"Increased risk": Women with endometriosis are more likely to have early menopause

The list of side effects of endometriosis is growing. According to a study published in the journal Human Reproduction, via the University of Oxford, women with endometriosis have a higher risk of premature menopause and are seven times more likely to experience surgical menopause, reports The Guardian .

Surgical menopause occurs when a woman has both ovaries removed before reaching natural menopause and may be performed to treat endometriosis when other treatments have failed.

The study found that surgical menopause occurred on average 19 months earlier in women with endometriosis, while natural menopause occurred on average five months earlier.

As a reminder, endometriosis affects one in ten women of this age and manifests itself by the growth of cells similar to the uterine lining in other parts of the body, causing intense pain, infertility, and heavy periods. It also affects other people with a uterus and a small number of men.

Another study conducted by the University of Queensland also found that women with endometriosis were more likely to experience premature menopause before the age of 40 and 1.4 times more likely to experience natural menopause at the same age.

Dr. Hsin-Fang Chung of the University of Queensland, who led the study, hopes the findings will improve endometriosis management guidelines, including prevention and strategies for early or medically induced menopause, which has been associated with adverse outcomes, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

"Women with endometriosis should be aware that they may be at increased risk of early or induced menopause," the specialist said.

The doctor added that these women should regularly consult their general practitioner to check for risk factors for chronic diseases and prevention strategies.

Other doctors reacted to the study, including Dr. Gino Pecoraro, president of the National Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who said he was not surprised by the results.

"I expected them to show exactly the same rates, or even higher rates, of surgical menopause in people with severe endometriosis," the doctor said.

Dr. Gino Pecoraro also explained that if a gynecologist performs ovarian removal on a younger woman due to endometriosis, he or she should follow up for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness.