Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and mental health: pelvic pain makes the difference

Federica Facchin, Giussy Barbara, Giussy Barbàra, Emanuela Saita, Paola Mosconi, Roberto Ratiglia, Anna Roberto, Luigi Fedele, Paolo Vercellini
Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology · 2015 · vol. 36(4) , pp. 135–141 · doi:10.3109/0167482x.2015.1074173 · PMID:26328618 · W1888201325
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Endometriosis patients with pelvic pain report worse quality of life and mental health compared to asymptomatic patients and healthy controls, with non-menstrual pelvic pain impacting all measured variables.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: No prior study of endometriosis has investigated the psychological impact of having asymptomatic endometriosis versus endometriosis with pelvic pain in a systematic way. This study aimed at examining the impact of endometriosis on quality of life, anxiety and depression by comparing asymptomatic endometriosis, endometriosis with pelvic pain, and healthy, pain-free controls. The psychological impact of different types of endometriosis pain was also tested. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with surgically diagnosed endometriosis (78 with pelvic pain and 32 without pain symptoms) and 61 healthy controls completed two psychometric tests assessing quality of life, anxiety and depression. Endometriosis participants indicated on a numerical rating scale the intensity of four types of pain (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pelvic pain and dyschezia). RESULTS: Endometriosis patients with pelvic pain had poorer quality of life and mental health as compared with those with asymptomatic endometriosis and the healthy controls. No significant differences were found between asymptomatic endometriosis and the control group. Dysmenorrhea had significant effects only on physical quality of life; non-menstrual pelvic pain affected all the variables; no significant effects were found for dyspareunia and dyschezia. CONCLUSIONS: Pain significantly affects women's experience of endometriosis. The medical treatment of endometriosis with pain may not be sufficient and psychological intervention is recommended.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004412mesh:D004414mesh:D004715mesh:D017699endometriosisdysmenorrheadyspareunia

MeSH descriptors

Anxiety Anxiety Anxiety Depression Depression Depression Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Quality of Life Adult Constipation

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