Having endometriosis can impact mental health and wellbeing. Discover the link between endometriosis and mental health and learn how to manage the challenges.
Written by Endometriosis UK.
Endometriosis is not just a condition that impacts physical health (the body), it can also have an impact on mental health and wellbeing. Living with a complex pain condition provides many challenges, all of which can affect everyday life. Endometriosis affects people in different ways and each person’s experience of living with endometriosis is different.
Endometriosis UK is dedicated to raising awareness and campaigning for change so that those with endometriosis have access to the physical and mental health support that they may need. We acknowledge and understand that the disease can have an impact on both physical and mental health and are campaigning for pathways to be introduced so that people are supported with both their physical and mental health needs – as part of this we always want patients to be asked about quality of life as well as physical health and supported to access the care they need.
There are many reasons as to why mental health and wellbeing can be affected by endometriosis. With increasing diagnosis times and delays in access to treatments, it’s completely normal for people to feel low in mood, emotional, angry, and frustrated. For some, the effects of living with endometriosis and its symptoms can lead to depression and anxiety.
Having endometriosis doesn’t mean you have or will have depression or anxiety. Many with endometriosis do not experience any negative impact to their mental health and wellbeing, whereas others with endometriosis may experience a significant decline in their mental health. Like other long term (chronic) pain conditions, those with endometriosis report higher levels of depression and anxiety, and other psychological disorders.
There are many factors that impact mental health and wellbeing, living with pain can be very challenging. Pain is a negative, unpleasant experience, to experience pain on a regular or constant basis affects the whole person, physically and psychologically. Endometriosis symptoms can impact everyday life and may prevent people from doing their usual activities. Endometriosis is a condition that can significantly compromise social and family relationships – missed social events, time away from work and studies all these factors can lead to increased, stress, anxiety, low mood and depression. Many with endometriosis report feelings of loneliness, feelings of dismissal, not being listened to, all of which can be isolating. A lack of awareness of the condition, increasing waiting times, and delays in accessing treatment are also challenging factors.
Fertility worries can also negatively impact mental health and wellbeing, individuals may be struggling with their fertility or worried about their future fertility. Couples may be experiencing difficulties around sex, sex may be too painful, there may be a decreased desire for sex (libido), these are all factors which can add strain to relationships, added worries and feelings of guilt are likely to negatively impact mental health, and may ultimately lead to depression and anxiety.
Yes, for some the side effects of hormonal treatments can negatively affect mental health, this can be difficult to manage. Mood changes and depression are commonly reported side effects of many hormonal treatments and in some cases, treatments may need to be stopped as side effects may be unmanageable. This can be a difficult decision to make, especially when treatments are effectively managing endometriosis and pain symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis and symptoms can continue alongside medical/hormonal treatments and following surgery. Endometriosis lesions and symptoms can reoccur following surgery, this can be difficult to manage as it may be expected that symptoms will improve or disappear following an operation, but this is not always the case. Feelings of disappointment, hopelessness, ongoing pain and suffering can negatively impact mental health and wellbeing.
It’s important to remember that endometriosis is a whole-body complex condition with symptoms that vary from person to person, it’s not only the physical symptoms that can be challenging, the psychological effects of endometriosis can also be debilitating.
It’s important to talk about your feelings, don’t be afraid to talk to your partner, family or friends, they will want to support you. You may also wish to speak to your employer, teacher or school nurse, hopefully they’ll be understanding and may be able to offer support in the workplace and educational setting. It’s also important to talk to your GP about how you are feeling, help is available.
If you are others are noticing a decline in mood and mental health then your GP should be involved, they should be able to help you cope and manage these symptoms and discuss options of treatment and management. Counsellors and psychologists can also have an important role in endometriosis management.
SIGNPOST:
