Endometriosis and Mental Health: What We’re Finally Starting to Talk About
As a mental health therapist living with endometriosis, I’ve always known—deep in my bones—that there’s a powerful connection between endometriosis and mental health. When you live with chronic pain, the emotional toll is undeniable. But knowing something personally and finding it validated by research are two different things. So I set out to see what the science actually says.
A quick search about the link between endometriosis and mental health flooded me with emotion. I wasn’t surprised—but I was relieved. For so long, endometriosis has been misunderstood, minimized, or outright dismissed. People with endo often face years of invalidation from both healthcare providers and society at large. We’re told our pain is “normal,” offered the same limited treatment options—like birth control and ibuprofen—and often have to undergo surgery just to get a diagnosis. Add concerns about fertility, fatigue, and day-to-day pain management, and it’s no wonder that so many people with endometriosis also struggle emotionally.
Still, I was bracing myself for a lack of solid information—so it was a bit of a shock to discover how much has been studied.
A 2023 systematic review confirmed what many of us have long known: endometriosis is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (Szypłowska, Tarkowski, & Kułak). Another study by Yale School of Medicine revealed that there may be a shared genetic link between endometriosis and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders (Backman, 2023). This research reinforces the reality that endometriosis is not just a reproductive condition—it’s a full-body disease with far-reaching impacts.
There are so many reasons why mental health challenges are common among those living with endo:
Daily pain and flares
Fatigue and exhaustion
Fertility struggles
Relationship stress
Lack of validation and support
Limited treatment options
Missed work, social withdrawal, and lifestyle changes
Of course, each person’s journey is unique. What’s devastating for one may not impact another in the same way. But what we all deserve is understanding, validation, and real support.
As a therapist who both treats and lives with chronic illness, I bring a deep level of compassion and lived experience to this work. My goal is to create a space where clients with endo feel truly seen, heard, and supported. Whether we’re using art therapy, EMDR, or simply sitting in the shared understanding of what it means to live with a misunderstood condition—I’m here.
Living with endometriosis can be incredibly isolating. That’s why community, connection, and advocacy are so vital. If you’re struggling with the emotional weight of endo, I want you to know: you’re not alone. There is help. There is hope. And there are providers out there who get it.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s make space for the emotional side of endometriosis—and ensure that no one has to navigate it alone.
Sources:
Backman, I. (2023). Women With Endometriosis Also Genetically Predisposed to Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorders. Yale School of Medicine. Link
Szypłowska, M., Tarkowski, R., & Kułak, K. (2023). The impact of endometriosis on depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11:1230303. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1230303
Ready to do the deep work? I’m taking new clients in Maryland and Colorado! Contact me here to get started today.
Elizabeth Allen, LCPAT, LPC, LGPC, ATR-BC
Creative Pathways Counseling LLC
