Women with endometriosis at 46% higher risk of diabetes, study suggests

A recent study has discovered that women diagnosed with endometriosis are 46% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without the condition, according to research led by George Mason University in the United States. Endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, results in severe pelvic pain, painful periods, and fertility issues.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly three million women in the Utah Population Database between 1996 and 2021, including around 100,000 diagnosed with endometriosis. The study found a strong correlation between endometriosis and type 2 diabetes, particularly in premenopausal women and those without obesity, groups typically not considered at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

Certain forms of endometriosis, such as extra-pelvic endometriosis, appeared to have a more significant association with diabetes than others. The researchers suggest that chronic inflammation in endometriosis may contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Further studies are needed to better understand the biological pathways underlying these findings, which could help physicians identify women at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and enable earlier screening or prevention efforts.