About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Women With Endometriosis at Increased Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Study

by Thilaka Ravi on December 21, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Font : A-A+

Women With Endometriosis at Increased Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Study

A large study published online in Gut suggests women with endometriosis are up to twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease as those without this reproductive disorder.

And the effect can last for up to 20 years after their diagnosis of endometriosis—a condition in which cells from the womb lining implant in other areas of the body.

Advertisement

Endometriosis is relatively common, and thought to affect as many as one in 10 women during their child bearing years.

The researchers tracked the long term health of more than 37,000 Danish women who had been admitted to hospital with endometriosis between 1977 and 2007.
Advertisement

During a monitoring period, which lasted an average of 13 years, 320 of these women developed inflammatory bowel disease—228 ulcerative colitis and 92 Crohn's disease. These figures equate to an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease of 50% compared with women in the general population.

When the analysis was restricted to women whose endometriosis was verified surgically, the risk increased further to 80%, and the effect persisted for more than 20 years after the initial diagnosis.

The average time lag between a diagnosis of endometriosis and the development of inflammatory bowel disease was around 10 years.

Both inflammatory bowel disease and endometriosis are chronic inflammatory disorders, which typically begin in young adulthood, affect the bowel, and cause abdominal pain.

The authors conclude that the explanation for the link between the two disorders may lie in common causes or the effects of treatment for endometriosis.

Some research suggests that long term use of oral contraceptives, which are frequently used to treat endometriosis, may increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease.



Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Women Health News

Women! When is the Right Time to Get a Mammogram?
Experts suggest that getting regular mammograms at the age of 40 can help women prevent breast cancer.
 Finding the Best Tool for Assessing Osteoporosis Fracture Risk After Menopause
The commonly used Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is not useful for shared clinical decision-making regarding osteoporosis screening in younger postmenopausal women.
 Pregnancy Complications Linked to Woman's Stroke Risk at Midlife
Researchers hypothesized that adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) are associated with younger age at first stroke, with a stronger relationship in those with >1 pregnancy with APO.
Escaping the Cycle of Perfection: Redefining Women's Roles!
Women grapple with the risk of mental illnesses as immense challenge of constantly striving for perfection and balancing multiple roles takes a toll.
Breaking the Myth of Animal Product Dependency for Lactating Mothers
Irrespective of dietary preferences, lactating mothers maintain similar concentrations of nutrients in their breast milk, when comparing vegan and omnivorous diets.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Women With Endometriosis at Increased Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Study Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests