Association Noted Between Pelvic Pain, Poorer Mental Health Outcomes in Women With Endometriois

There is an association between pelvic pain and poorer mental health outcomes in women with endometriosis, a new study published in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology suggests.

The report’s researchers assessed 110 patients with surgically-diagnosed endometriosis and 61 healthy controls. Study participants completed two psychometric tests assessing quality of life, anxiety, and depression. Those with endometriosis indicated on a numerical rating scale the intensity of four types of pain: dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pelvic pain, and dyschezia.

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Women with asymptomatic endometriosis were less likely to experience anxiety and depression than those who have pelvic pain, the researchers also noted.

“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 can affect mental health in different ways,” said a spokesperson from Taylor & Francis, publisher of the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, in a statement.

The spokesperson continued: “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.”

Reference

Federica F, Giussy B, Emanuela S, et al. Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and mental health: pelvic pain makes the difference. J. Psychosom. Obstet. Gynecol, 2015; 36 (4): 135, doi: 10.3109/0167482X.2015.1074173.