Migraines, digestive problems, anxiety, and depression can be part of endometriosis, although they are often interpreted as separate conditions. Research led by the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) and published in Human Reproduction has identified different symptom patterns in more than 22,000 women, reinforcing the idea that the disease extends far beyond its traditional gynecological manifestations.
For years, endometriosis has been classified primarily according to the location and extent of lesions observed through surgery or imaging tests. However, these systems only partially describe patients' real-life experiences and do not adequately explain the enormous variability in symptoms associated with the disease. In addition, a definitive diagnosis cannot rely solely on invasive surgical procedures that involve risks, costs, and a lengthy recovery period.
To better understand this heterogeneity, researchers from the United States and Spain analyzed clinical and health data from women with endometriosis enrolled in the All of Us Research Program, one of the world's largest population-based biobanks. The study identified different symptom patterns and examined how they relate to quality of life and disease severity.
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