Endometriosis can have a big emotional impact. This can be because of the distress or discomfort that comes with physical symptoms as well as the impact of socially navigating the reality of having endometriosis. This article will summarise the emotional impact of the physical experience and the practical and social emotional aspects.
Physically, symptoms vary from person to person. However, it is very common for endometriosis to be accompanied by pain and this can be really severe. Depending on the stage of endometriosis and where it appears, it can also change how organs are functioning. For example, endometriosis on the bowel may change the fluidity of digestion. Pain and disruption to regular physical functioning has a tremendous effect on how we feel. There are higher rates of depression and anxiety in those with endometriosis precisely because of this 1, 2
Diagnosis takes on average 8 years. 3 This is an incredibly long period of uncertainty, dealing with physical symptoms and navigating healthcare systems. That takes a big emotional toll. This journey can be particularly traumatic for people who experience a lot of dismissal, because it means that they are left with debilitating symptoms and the message that they are alone to deal with them. Unfortunately, there is not enough emphasis on the negative emotional impact of healthcare dismissal in the research. 4
It is also important to note that our minds and bodies are interconnected. What we experience as emotions are represented in the brain and in the body via the nervous system. This impacts how the immune system functions, how our guts function, how pain sensation is produced and much more. Therefore, working with the emotional effects of endometriosis is also really important for the physical experience.
Working with the emotional impact of endometriosis does not mean trying to chase all bad feelings away. Instead think of it as finding a way to create a safe environment to acknowledge the difficult feelings and process them. That means connecting with those feelings. This can be a scary prospect and yet it is fundamental to free you up to do more of the pragmatic problem solving that is needed to navigate endometriosis. Having a support network who gets it can really help with this process. If it all feels too much and too overwhelming, find a therapist or psychologist who is experienced in using psychological approaches specifically for endometriosis or health issues. You can of course always join the ENDOubt community and ask a question.
REFERENCES:
1. Kigloo, H. N., Itani, R., Montreuil, T., Feferkorn, I., Raina, J., Tulandi, T., ... & Suarthana, E. (2024). Endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression: A retrospective study among 12 million women. Journal of Affective Disorders, 346, 260-265.
2. van Barneveld, E., Manders, J., van Osch, F. H., van Poll, M., Visser, L., van Hanegem, N., ... & Leue, C. (2022). Depression, anxiety, and correlating factors in endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of women's health, 31(2), 219-230.
3. Ghai, V., Jan, H., Shakir, F., Haines, P., & Kent, A. (2020). Diagnostic delay for superficial and deep endometriosis in the United Kingdom. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 40(1), 83-89.
4. Kalfas, M., Chisari, C., & Windgassen, S. (2022). Psychosocial factors associated with pain and health‐related quality of life in Endometriosis: A systematic review. European Journal of Pain, 26(9), 1827-1848.
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