New research is establishing a surprising link between two conditions that affect millions of women.
A major study –published on August 6 in the journal Diabetologia– finds that women with endometriosis face a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“Previous studies largely evaluated endometriosis as a single condition and generally reported little to no overall association with type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Fuzak Nunziato, a doctoral student in epidemiology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
“Our findings contribute to a growing understanding that endometriosis can affect more than just reproductive health alone,” he added in a press release.
For the study, researchers analyzed the medical records of nearly 3 million women over a 25-year period, comparing the risk of diabetes in those with and without endometriosis.
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The condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
The study found that the risk of diabetes was higher in women whose endometriosis extended beyond the pelvic region, as well as in premenopausal women and those without obesity — groups that were not typically considered at high risk for diabetes.
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Researchers suspect that the chronic inflammation associated with endometriosis could play a role, but state that more research is needed.
They emphasize that the findings show a relationship but do not prove that endometriosis causes diabetes.
If confirmed, the findings could help identify women who might benefit from earlier diabetes screening or prevention strategies.
