How common is the symptom Fainting among people with endometriosis?
38,43% of people with endometriosis reported Fainting as a symptom of endometriosis in our survey.
How common is the symptom Fainting among people with endometriosis compared to the non-affected group?
3,18% of people with endometriosis suffer from the symptom Fainting very strong compared to a prevalence of 0,00% among non-affected individuals.
The following table shows the symptom Fainting 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 | 61,57% | 89,94% | -28,36% |
| slightly | 14,93% | 9,43% | 5,50% |
| moderate | 13,02% | 0,63% | 12,39% |
| strong | 7,29% | 0,00% | 7,29% |
| very strong | 3,18% | 0,00% | 3,18% |
Based on the datasets, we calculated the Kendall correlation. The following symptoms could be related to Fainting.
| Symptom name | Correlation |
|---|---|
| Dizziness | moderate correlation (34,00%) |
| Nausea | weak correlation (26,00%) |
| Chills | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Numbness in legs | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Fever | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Loss of appetite | weak correlation (20,00%) |
Fainting, circulatory collapse, blackout, or loss of consciousness: all these terms describe the same phenomenon. You temporarily lose consciousness, usually for only a few seconds. Clinicians refer to this as “syncope.” The cause is typically a transient reduction in blood flow to the brain. There are many different factors that can lead to fainting. Endometriosis can also be a trigger for recurrent fainting episodes.
Fainting is caused, among other things, by a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system reacts reflexively to intense stimuli: the blood vessels dilate and blood pools in the lower regions of the body. The heartbeat also slows. This briefly but markedly disrupts circulation, leading to an undersupply of oxygen to the brain. This autonomic response is not under voluntary control; it occurs automatically. Severe pain is among the stimuli that can trigger fainting.
In people with endometriosis, clusters of endometrial-like tissue are found outside the uterus. These endometriotic lesions primarily grow in the pelvis but can also occur throughout the abdomen and even in the lungs. The growths proliferate under the influence of the hormonal cycle and then bleed. Because the blood in most cases cannot leave the body, bleeding occurs into the abdominal cavity or into surrounding tissues. The consequences can include inflammation, adhesions, scarring, and cyst formation. Due to these anatomical changes as well as heavier bleeding, many people with endometriosis—especially during menstruation—experience extreme pain. According to more recent investigations from the United Kingdom, endometriosis pain ranks among the most severe pain that humans have to endure. Therefore, endometriosis can be a causal factor in recurrent fainting episodes.
If you suffer from recurrent fainting episodes, you must have them evaluated by a doctor. On the one hand, acute conditions may be the cause; on the other, a fainting episode can put you in danger. Only after comprehensive diagnostics can a treatment plan be developed to prevent future fainting episodes.