Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases and can lead to severe menstrual pain and infertility. A new study from the University of Arizona now shows the link between the disease and an increased risk of stroke.
Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases of the female abdomen. Severe menstrual pain, problems with sex and even infertility are among the consequences of the clinical picture. Now a study shows that endometriosis can even promote the development of cardiovascular diseases – and thus an increased risk of strokes.
In endometriosis, cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow in places like the pelvis, ovaries, bladder, or intestines. The settlements are called endometriosis foci and can – depending on the severity – lead to varying degrees of symptoms. In addition to painful sexual intercourse, severe abdominal pain and a disturbed menstrual cycle, the disease can also promote the development of cardiovascular diseases, according to new findings.
This connection was examined by a research team from the University of Arizona in Tucson, which evaluated data from more than 100,000 US nurses. Since 1989, they have been asked about their lifestyle and any illnesses every two years as part of the Nurses’ Health Study II.
Read the issue of FOCUS-GESUNDHEIT what makes your heart strong and what you can do when it gets sick.
The focus of the data collection was on the women who had no cardiovascular disease at the start of the study between the ages of 25 and 42 but who suffered a stroke in the following 28 years.
It was found that 5,244 women who had previously had endometriosis detected by laparoscopy suffered a stroke 34 percent more often. The hazard ratio determined in this context was also at a comparatively high level of 1.10 to 1.62.
The hazard ratio corresponds to the ratio of the hazard rates (dangers, risk) of two groups (e.g. women with and women without endometriosis). With a hazard ratio of 1, there is no difference between the two groups.
As the researchers write, their calculations resulted in:
The analysis thus confirms previous studies that had already proven that endometriosis can affect the entire organism – especially the cardiovascular system.
The exact causes of endometriosis are still unknown. What is certain is that hormones play a major role in its development, which is why the disease occurs primarily in women between the ages of puberty and menopause. A malfunctioning immune system and hereditary factors can also increase the risk of endometriosis.
It is estimated that around 40,000 women in Germany contract it every year. This makes endometriosis the second most common gynecological disease. Nevertheless: “Despite the high prevalence and the serious effects, the disease is not sufficiently recognized by society,” writes the Endometriosis Association. Most sufferers would never have heard of endometriosis before their diagnosis. So many women get it without even knowing it.
Diagnosis, treatment and what you can do yourself
Endometriosis can usually only be clearly diagnosed by a laparoscopy. This is the reason why the disease goes undetected in many women for a long time. During a laparoscopy, the doctor inserts a tube-shaped optical examination device, the endoscope, into the abdominal or pelvic cavity to examine the internal organs.
Alternatively, an ultrasound examination can also provide indications of larger endometriosis foci and cysts. However, small foci or adhesions cannot be visualized. A vaginal ultrasound can also be used to detect endometriosis cysts on the ovaries or endometriosis foci on the intestines or in the bladder.
As a rule, the disease is treated with painkillers or hormonal drugs. An operation with a laparoscopy or an abdominal incision can remove most of the endometriosis. In this way, the pain can be relieved, beneficial effects on fertility have not yet been proven.
If there are spots of endometriosis in the area of the uterus, some women with very severe symptoms consider having the uterus removed. In the process, foci adjoining the uterus can also be removed.
