Endometriosis associated with slightly higher risk of early death

One in 10 women worldwide suffers from endometriosis, a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb.

It is estimated that up to a quarter of women have non-cancerous growths in the uterus called fibroids.

Although many people suffer from these conditions, both are considered understudied - some blame the historically male-oriented medical establishment for not paying attention to the health problems that affect women.

Previous research has linked both conditions to a higher risk of certain potentially deadly diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers, AFP reports.

The new study, published in the journal BMJ, analysed data from more than 110,000 US women whose health status had been monitored every two years since 1989.

This kind of observational research cannot directly prove cause and effect.

From the data, the researchers found that patients with one or both diseases had a slightly higher risk of death before age 70.

This was due to the fact that patients were more likely to experience other health problems suggested by previous studies, according to the study.

For uterine fibroids, the increase in early mortality was associated with a higher risk of gynecologic cancers, the study said.

These cancers were also the leading cause of death among endometriosis patients, although there were other factors, including heart and respiratory disease.

People with endometriosis had a 9 to 30 percent higher risk of death before age 70 compared with people who did not have these related health problems, the study said.

"These findings underscore the importance" of physicians monitoring for these health problems in patients with endometriosis and uterine fibroids, the study authors say.

Although neglected in the past, health conditions that affect only women are receiving increasing attention from researchers and policymakers.

Such is the case with endometriosis, which can cause serious pain during menstruation and infertility - and for which there is no known cure. | BGNES