Study links endometriosis and uterine fibroids to premature death risk

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, known as endometrium, grows outside the uterus. [iStockphoto]

A recent study from the Nurses' Health Study II has revealed long-term health risks linked to endometriosis and uterine fibroids. These common reproductive health conditions increase the risk of dying prematurely, before the age of 70, from complications such as respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders and gynaecological cancers.

The study tracked over 110,000 women for nearly three decades, making it one of the most detailed investigations into these conditions. Women diagnosed with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis were found to have a 31 per cent higher risk of premature death than those without the condition.