Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Symptoms of severe pelvic pain, infertility, fatigue, and abnormal menstruation can cause significant negative effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, including interactions with their family, friends, and health care providers. Stigma associated with endometriosis has been under-studied and is rarely discussed in current literature. Herein, this paper aims to provide a brief overview of published literature to explore and establish the plausibility of stigma as a driver of suboptimal psychosocial well-being and diagnostic delay among individuals living with endometriosis. We present the clinical characteristics and physical and mental health consequences associated with endometriosis, highlight several theoretical constructs of stigma, and review the limited studies documenting women’s lived experiences of endometriosis-related stigma. To mitigate harmful effects of this phenomenon, we recommend increasing efforts to assess the prevalence of and to characterize endometriosis-related stigma, implementing awareness campaigns, and developing interventions that combat the multidimensional negative effects of stigma on timely care, treatment, and quality of life for individuals living with endometriosis.
Highlights
In a recent meta-analysis of 69 studies conducted in a variety of countries [8], the pooled prevalence of endometriosis by gynecologic indication was highest among women with chronic pelvic pain (47%), followed by infertility (34%), hysterectomy
Despite the high prevalence and well-documented impacts of endometriosis on public health, stigma associated with this condition is vastly understudied
This article highlighted constructs of stigma and characterized endometriosis-related stigma and the ways in which it may contribute to psychosocial well-being and diagnostic delay
Summary
Endometriosis is an inflammatory and often painful chronic gynecological condition characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) outside of the uterus, mainly occurring in the pelvic peritoneum, rectovaginal septum, ovary, uterosacral ligament, rectum, or colon [1,2,3,4]. Ectopic tissue can form lesions in these areas, leading to chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms [1]. Endometriosis has wideranging and pervasive sequelae on women’s health (e.g., physical and mental health) [5].
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