A recent study conducted in the United States, using data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) from 2011 to 2019, reveals the significant impact of endometriosis on women’s quality of life. The study found that more than two-thirds of women with endometriosis experience severe pain that leads them to miss work or school, affecting their day-to-day lives. This research, published in the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders, analyzed 17,619 women aged 20-44, of whom 1,024 were diagnosed with endometriosis, while 16,595 had never been diagnosed with the condition.

The inclusion criteria for the study focused on women aged 20-44 who had been diagnosed with endometriosis, and participants were selected from NSFG data collected between 2011 and 2019. Women outside the specified age range and those with missing data for key variables were excluded from the analysis. The study aimed to explore factors such as poverty, education, race, sexual orientation, and functional impairment related to endometriosis, shedding light on the characteristics of affected women.

One key finding of the study was the significant disparities in diagnosing endometriosis among women of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Black and Hispanic women were found to be less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis, a trend that the authors attribute to healthcare bias and unequal access to medical care. The historical neglect and different healthcare practices applied to minority women, combined with their genetic makeup, may contribute to this lower rate of diagnosis. The study highlighted that only 6.7% of the entire U.S. population is diagnosed with endometriosis, and due to this condition, 67% of affected women miss work or school, significantly impairing their quality of life.

Endometriosis is a concerning condition that affects women in various painful ways. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, but sometimes on distant organs such as the lungs or even the brain. These abnormal lesions can cause major disruptions in the body, from hormonal imbalances to disruptions in the menstrual cycle. The pain and complications associated with endometriosis often remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leaving many women to suffer in silence.

The study also explored the relationship between endometriosis and sexual orientation. It was found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer women have a 54% higher chance of being diagnosed with endometriosis compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This was the first study to investigate the effects of sexual orientation on endometriosis diagnosis, providing new insights into the disparities in healthcare experiences for LGBTQ+ women.

The research also underscored the economic burden of endometriosis in the U.S. The estimated lifetime cost for a patient with endometriosis is about $27,855 per year, contributing to a national expenditure of approximately $22 billion annually on healthcare related to this condition. The economic impact of missed workdays, reduced productivity, and healthcare expenses is a significant concern that warrants further attention.

In addition to the economic and racial disparities, the study revealed that certain factors, such as being non-heterosexual, having uterine fibroids, and being covered by Medicare, were linked to higher odds of endometriosis. In contrast, lower odds were observed among Black or Hispanic women and those living in metropolitan areas. These findings emphasise the need for more longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term impact of endometriosis on quality of life and infertility, especially among diverse populations.

Reference:

1. Al-Lami, Rasha A., Shaden A. Taha, Randa J. Jalloul, and Hugh S. Taylor. “Women with Endometriosis in the United States: National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2019.” Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders 8 (December 2024): 100081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeud.2024.100081.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)