Childhood trauma may increase the risk of endometriosis

The study is an international collaboration based on previous research that has suggested a possible connection between trauma and endometriosis. Endometriosis is tissue resembling the uterine lining that grows outside the uterus. The condition is very common among women and can cause significant pain and fertility problems for many.

PhD-candidate Solveig Løkhammer at the University of Bergen explains: "The motivation for the study was to better understand this potential link between traumatic experiences and the development of endometriosis."

Løkhammer collaborated with researchers from Yale, Oxford, and Harvard University in the United States. The study examined various types of trauma occurring in childhood and adulthood.

Results and Findings

The results showed that women with endometriosis more frequently reported experiencing physical and sexual violence, witnessing sudden death, and receiving life-threatening diagnoses.

Potential Mechanisms

The researchers cannot yet say definitively what causes this connection. One hypothesis is that trauma may trigger or exacerbate chronic inflammation and disrupt hormonal balance, promoting endometriosis development. Long-term stress may also affect the immune system and pain perception, potentially worsening symptoms.

The relationship between trauma and endometriosis appears independent of genetic risk factors. As Løkhammer states: "Even individuals with a low genetic risk for endometriosis could be at risk if they have experienced significant trauma."

Clinical Implications

The study emphasizes the importance of holistic treatment approaches. The findings support screening programs that include both somatic and mental health assessments, along with trauma history, to enable earlier diagnosis and more individualized treatment.