Quality of Life in Women with Deep Endometriosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective To describe clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and assess their quality of life (QOL) during 6 months of medical treatment. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study of 60 women diagnosed with DIE either by surgery or image methods (ultrasound or magnetic resonance), who received clinical treatment for at least 6 months in the Universidade de Campinas, Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Both the SF-36 and the EHP-30 questionnaires were used to assess the quality of life. Results The mean age of the patients was 37.7 ± 6.0 years old, with 50% presenting dysmenorrhea; 57% dyspareunia; and 50% chronic pelvic pain. The SF-36 and the EHP-30 revealed impaired quality of life. In the SF-36, the worst domains were limitation due to emotional aspects (40.2 ± 43.1) and self-esteem and disposition (46.1 ± 24.8), whereas in the EHP-30 they were social well-being (50.3 ± 30.6); infertility (48.0 ± 36.3); and sexual intercourse (54.0 ± 32.1). Conclusion Although clinically treated, women with deep endometriosis present impairment in different domains of quality of life regardless of the questionnaire used for evaluation.

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions in women with deep infiltrative endometriosis: An underestimated association

“…Pelvic myofascial pain and endometriosis are chronic and debilitating conditions that negatively impact personal, psychological, physical and social well-being. 22 There is evidence that CPP acts as a triggering factor for PFM hypertension, suggesting that constant harmful stimuli may lead to visceral and muscular hyperalgesia, causing the PFM to become unstable and thus favouring hypertonia. 23,24 The increase in muscle tone may be associated with shortening of the muscle fibres and may also be indicative of muscle weakness.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Spanish Women with Endometriomas or Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study

“…Several studies have evaluated HRQoL in women with endometriosis, and the presence of an impaired quality of life in this condition has been established. However, most of these studies assessed changes in HRQoL after randomized clinical trials—with surgery or drugs—or pre- and post-operative interventions in women with endometriomas or DIE [ 12 , 23 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, there is a lack of information regarding analytic observational studies that have considered associations between HRQoL and the presence or absence of endometriosis.…”

Clinical Treatment of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis – Impacts on Sexual Function

“…In addition to the symptoms described above, quality of life is usually severely impaired in patients with endometriosis [7,8]. Dyspareunia is associated with anxiety and sexual dysfunction in all areas [8,9].…”

“…In addition to the symptoms described above, quality of life is usually severely impaired in patients with endometriosis [7,8]. Dyspareunia is associated with anxiety and sexual dysfunction in all areas [8,9]. It is well described that sexual experiences are reinforced in subsequent relationships; thus, negative experiences can perpetuate sexual dysfunction and cause suffering, distress or interpersonal difficulty, making women unable to participate in sexual intercourse as they would like [10][11][12].…”