Is there a link between Endometriosis and sexual abuse?

| Bloomin' Uterus
purple ribbon - child abuse

**UPDATE: 2/4/16 : Please read My Two Cents for my research results**

Time to get a bit personal with you…

I was molested by my grandfather for years as a young child.  My parents divorced when I was six.  I told my Mum when I was 8 and she literally uprooted our small family and moved us out of state, which caused a huge rift between my father’s side of the family and our family.  And I love her deeply for that.  I always will.

Last year Mum mentioned reading (or hearing about) a possible connection between childhood sexual abuse and Endometriosis.  I rolled my eyes, stated I didn’t want to give that man any additional power over my life, didn’t want to blame him for my disease, and dismissed it as crazy-talk. (I’m sorry, Mom…I know you’re reading this…).

At one of our recent support group meetings, the topic came up again.  Someone else had recently read a similar claim.  Which prompted one of our other Warriors to say she had heard it, too.

Last night it was my pleasure to enjoy dinner with one of my local EndoWarriors.  After hours of bonding, I brought up my sexual molestation.  I was saddened to hear that she was also abused as a child.  And she mentioned that there’s a book that discusses the possible link between sexual abuse and Endometriosis.  Which had me regurgitate my Mum’s conversation from last year…and the subsequent conversations with others from our support group.

So guess what now?  I’ll be thoroughly digging into the scientific, medical, and laymen literature available on this topic.  I will find out what those communities are saying the links may be: stress, inflammatory reaction, hormones, defense mechanisms?

If you have read about this, please leave a comment with the source information so I can also read about it.  A quick Google search has brought up nearly a dozen studies on the topic, all of which I need to take my time and read.  And clear my head.  And breathe.

And I’m curious if the ratios of people with Endometriosis (1 in 10) and childhood sexual abuse trauma (1 in 5 girls; 1 in 20 boys – National Center for Victims of Crime) are so tightly-woven that they are possibly purely coincidental.  That there is no cause and effect relationship; but just a coincidence.

And I’m equally curious : what are the chances that you, an EndoWarrior, was sexually abused, too?  I do not ask this question to rip off scabs and expose old wounds…but I am flabbergasted at the amount of women in my personal life, with this illness, who have stepped forward and shared their traumatic experiences.  We are now stronger than our abusers.

I will be digging.  And I will be ripping my heart out and laying it flat open, filleted, for this one.  Interested? Stay tuned.  Want to share an experience?  Comment below.  We are in this together, on so many levels…

**UPDATE: 2/4/16 : Please read My Two Cents for my research results**

Yours,

Lisa

58 thoughts on “Is there a link between Endometriosis and sexual abuse?”

  1. You are an amazing woman, Lisa. Words don’t describe how I feel while reading this blog. And I love this statement: We are now stronger than our abusers. Thank you for everything, and I mean everything. Especially for the way you are changing people’s lives. Not only are you strengthening your EndoSisters, but you are affecting the lives of their partners and families. I am so proud…

    On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 12:17 PM, Bloomin Uterus wrote:

    > Bloomin’ Uterus posted: ” Time to get a bit personal with you… I was > molested by my grandfather for years as a young child. My parents divorced > when I was six. I told my Mum when I was 8 and she literally uprooted our > small family and moved us out of state, which caused a h” >

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    2. This link just occurred to me. I had surgery for endometriosis when I was 14. The drs were shocked at how bad it was. The explanation offered me was from blood build up and years of having my period. Except that makes no sense. My period had me doubling over in pain, the very first time I got it. The pain didn’t get worse as time went on. So I’ve recently learned that my uncle molested me when I was a toddler. This seems like a much more likely cause for my endometriosis. (Thanks for this blogpost, there doesn’t seem to be much on this topic)

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    3. I appreciate your courage in digging deeper on this very tender subject. I have strongly believed for over 8 years there IS definitely a link between abuse and Endo.

      I came to this conclusion based on a mini survey of over 20 friends that have the disease and also share a history of abuse.

      What are the odds that I would have so many people in my life that share this common denominator?

      Once you start digging, give yourself a moment to assimilate this info along with the charged emotions that stampede in on its tails.

      I wish you the best and peace.

      Melanie

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  2. Your mother is my hero, too. I do not have endometriosis, but I have adenomyosis and the question of a possible link between it and childhood sexual abuse has also crossed my mind. I will check back to see what you find. Best wishes on your journey. A.

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  4. I was raped as a teenager, about a year after my endo symptoms started. Most of the scientific literature I’ve read about endo and trauma correlating has to do with the stress creating a somatoform disorder, or making an existing one worse (here’s an article from 1998 that says as much: http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/1988/04000/The_Association_Between_Chronic_Pelvic_Pain,.16.aspx ).

    I’m not a doctor, but I’m in a Master’s program for psychology. Stress can absolutely have an effect on how one experiences pain, and it’s almost always for the better. I think the fact that so many women are raped or sexually abused in childhood in our nation and the 1 in 10 rate of endometriosis sufferers are so high that it simply overlaps (correlation doesn’t always equal causation!).

    I also know that a lot of doctors think that endometriosis is ONLY a somatoform disorder, and that it’s in essence “caused” by our abusive pasts. Don’t get me wrong: somatoform disorders do exist, and are absolutely horrible tangles of mental and physical pain that should be taken every bit as seriously as endometriosis. However, whenever doctors hear that we have endometriosis and their first thought is “therapy” and not any of the now well known and accepted medical treatments (i.e., excision surgery), that’s flat out dangerous. And it’s all too common – Dr. Drew did it within recent memory. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/dr-drew

    So, my answer is that I do think there’s more of a genetic link causing endometriosis than anything else, or even the theory that it’s linked to autoimmune disorders that’s starting to gain some traction. Stress can make the pain worse, for sure, and stress from past abuse can do that too, but I don’t think it’s the cause.

    Sorry to go on for so long – a gyne once flat out refused to see me once he heard I’d been raped and had endo because it wasn’t a “medical diagnosis”, and that I “needed a shrink”. In his mind, the PTSD I suffer from zeroed out the endo I have and made it somehow “not real” and not as important. In everything I’ve read, stress from anything (including and not limited to past sexual abuse) can exacerbate endo, but pretty much nothing in the last 15 years has indicated it could be the cause. I think it’s simply an older viewpoint that’s been disproven but is still kicking around because some doctors don’t keep up to date on endo.

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    1. Thank you so much for opening up so deeply here. I’m with you. I know stress can affect our bodies in so many ways, and there are studies that show it can aggravate our Endometriosis. I also think it’s not the cause, but possibly a factor. I ran across Dr. Drew’s … absolutely horrible … comments today. I wanted to crawl through my computer screen and strangle him and that other host. Thank you for pointing me down a path. I look forward to burying myself in text, theories, studies, experiences, and examples over the next several days. I’m hoping to bump across some more recent info rather than the decades-old theories.

      Do not be sorry for the lengthy response. It’s awesome. I’m sorry you ran into some douchebag doctors out there. Chaps my hide…

      You’re one hell of a survivor, hun.

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  6. This is the first I’ve heard of this study, and I just want to thank you for your courage and for writing this post. I was also abused when I was young, and have also developed Endometriosis, and (speculated) Adenomyosis. What you wrote has inspired me to do some research of my own.

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  7. I don’t have scientific research but I too suffered sexual abuse as a child. This is something I will now be looking into as this is the first time hearing it. But it makes so much sense. 💕

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  8. Pingback: My two cents : sexual abuse and Endometriosis | Bloomin' Uterus

  9. I was not abused as a child but definitely while I was married. The first period after the abuse was excruciating. I couldn’t move an inch while laying down without getting light headed from the pain. Standing up was almost impossible. Going to the bathroom was suddenly very very painful. After I left it took about 6 months but gradually my periods became less painful. Four years later and there are times when I am very stressed that my period are severe. I hope this isn’t too long. I don’t really talk about this. I just want to know if anyone has or still does experience this.

    Thank you,
    Ren

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    1. Hi Ren. It wasn’t too long, not at all. And thank you for opening up. In my line of work, I’ve seen a lot of clients require pelvic floor therapy or even a regimen of kegel exercises after a traumatic sexual event. Their body, subconsciously, is freezing up, tensing, and actually causing the muscles to weaken and/or contract involuntarily. It can be a defense mechanism. And I’ve heard the pain is intense. The body reacts amazingly under stress. You may want to talk to your gyno or PCP, and let them know what’s been going on. It may be something as simple as doing kegels (20 contractions for 2 seconds each, is what I’ve often done), or they may refer you to pelvic floor therapy, assuming an exam leads them to believe your body/muscles have reacted adversely that that (or any) experience. Talking about it is the first step. And I’m so proud of you for doing it.

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  10. Thank you so much for your kind words and advice. Typing out my experience was difficult but your reply was very healing. It was just what I needed. I have a gyno visit soon and I will make sure to bring this up with her.

    Thank you,

    Ren

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  11. Hello, I’m new to this post, but I’ve suffered from endometriosis for 20 years thus far. I also was sexually abused all before the age of 9. I only recollected the memory of it about 15 years ago and it has left me so sad. I don’t like to talk about it. I also lived in a violent home, both physically and verbal. I was bullied badly in school as well. It is the cards of life that I was handed. Thank God I have the best husband in the world and three great children. But my in laws always cause me some type of emotional stress and my dad too and I have noticed that when my stress and saddness flares up so does my endo pains. Sometimes it makes me feel hopeless and alone. Doctors don’t understand…Fighting everyday to stay strong with lots of prayers.

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    1. Stay strong, Jess. And, yes, stress may affect Endo flare-ups. Try to find time for you, especially when you’re having particular stressful or sad times. Talk to your wonderful husband about it, too. And know that you’re not alone. We’re all here for ya. ❤

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  12. Hi,
    I have been wondering this FOR YEARS. Every woman I know with Endo is also an abuse survivor. I just googled this because I also read that Marilyn Munroe survived both endometriosis and sexual abuse at a young age. There is evidence that menstruation helps keep unwanted bacteria out of a woman’s reproductive organs, but if foreign objects come in contact or near enough is it possible that unwanted bacteria creates a kind of hospitable environment for Endo? I am only asking questions–not a doctor or scientist. But would really welcome more on this issue. Thanks for this post. All love and brightest blessings surround you.

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    1. There have been studies that semen may aggravate Endo, based on inflammatory properties, but I haven’t read anything about bacteria. I can do some research. I know that some people believe the chemicals and toxins found in tampons may aggravate Endometriosis. I do know that bacteria may cause or influence vaginal infections, such as UTIs or yeast infections, but I haven’t bumped into anything suggesting foreign bacteria may cause or aggravate. I’ll dig. 😉

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  13. I have suffered from stage 4 Endometriosis for 20 years. I am now 34, and unable to have children due to this horrible disease. My loving husband and I have endured 7 heart wrenching miscarriages. I too was molested as a toddler from my grandfather and raped by my father for several years as a young child. I am just now hearing about the link between endo and abuse. I find it very fascinating.

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    1. *big hugs* to you, hun. There’s more science coming out that childhood trauma even changes the way our brain functions, which may lead to long-term chronic issues. But who really knows…?

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      1. I suffered a lot of childhood trauma including being sodimized among other abuse and I am in my mid forties now and can feel like it has and is affecting me more and more. I think I suppressed it for so long that I no longer can push it down. My endo has gotten a lot worse and stress and emotional baggage does not help.

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        1. oh Jess, I’m so sorry. 😦 When I was a kid, my Mum sent me to a child therapist. I hated those sessions, so much. But one thing she taught me to do when things got too much, or when I happened upon an emotional trigger, was to imagine my favorite hero (it was Mighty Mouse) and when I found myself in a flashback, Mighty Mouse would fly into view, and hold up a big hand for me to stop. And do you know what? After doing it for a while, it actually began to work. And now I don’t have any triggers. Hopefully something like that can help you overcome. Let it out…don’t let it eat you from the inside out.

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  14. Hello,

    I really appreciate this site. For the sake of full disclosure, I am on this site as a writer/researcher and not as a survivor. I respect everyone here and am amazed by the courage and willingness to share. I didn’t understand endometriosis until I met a few women who walked me through their journeys. Again, very grateful and humbled by the courage.

    I wanted to expand on my previous comment/question. As I understand it: when illness develops in our body, viruses or bacteria enter our bodies and *if* our immune systems are not strong enough, the viruses or bacteria sneak by and make us sick.

    In 1993, “[t]he scientist, Margie Profet of the University of California at Berkeley, suggests that menstruation evolved as a mechanism for protecting a female’s uterus and Fallopian tubes against harmful microbes delivered by incoming sperm.” http://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/21/science/radical-new-view-of-role-of-menstruation.html?pagewanted=all

    I havn’t stopped thinking about this study for 23 years. I always wondered what microbes would mean for someone who wasn’t yet menstruating. So I guess, when I posted my previous comment/question–I wondered if any science had followed up with this question.

    It doesn’t seem like to much of a stretch to pose the following two questions to the scientific community:

    1) Does trauma weaken the immune system?
    2) Can the microbes delivered by incoming sperm cause endometriosis?

    I really welcome any thoughts or links.

    ~Ariane

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      1. I left a well thought out long response that was awaiting moderation. Now it is gone and that date 1969…what? Oh well. Some other time. I cannot type that much again at this moment. DEC 31 What ?? it was left 6/27/18. I am afraid it was lost someow

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        1. It’s so weird!! I read your amazing comment and approved it. And that date?!? There’s a glitch in the matrix!!! I have it in an email notification and can copy/paste it when I’m on a computer tomorrow

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      2. My original comment concerned that I was diagnosed at age 15 with endo , by age 19 had stage 4 endo, endured horrendous pain and endo recurred and recurred and I had several surgeries and many medications and finally at age 39 had hysterectomy. Was sexually abused repeatedly as young child. Now as adult-middle aged now-have other health problems/auto immune illness and arthrtitis – seemingly a link from childhood abuse and am a 7 on ACES Study. Not good.

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    2. Just 1 quick thing to add to my comment. My sister, endured similar sexual abuse to me, she is 3 yrs older. She too is also sick. Has severe uncontrollable RA she developed 2 yrs ago. So we are both plagued with arthritis -hers autoimmune. My father is alive and well at 79 with zero arthritis whatsoever. Not a lick of it. My mother died at 65, but she also had zero arthritis at all. So it does not run in family and it’s not hereditary. Arthritis seems to be very common in sexual abuse survivors.

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    3. Here is Lisa Moran’s comment that was devoured by WordPress 😉

      Since you are researching/interested..I would like to tell you I believe (and research points to it as well) it is all linked. I am now 52. I was diagnosed at age 15 with endometriosis. From onset of menses at 11, yes just turned 11, I believe I had endo- very 1st period and all after were incredibly painful and heavy. I had the sharp stabbing pains/and doubled over at all x of mo. and by age 19 I had stage 4 endo. Dr said textbook. Worst case she had ever seen and especially in one so young. So they brought in a fertility spec. I was operated on for 6.5 hrs and they reconstructed my ovaries-which had grapefruit sized cysts of endo. I managed to have 2 sons, but both were only conceived after surgeries to remove the constant recurring endo debris. All in all, between age 15 and age 39 when I finally had a hysterectomy- I had somewhere between 11 to 13 surgeries for endo (and later on fibroid tumors along with the endo) I actually lost count of actual surg. But I had this way back when. I was given danazol -no longer used due to side effects-the pill – pseudo menopause drugs etc…point taken-horrendous case of it. I had repeated sexual abuse/trauma as a young child. Even after hysterectomy (i did keep my ovaries though, since I was still in my 30s) still have some endo pain-but it did improve a whole lot since hysterectomy- Even now at 52- I get some endo issues. But I do believe trauma affected my immune system and all the stress chemical rushes from childhood trauma changed my propensity towards illness. Even though I am thin, I have significant arthritis in shoulders, knees etc and have been battling ME/CFS (I contracted the epstiein barr mono virus while in hospital with hysterectomy) Most people will get the mono, but once its over its over. But with my immune system compromised, I was that fraction that develops ME/CFS from it. (also related to childhood sexual abuse0 I have been in and out of counseling since my teens. I believe you can be so traumatized from sexual abuse that not every one can fully work through it (I suppose the severity, duration, age you were etc can determine how badly it effects you as an adult- I know it was a factor in ruining my 12 yr marriage) I basically sweep it under the rug now as I cant seem to ever work through it and I do have blessings in my life and 2 great sons etc-but as I am older now, it seems to wreak havoc on my health. My internal body remembers and it manifests in chronic pain etc. Now every medical disease I do have – I really do have- Its not hypochondria and x rays etc don’t lie- but I believe sex abuse left my body in a weakened state that I have developed all this. One thing you younger girls are probably at least lucky about, I read now that opiate medications are often given for the severe pain of endo…..in all those yrs- except for surgical pain in hospital – I was never given a darn thing to deal with the severe endo pain that would leave me speechless at times where I couldnt even speak or stand up and I just had to writhe in pain. Apparently now they know the intense pain and will give you something to relieve it during severe attacks….so I am guessing most on this site are younger than me – hopefully not for you -but for me and many others sex abuse in childhood causes middle age illness. And it sucks, the one thing I always had going for me was being pretty with a nice figure, but now with arthritis I can’t even hide the pain on my face when I walk and surprisingly still thin even though with ME/CFS I have to lay down so much, I am losing muscle tone. ACES Study I rate a 7 According to that I am expected to die 20 yrs ahead of time at least statistically. I would of never believed that before, but in last 2 yrs or so, I can see that as a possibility. This is why sex offenders should get life in prison or even the chair They ruin entire lives. I’ve tried and tried but will never fully heal. I know many women do heal, so I hope you all do and good luck.

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  15. I got diagnosed two weeks ago and I came across an article that suggested that the two were related.i was abused by my step dad and it’s horrible to think that after all these years he can still affect my life in horrible ways

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    1. *smoosh hugs* from one victim to another. I refuse to gibpve my grandfather any further power over my life. He can rot in hell. I simply cannot accept that my childhood abuse caused my Endo…no…I refuse to allow it. ❤ wishing you strength and courage. And I'm here if you ever need to talk. Lisa

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  16. Thanks so much LISA.dont know if it’s the extra hormones I’m getting pumped with right now that’s making me emotional but just feel everything is getting on top of me right now 😦

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  17. I am up late, wishing to be asleep (but I’m in too much pain to sleep! 😵)… And as usual, thinking about unusual concepts. I have been mulling over a thought I have recently had: that painful reproductive conditions, such as endometriosis (which I suffer from), could possibly be linked to or caused by a psychophysical effect of sexual abuse… So I decided to Google it lol and found this blog site. Now I’m way more interested in this thought!!!
    I was molested by a friend’s father at 15, raped at 16, later ended up marrying a man who seemed nice enough but when my endometriosis got more severe after having children I realized that something was severely off in his psyche (he realized what would cause stabbing pain during intercourse and would intentionally inflict this pain and instantly get off from it! ~I divorced him after 11 years.~), then last year I was raped again…
    Anyway, I am extremely interested to know what you have discovered about this topic!

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  18. I was sexually abused as a toddler and young child and have been sexually assaulted and raped a number of times as a teen and adult and was just diagnosed with endometriosis last week, I also have ITP an autoimmune disease that means my platelets go down slowly and I have SIBO and IBS. I can’t help but believe they are all linked in some way. It’s something I’m super interested in doing some research about. Can’t wait to read more of your blogs. 💚

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  19. Thank you much for writing this! I have thought this for years I was sexually abused as a child and I also have endometriosis. But that’s not the only reason why I thought that they kind of go hand-in-hand it’s because of so many people that I have met that I’ve been sexually abused and they to have endometriosis. So I always thought it was really interesting. Thank you for this!

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  20. I’m not sure if I believe there is a link or not, but I was raped for the first time when I was 11, and got my first period a month after -with full blown endo pains that had me faint and throw up every day.

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  21. I am male but I sympathise strongly with any girl or woman in this situation. Many years ago I had a girl friend who, while a pre-teen, had been sexually abused by an older close relative. She often experienced discomfort, sometimes pain, during sex. This contributed to our eventual break-up. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with Endometriosis, became infertile and was obliged to adopt in order to start a family. I have often wondered if her condition was linked to the abuse.

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  22. I was about 5 or 6.. I was very small when it happened. A close family member had invaded my personal space and privacy. I don’t remember much of what happened. I woke up on my stomach with my head held in the pillow in severe pain and no clothes on at all I started screaming, for a while until my little sister woke up of 2 years and screamed. I don’t remember anything after that I don’t remember driving 160 miles to the guys home and reporting it to his mother. He had then already known druggy and had schizophrenia thus claiming he had done nothing of the sort. My parents told his parents to get him help or they would take him to the police. I’m to this day not sure if I was raped or what happened. I just remember the fear I had and what I turned around to see. For 4 years now I’ve been struggling with gynecologically related problems only 3 months ago was I diagnosed with endometriosis. Seeing as endometrial lining can get damaged and that that is a theory for the cause of endometriosis.. Not proven yet… It has also came to my attention numerous times. I just want you all to know that you are survivors, with or without a history of sexual offense. Sister to sister you are amazing woman.

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  23. I was molested by family members when I was younger and got diagnosed with endo in my twenties, although I felt the symptoms as soon as I got my first period. It bears more research into this strange link.

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  24. I too was molested and sexually abused as a child. I also suffered of endo’ pain for many many years until I had a hysterectomy – another big mistake (in my opinion). But yes, I found your post actually just thinking has anyone else had this thought. Me and some of my friends are all victims of child abuse and out of 4 of us 3 have it, the 4the one has other neurological issues. Thank you.

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  25. I was quite surprised when I was asked by this crackpot GYN if I had been molested growing up because unlike most other women I’ve met with endo no one aside from a couple of my 3rd or 4th cousins in my family have it except for me. I did have some abuse from a bf I had had a few years before which I never spoke to my family about. When the doctor asked I told him “No, nothing ever happened to me” because I just wanted it to be a dead issue and I knew if I tried I would never be able to get it out with my mom there. I knew mom would blame herself forever and nothing would ever take it off her conscience till she died; it is just cruel to know how it would destroy her but tell her anyway. Unfortunately mom still came home feeling like she had to find something concrete to pin the illness on so she dug through the net and found it: Women who have neurological disorders causing disability have a disproportionately high rate of endo, especially the ladies who are quadriplegic (disability in all four limbs) and/or spastic. So I guess you never really know.

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