Traumatic experiences and genetics may increase risk of endometriosis, according to a new study
09/04/2025
Dora Koller et al.
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Postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Biology
Dora Koller et al.
Postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Biology
Endometriosis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. The most common symptom is debilitating pelvic pain before and during menstruation or intercourse. It can also cause infertility and digestive problems such as painful bowel movements, among many other symptoms. It affects a staggering 10-15% of women of reproductive age: around 190 million people worldwide.
Despite its prevalence, researchers have not yet found a definitive cause for endometriosis. However, our recent study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that mental health may contribute to increased risk.
Our study, published in JAMA Psychiatry in February 2025, reveals that women with endometriosis have suffered traumatic experiences and stressful events, both in childhood and adulthood, at a higher rate than those without the disease.
We based our research on the clinical and genetic information available from nearly 250,000 women participants enrolled in the UK Biobank, which included more than 8,000 patients with this condition. We combined this information with genetic data from the FinnGen Project and several other cohorts: a total of more than 500,000 women and more than 30,000 cases of endometriosis.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.
Our study, published in JAMA Psychiatry in February 2025, reveals that women with endometriosis have suffered traumatic experiences and stressful events, both in childhood and adulthood, at a higher rate than those without the disease.
We based our research on the clinical and genetic information available from nearly 250,000 women participants enrolled in the UK Biobank, which included more than 8,000 patients with this condition. We combined this information with genetic data from the FinnGen Project and several other cohorts: a total of more than 500,000 women and more than 30,000 cases of endometriosis.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.