ENDOMETRIOSIS AND ABUSE LINKED

LAURA ROWE (SHE/HER) OPINION EDITOR

PUBLISHED IN THE Journal

Human Reproduction in July 2018, the article ‘Early life abuse and risk of endometriosis’ linked endometriosis to childhood abuse.

Endometriosis is an excruciating condition which affects around 200 million women worldwide.

According to the article, women who experienced severe to chronic abuse during childhood had a 79% higher risk of developing endometriosis. Epidemiologist Dr. Holly Harris stated that “both physical and sexual abuse were associated with endometriosis risk …it’s a strong association.”

Harris stresses that this does not mean that every person who suffers from endometriosis was physically or sexually abused as a child. Instead, it demonstrates that both abuse and endometriosis are far too common.

The study does not prove that abuse causes endometriosis but contributes to the field of evidence linking traumatic childhood experiences with health difficulties.

Endometriosis is a common condition that usually affects people who menstruate in their 20s and 30s.

It starts when tissue from the endometrium (which normally lines the uterus) starts growing outside of that area, attaching itself to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder or other parts of the body. The endometrium doesn’t realize it’s outside the uterus, so it continues thickening and breaking down with every menstrual cycle.

But while the broken-down endometrium is normally expelled during a period, outside of the uterus there’s nowhere for displaced endometrium to go.

Over time, the extra tissue within the pelvic region creates cysts, scar tissue and adhesions that can lead to chronic pain, excessive bleeding, and, for up to half of women with the condition, infertility.

Harris argues that research into endometriosis is underfunded so very little is known about the condition, why it happens or how to cure it. It can take around seven years from first symptoms to actual diagnosis. That’s seven years of unnecessary suffering.

There was a 79 percent higher risk of endometriosis for women reporting severe-chronic abuse compared to those reporting no physical or sexual abuse.

Abuse was defined as severe if they were kicked, bitten, punched or physically attacked more than once, or choked or burned ever as a child. Sexual abuse was defined as severe when there was forced sexual activity during both childhood and adolescence.

The parameters are reductive and are a jarring reminder that childhood abuse happens so much that there are categorisations for a disgusting act which should never happen.

The personal response to the study by people who have experienced both endometriosis and childhood abuse are devasting.

The lack of research and education around endometriosis further isolates people making a horrific situation even worse.

This study, however, may be the first steps towards a better future. Shedding light on the link between childhood abuse and endometriosis as well as advocating for more research and funding for the condition, the study has created a space for people with shared experiences to begin to form a community. Raising awareness for both the link and for the condition itself by educating ourselves and advocating for more funding and research can and will help many people.

Bottom Line: The link shows that endometriosis and childhood abuse are both far too common.