Pelvic Pain From Endometriosis Linked To Poorer Mental Health

Women who suffer from pelvic pain as a result of endometriosis may require psychological intervention to help improve both their mental health and quality of life, according to a recent study.

"Not only do we know just how much impact pelvic pain can have on quality of life, but we've also learned that different types of endometriosis pain (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pelvic pain and dyschezia) can affect mental health in different ways," researchers said, in a news release. "This means that in assessing patient symptoms and pain types, doctors will be able to provide them with the most appropriate type of psychological intervention to improve their quality of life."

Researchers found that women dealing with asymptomatic endometriosis--or those who are not dealing with pain--are not as likely to deal with depression or anxiety as those suffering from pelvic problems.

Previous research has shown how detrimental endometriosis, known as a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, according to the Mayo Clinic, can drastically harm the quality of life. Yet, this new information could make it easier for doctors to recognise the need for emphasis on pain experiences and pointers to when patients with endometriosis may be in need of psychological intervention.

The study is published in the journal Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology.

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