Study links trauma and genetics to endometriosis risk

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in February 2025 suggests a potential link between traumatic life experiences and an increased risk of developing endometriosis. The research utilized clinical and genetic data from over 500,000 women through the UK Biobank and the FinnGen project.

Findings indicate that women with endometriosis reported higher rates of childhood and adult trauma, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, life-threatening diagnoses, and witnessing sudden deaths. For instance, 8% of women with endometriosis reported emotional or physical trauma compared to 5% of those without the condition. The study also identified a genetic connection between endometriosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and childhood abuse.

Scientists concluded that traumatic events and genetic factors may act independently to contribute to the risk of the disease, potentially compounding one another to increase the overall likelihood of development. Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% to 15% of women of reproductive age, totaling approximately 190 million women globally.