How common is the symptom Depression among people with endometriosis?
85,98% of people with endometriosis reported Depression as a symptom of endometriosis in our survey.
How common is the symptom Depression among people with endometriosis compared to the non-affected group?
13,96% of people with endometriosis suffer from the symptom Depression very strong compared to a prevalence of 4,40% among non-affected individuals.
The following table shows the symptom Depression in people with endometriosis compared to non-affected individuals. The scale ranges from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very strong).
| Symptom severity | Endometriosis | Non-affected | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| not at all | 14,02% | 42,77% | -28,75% |
| slightly | 18,29% | 22,64% | -4,35% |
| moderate | 27,87% | 18,87% | 9,00% |
| strong | 25,85% | 11,32% | 14,53% |
| very strong | 13,96% | 4,40% | 9,56% |
Based on the datasets, we calculated the Kendall correlation. The following symptoms could be related to Depression.
| Symptom name | Correlation |
|---|---|
| Exhaustion / Fatigue | moderate correlation (34,00%) |
| Abdominal pain outside the lower abdomen | weak correlation (24,00%) |
| Headaches / Migraine | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Nausea | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Joint pain | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Shortness of breath | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Dizziness | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Limb pain | weak correlation (20,00%) |
Endometriosis is a physical disease and not a psychosomatic disorder. The symptoms of endometriosis have purely physical causes: these range from severe pain and abnormal bleeding to digestive symptoms and (reduced) fertility. These pronounced symptoms place an immense burden on you, which can foster the development of depression. This means: depression can be a consequence of endometriosis and not the other way around.
In women with endometriosis, tissue that resembles the uterine lining (endometrium) grows not only inside the uterus but also in other parts of the body. Pelvic organs are usually affected. However, the bowel, the diaphragm, and even the lungs can also be involved. The so-called endometriosis lesions, driven by the hormonal cycle, first swell and then bleed. If the blood cannot leave the body, cysts may form, or inflammation, adhesions, and scarring can develop. This triggers severe pain in many women. Because endometriosis lesions can also involve certain nerves, it can even lead to leg or shoulder pain. In addition, the symptoms are not “only” limited to the time of your period, but can become chronic. This means that you may suffer continuously from the physical symptoms of endometriosis.
The pain and other physical symptoms severely limit your quality of life. Studies have shown increased absenteeism from work and reduced participation in social activities. Pain, job insecurity, a lack of understanding from those around you, and reduced social contact increase the likelihood of developing mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression. Depression is a serious mental illness in which your emotions and perceptions are marked by inner emptiness, hopelessness, anxiety, and lack of drive. Depression can also cause physical symptoms such as loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and headaches. Depression always requires treatment, because you cannot get out of this situation on your own.