Endometriosis Beyond the Body: A Review of Its Impact on Mental Health, Sexual Function, and Fertility
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This review evaluated endometriosis's impact on mental health, sexual function, and fertility, emphasizing diagnostic delays and social stigma, and concluded that a holistic approach is crucial for improving patients' quality of life.
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This paper is a narrative review evaluating how endometriosis affects women’s mental health, sexual functioning, and fertility, with emphasis on diagnostic delay and social stigma, using literature published in PubMed and Google Scholar from 2017–2025. Across the cited studies, the review highlights associations between endometriosis-related symptoms (including chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and dyspareunia) and outcomes such as depression, anxiety, reduced self-esteem, social isolation, and fertility impairment. It also notes that sexual dysfunction likely reflects both physical symptoms and psychological factors, and that diagnostic delay remains a major barrier, reported as roughly 7–11 years. The main limitation is that, as a literature review, it does not provide new original data and relies on study selection without additional details on appraisal methods. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically, it synthesizes evidence on endometriosis impacts beyond the body in mental health, sexual function, and fertility.
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Abstract
Introduction:Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent condition affecting up to 15% of women of reproductive age. It is associated with pain, infertility, and a significant reduction in quality of life. Despite increasing awareness, the average diagnostic delay remains between 7 and 11 years. The disease is characterized by chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, dyspareunia, and emotional distress, which may contribute to depression, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and social isolation. Sexual dysfunction arises from both physical symptoms and psychological factors. Endometriosis is also recognized as a leading cause of infertility. Objective:The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on women’s mental health, sexual functioning, and fertility, with particular emphasis on diagnostic delays and social stigma. Methods and materials: A literature review was conducted using publications available in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2017-2025. The most relevant and recent studies were selected using appropriate keywords. Conclusions:Endometriosis requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical management with psychological and sexual health support. Addressing mental health and social well-being is essential for improving overall quality of life in affected women. Early diagnosis and the reduction of stigma remain key challenges in contemporary clinical practice.
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Introduction
Endometriosis is a chronic, hormone-dependent condition affecting up to 15% of women of reproductive age. It is associated with pain, infertility, and a significant reduction in quality of life. Despite increasing awareness, the average diagnostic delay remains between 7 and 11 years. The disease is characterized by chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, dyspareunia, and emotional distress, which may contribute to depression, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and social isolation. Sexual dysfunction arises from both physical symptoms and psychological factors. Endometriosis is also recognized as a leading cause of infertility.
Objective
The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on women’s mental health, sexual functioning, and fertility, with particular emphasis on diagnostic delays and social stigma.
Methods
and materials:
A literature review was conducted using publications available in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2017-2025. The most relevant and recent studies were selected using appropriate keywords.
Conclusions
Endometriosis requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical management with psychological and sexual health support. Addressing mental health and social well-being is essential for improving overall quality of life in affected women. Early diagnosis and the reduction of stigma remain key challenges in contemporary clinical practice.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gabriela Babiarz, Damian Osiński, Zuzanna Kawa, Maria Kasprzak, Aleksandra Jędrzejewska, Aleksandra Jureczko, Klaudia Kleczaj, Łukasz Starczewski, Julia Jaworowska, Julia Kanarszczuk
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