Endometriosis worsens mental health in infertile women

Infertility can take a harrowing emotional toll on women with endometriosis! Females with infertility issues having endometriosis experience notably higher levels of major depressive disorder with poorer quality of life compared to those dealing solely with infertility, findings of a recent study broadcasted in ‘BMC Women's Health’ concluded. This underscores the necessity for enhanced emotional support in infertility treatments, especially for those also suffering from endometriosis.

Globally, infertility affects about 10-15% of women, with endometriosis being a common underlying cause. Endometriosis causes severe pain and chronic inflammation which has been known to further complicate infertility.

The study headed by Dr. Lilian Pagano Mori at the Ideia Fertil Institute, Brazil, included 201 infertile women, 81 of whom also had endometriosis. The patient data was assembled by means of the Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton D and Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaires. 

The results pointed out that women with both conditions reported more severe depressive symptoms and lower quality of life scores across various domains compared to those with infertility alone. Despite similar anxiety levels, the combined impact of infertility and endometriosis significantly worsened their emotional well-being.