How common is the symptom Taste changes (e.g. iron taste) among people with endometriosis?
34,76% of people with endometriosis reported Taste changes (e.g. iron taste) as a symptom of endometriosis in our survey.
How common is the symptom Taste changes (e.g. iron taste) among people with endometriosis compared to the non-affected group?
2,15% of people with endometriosis suffer from the symptom Taste changes (e.g. iron taste) very strong compared to a prevalence of 0,00% among non-affected individuals.
The following table shows the symptom Taste changes (e.g. iron taste) 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 | 65,24% | 74,84% | -9,61% |
| slightly | 15,50% | 15,72% | -0,23% |
| moderate | 12,07% | 6,29% | 5,78% |
| strong | 5,05% | 3,14% | 1,90% |
| very strong | 2,15% | 0,00% | 2,15% |
Based on the datasets, we calculated the Kendall correlation. The following symptoms could be related to Taste changes (e.g. iron taste).
| Symptom name | Correlation |
|---|---|
| Joint pain | weak correlation (26,00%) |
| Loss of smell | weak correlation (26,00%) |
| Numbness in hands | weak correlation (26,00%) |
| Hearing loss | weak correlation (25,00%) |
| Numbness in legs | weak correlation (25,00%) |
| Dizziness | weak correlation (24,00%) |
| Limb pain | weak correlation (24,00%) |
| Shoulder pain | weak correlation (23,00%) |
| Belching | weak correlation (22,00%) |
| Shortness of breath | weak correlation (22,00%) |
| Hot flashes | weak correlation (21,00%) |
| Kidney pain | weak correlation (20,00%) |
| Chills | weak correlation (20,00%) |
Taste changes refer to a complete or partial loss of the sense of taste. Clinicians refer to taste changes as dysgeusia. Taste changes can have many different causes, including traumatic brain injuries, infections of the upper respiratory tract, exposure to toxic substances, medications, and medical procedures. Iron deficiency can also be responsible for an altered sense of taste. Because you are at increased risk of iron deficiency if you have endometriosis, endometriosis is among the possible triggers of taste changes.
In endometriosis, so-called endometriosis lesions grow in the pelvic cavity, but they can also occur throughout the entire abdominal cavity, and even the diaphragm, lungs, heart, and brain can be affected. These growths consist of clusters of cells made of uterine-like tissue. These endometriosis lesions are subject to the hormonal cycle and therefore, like the uterine lining, build up and then bleed. Key symptoms of endometriosis include severe pain, especially during menstruation, often heavy bleeding, and reduced fertility. Therefore, if you have endometriosis, you more often experience iron deficiency and anemia.
Iron deficiency progresses in three stages: first, depletion of iron stores; then impaired formation of red blood cells; and, in the third stage, iron-deficiency anemia. Even normal menstrual bleeding can, if sufficient iron intake is not ensured through the diet, lead to depletion of iron stores. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you should review your diet for its iron content, because iron from plant sources is absorbed less well by the body than iron from animal sources. The first signs of iron deficiency are tiredness, exhaustion, forgetfulness, nervousness, and irritability. Long-standing iron deficiency can also lead to so-called tongue atrophy, in which changes in the sense of taste arise due to flattening and partial loss of the taste buds.
In addition, endometriosis can also indirectly trigger a change in taste: several groups of medications cause taste changes. These include, among others, medications for depression. Because women with endometriosis are more likely than average to also have depression, taste disturbances may, for example, be triggered by antidepressants.