometriosis from May through June 2020. Online questionnaires were used to obtain information about current symptoms and changes in the symptoms (pelvic pain, bleeding pattern, tiredness/fatigue) since the beginning of the pandemic. The impact on their mental health (depression and/or anxiety) was also assessed.

Overall, the participants reported that their symptoms had significantly aggravated since the pandemic began; 39.3% reported worsening of endometriosis-associated pain, 39.6% reported change in bleeding patterns, while nearly half (49.9%) of them said they felt more tired or fatigued. Around 38.6% reported deterioration in mental health. Those who reported increased fatigue or worsening of pain had worse mental health.

This study highlights the impact of the stress of the pandemic on women with endometriosis, not just physical health but also mental health. The disruption of healthcare services during the lockdown and fear of getting the infection in the early phase of the pandemic made healthcare facilities inaccessible or difficult to access, greatly contributing to the stress.

When evaluating patients with endometriosis, the authors call for adopting a “holistic” approach. The treating clinicians must keep the impact of stressful events on the clinical presentation and chalk out an individualized treatment plan, which also includes psychotherapy to help patients manage their symptoms for a better quality of life.

Reference

1.    Demetriou L, et al. Stressful experiences impact clinical symptoms in people with endometriosis. Reprod Fertil. 2022 Nov 4;3(4):262-272. https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-22-0028