title: Impact of endometriosis on quality of life: a pilot study.
abstract: Endometriosis affects 6-10% of women in reproductive age, 35-50% of whom experience pain, infertility or both. Mild cases are managed medically but surgery provides relief to women in pain. However, symptoms recur in 75% of cases within 2 years. We investigated the impact of endometriosis on quality of life among 65 women aged 18-60 years working at a city supermarket in Giessen, Germany. Of the 65 women, 12 had undergone surgeries, 22 had dysmenorrhoea, 24 dyspareunia and 3 were infertile. Of the 22 women with dysmenorrhoea, 10 had difficulties performing gardening, housework, sports and leisure activities. Five of these 10 women experienced social isolation, 6 professional setbacks; 6 declined efficiency at work and 3 had taken time off work. Of the 24 women with dyspareunia, 7 experienced minimal, 12 light and 5 moderate to strong pain. Only 16 of these 24 women discussed the problem with their partners. This study demonstrates that pain is a major cause of physical, psycho-social, emotional and professional or work related impairment among women with endometriosis. Because endometriosis is likely to impose emotional and financial burdens, we suggest that future studies should be extended to include interviews with family members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oehmke
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weyand
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hackethal
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Omwandho
authors.forename: Hans-Rudolf
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Tinneberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012934:Social Isolation; D013177:Sports; D014937:Work; D055815:Young Adult