Childhood Abuse Is Related To The Risk Of Endometriosis

A recent study that included more than 60,000 women shows that child abuse might be linked to the condition of endometriosis - a disorder that causes the tissue, endometrium, to grow outside uterus. It normally grows inside. This can cause pain around the pelvis and sometimes, infertility. Researchers found that 31% of the 60,595 premenopausal women with endometriosis reported that they suffered from physical abuse during their childhood. 12% reported sexual abuse and 21% both kinds of abuses. The numbers are pretty surprising even though they are in line with the cases of abuses done in other research work. The study is the largest of its kind.

There were strong associations among women whose endometriosis was found due to symptoms of pain. This might be because abuse causes chronic pelvic pain and the same trauma might activate in the system later on. With women who had severe abuse, the risk increased by 79%. This is a relative risk and not an absolute risk. The study definitely doesn't conclude that all women with endometriosis suffered from abuse.

Endometriosis is quite prevalent but the exact causes of the condition are not yet known. Genetics and environmental factors are listed as the potential causes. The condition can be managed by birth control or laparoscopic surgery but relief might be delayed till the women reaches her 30s or 40s.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/childhood-abuse-linked-to-risk-of-endometriosis#3