Researchers found that women suffering from both fibromyalgia and endometriosis are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren syndrome.
They also found a high occurrence of anxiety and depression women with both fibromyalgia and endometriosis. Around 66% of these patients had medical records of anxiety and depression. In addition, the study showed an increased rate of hospitalization in these patients.
One interesting finding showed that 43% of the women with both fibromyalgia and endometriosis had the former diagnosis before the latter. 17% had the diagnosis of both fibromyalgia and endometriosis within a year. This finding prompts physicians to examine fibro patients, who exhibit abdominal and pelvic symptoms, for endometriosis.
The findings of both studies caution physicians, and patients themselves, to look out for endometriosis in fibromyalgia and vice versa. Researchers also suggest patients with either or both conditions to test for autoimmune diseases.
I do appreciate this article and the excellent information! This website is amazing and has find and defined many conditions I’ve suffered! I believe I had endometriosis for years as I always had terrible, painful periods! I was in my twenties in the eighties and I spoke to many doctors and a few gynecoligists over the years but they dismissed it and told me to take ibuprofen before my period started. Needless to say I was already taking tons of it, which caused problems later! Anyway, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in 2013 , after being ill for a long time and searching for a cure. I’m 2011, however, I had to have a hysterectomy after years of bleeding between periods until it became way worse and totally denigrating to my life and work. I had had uterine fibroids, undiagnosed for years and as a result was infertile so was unable to have the child of my dreams. I’m so very glad there is awareness for all of this now! Drs just didn’t know much about endometriosis for years and I didn’t always have adequate health insurance and I fell through the cracks of the healthcare system. Furthermore this system ignores many “female” issues which need way more research! To and ladies suffering, speak up I dears! Be insistent and be your own advocate with medical professionals! You do not need to suffer! Waiting may also result in infertility and cancer as I had and you can prevent this! Thank you healthiculture.com/fibromyalgia for the great information! Keep.it comin! All my Best to all!