Loss of smell as a symptom of endometriosis

Loss of smell in endometriosis

Loss of smell, also referred to as an olfactory disorder or dysosmia, constitutes a substantial impairment of quality of life. Olfactory disorders vary in severity and can range from a reduction in the sense of smell to a complete loss. A distinction is also made between qualitative and quantitative olfactory disorders. Qualitative olfactory disorders are those in which odors are perceived incorrectly. In quantitative olfactory disorders, the sense of smell is diminished or even heightened. With advancing age, olfactory disorders are widespread and reflect general degenerative processes. However, a wide variety of diseases, injuries, or other influences can also cause loss of smell. Many women with endometriosis experience olfactory disorders. The connections are often not obvious at first glance, which is why loss of smell is not an indicator of endometriosis.

In endometriosis, so-called endometriotic lesions grow in the pelvis, throughout the abdominal cavity and, in rare cases, also in the lungs, diaphragm, and even the brain. These growths enlarge over the course of the menstrual cycle and then bleed. Because the blood usually cannot be drained from the body, it remains in the tissue and, in many cases, triggers inflammation, adhesions, and subsequent scarring. Cysts can also develop from these growths. The cardinal symptoms of endometriosis are pain, bleeding disorders, and reduced fertility. Although science still does not know why, studies show that patients with endometriosis also have a significantly increased risk of additional diseases. These include thyroid dysfunction, susceptibility to infections, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

In these ways, endometriosis can contribute to loss of smell:

• Diseases of the paranasal sinuses can lead to smell impairment and loss of smell. Because women with endometriosis are particularly susceptible to infections, there is an indirect connection.
• Medications: Analgesics and antidepressants can cause loss of smell. Patients with endometriosis develop depression significantly more often than women without endometriosis. Pain medications are prescribed for the sometimes severe pain in the abdomen and, for example, also in the legs.
• Hormonal fluctuations: These can also cause changes in smell. In the context of endometriosis, shifts in hormone balance occur.
• Endometriotic lesions in the brain: These occur only very rarely, and the available data are far too limited to explain the processes. However, loss of smell can also be caused by degenerative brain diseases. Therefore, it is conceivable that endometriotic lesions in the brain could be directly responsible for loss of smell.