Aussie-first study confirms endometriosis link to range of non-menstrual symptoms

The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, researchers say.

Women with endometriosis are nearly four times more likely to have severe menstrual pain than those without the condition, along with a host of non-menstrual symptoms including depression, migraines and urine burns, shows an Australian-first study.

The University of Queensland researchers say the findings, based on data from 7600 women, underline the importance of early diagnosis to limit the risk of complications.

They analysed three-yearly survey responses collected between 2009 and 2018 from participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, along with a checklist on the presence of 24 symptoms.

A total of 1149 women (15%) self-reported endometriosis.