Loss of appetite as a symptom of endometriosis

How common is the symptom Loss of appetite among people with endometriosis?

53,88% of people with endometriosis reported Loss of appetite as a symptom of endometriosis in our survey.

How common is the symptom Loss of appetite among people with endometriosis compared to the non-affected group?

4,75% of people with endometriosis suffer from the symptom Loss of appetite very strong compared to a prevalence of 1,26% among non-affected individuals.
The following table shows the symptom Loss of appetite in people with endometriosis compared to non-affected individuals. The scale ranges from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very strong).

Symptom Loss of appetite in endometriosis - comparison with control group

Loss of appetite in endometriosis
(n = 1728)
46,12%
20,43%
18,63%
10,07%
4,75%
Loss of appetite in non-affected individuals
(n = 159)
67,92%
16,35%
8,81%
5,66%
1,26%

Tabular comparison of the prevalence of Loss of appetite

Symptom severity Endometriosis Non-affected Comparison
not at all 46,12% 67,92% -21,80%
slightly 20,43% 16,35% 4,08%
moderate 18,63% 8,81% 9,83%
strong 10,07% 5,66% 4,41%
very strong 4,75% 1,26% 3,49%

Symptoms that could be related to Loss of appetite

Based on the datasets, we calculated the Kendall correlation. The following symptoms could be related to Loss of appetite.

Symptom name Correlation
Nausea moderate correlation (34,00%)
Dizziness weak correlation (27,00%)
Chills weak correlation (24,00%)
Feeling cold / shivering weak correlation (22,00%)
Abdominal pain outside the lower abdomen weak correlation (21,00%)
Fainting weak correlation (20,00%)

Loss of appetite in endometriosis

In addition to pain, abnormal bleeding, and reduced fertility, more general symptoms can also be consequences of endometriosis. These include, among others, loss of appetite. Because of the complexity of endometriosis, several aspects of the disease may be responsible for loss of appetite. It is important that if you have endometriosis and are experiencing loss of appetite, you discuss this symptom with your doctor. Loss of appetite, particularly when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or weight loss, can also have other causes that are independent of endometriosis.

Endometriosis affects almost exclusively women of reproductive age. In these patients, so-called endometriotic lesions develop in the pelvis or in other areas of the abdominal cavity. These are growths composed of endometrial-like tissue. They are hormonally regulated and behave like the endometrium in the uterus: they grow and bleed in relation to the menstrual cycle. If the blood cannot leave the body, inflammation, adhesions and scarring, as well as cysts, can develop.

Endometriosis can cause loss of appetite in the following ways:

  • Secondary dysmenorrhea: Due to changes that can be caused by endometriosis in the pelvic region, so-called secondary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) may develop.
  • Endometriotic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract: If, as a consequence of these growths in the gastrointestinal tract, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal bloating occurs, this can also result in loss of appetite.
  • Fatigue and depression: Both can be consequences of endometriosis and can lead to loss of appetite.

Loss of appetite on its own is not a symptom that suggests the diagnosis of endometriosis. However, it is also very rare that women with endometriosis experience loss of appetite as their only symptom. If endometriosis has already been diagnosed and loss of appetite then occurs, the exact cause must be clarified. Only then can optimal, cause-directed therapy be provided.

Did you know that you can also have a big influence on endometriosis symptoms yourself? In the Endo App you learn self-management techniques for endometriosis and find many interactive exercises to relieve symptoms.