WOMEN with endometriosis are at a higher risk of depression because they are triggered by the same genes, according to a study.
One in 10 women have the condition, including Molly-Mae Hague and Baby Spice Emma Bunton.
It causes tissue similar to the womb lining to develop in parts of the body where it shouldn’t, resulting in crippling pain during periods and flare-ups.
Little is known about what causes it but Yale University researchers found a common gene could be linked to both endometriosis and mental health disorders.
Lead author Dr Dora Koller said it is the first research to find the link.
She said: “This study contributes to the increasing evidence that endometriosis is a systemic disease that affects women’s mental and physical health.”
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Endometriosis affects around 1.5million in the UK — around the same number of women as diabetes.
However, many are not diagnosed for around eight years because symptoms are similar to other health problems.
They include pelvic pain, and pain during periods, sex or when using the toilet, as well as feeling sick, constipation or diarrhoea.
Treatments include painkillers, hormone medicines and sometimes surgery.
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The study, published in JAMA Network Open, tracked rates of mental health issues in around 200,000 women without the condition and 8,000 who have it.
Researchers found women with endometriosis were 3.6 times more likely to have depression, 2.9 times more likely to have eating disorders and 2.6 times more likely to have anxiety.
They found a common gene may increase the risk of both the condition and the mental health problems.
Dr Koller said that while chronic pain is likely to be a factor behind increased rates of depression, it was not the only thing behind the risk.
What are the symtoms of endometriosis?
Some common symptoms of endometriosis are:
- pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period
- period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
- pain during or after sex
- pain when peeing or pooing during your period
- feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period
- difficulty getting pregnant
Source: NHS England
She said: “Our results highlight that chronic pain does not completely explain the increased odds of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders observed in endometriosis cases.
“In mice, the effect of endometriosis on hippocampus, amygdala, and insula appears to cause pain sensitization and mood disorders.”
Writing in the study, she added: “These findings highlight that endometriosis is associated with women’s mental health through pleiotropic mechanisms.
“To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale study to provide genetic and phenotypic evidence of the processes underlying the psychiatric comorbidities of endometriosis.”
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