Women battling endometriosis face more than just the chronic pain and infertility often associated with the condition. New research from the University of Queensland has revealed a shocking link between endometriosis and an increased risk of premature and early menopause, placing women at risk of severe long-term health consequences.
The study, the largest of its kind, found that women with endometriosis are seven times more likely to experience surgical menopause, where both ovaries are removed, and face a significantly higher risk of natural menopause occurring prematurely—before the age of 40—or early menopause, between 40 and 44 years old.
Dr Hsin-Fang Chung, from UQ’s School of Public Health, described the findings as a critical revelation in understanding the full impact of endometriosis on women’s health.
“While it has long been known that endometriosis and its treatments can harm egg quality and reduce ovarian function, there has been limited research on how it influences the timing of menopause,” Dr Chung said.
Her study shows that surgical menopause, on average, occurs 19 months earlier in women with endometriosis, while natural menopause happens 5 months earlier than in women without the condition.
Even more alarming, Dr Chung found that women with endometriosis are twice as likely to experience surgical menopause before turning 40 and 1.4 times more likely to experience natural menopause prematurely. This shocking statistic calls attention to a major gap in care and awareness for women suffering from this debilitating disease.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 7 Australian women, and the disease, which causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow outside the uterus, can severely impact a woman’s quality of life. But the recent findings about menopause add a dangerous new dimension to the risks women face.
Professor Gita Mishra, senior author of the study, pointed out that both premature and surgical menopause are already linked to severe long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease and premature death. “Preventing or managing early or medically induced menopause requires a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causes and proactive measures to address the long-term health risks associated with it,” she said.
The research, published in Human Reproduction, analysed data from nearly 280,000 women in Australia, the UK, Sweden, and Japan from 1996 to 2022. This extensive study, part of the international InterLACE project, highlights how endometriosis impacts not just fertility, but the overall health trajectory of women across their lifetimes.
Dr Chung is calling for updated endometriosis management guidelines that take into account these new findings. “Women with endometriosis should be made aware that they may be at an increased risk of early or induced menopause. Regular GP visits to check for chronic disease risk factors and focus on prevention strategies are critical,” Dr Chung urged.
This alarming new research reveals just how much women with endometriosis are at risk of, with their reproductive health and overall well-being on the line. The call to action is clear: women need to be informed, and more proactive management strategies are essential to protect them from the devastating effects of early menopause.
Dr Chung’s next step is to explore the impact of endometriosis on long-term chronic disease risks—research that will likely reshape how we approach the condition and its far-reaching consequences.
