Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata): Comorbidity, Risks and Implications

Outi Uimari; Hannah Nazri; Thomas Tapmeier

doi:10.3389/frph.2021.750018

Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata): Comorbidity, Risks and Implications

Front Reprod Health. 2021 Oct 26:3:750018. doi: 10.3389/frph.2021.750018. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Outi Uimari^{1

2

3}, Hannah Nazri³, Thomas Tapmeier^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland.
² PEDEGO Research Unit (Research Unit for Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Surgery, Child Psychiatry, Dermatology, Clinical Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology) and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
³ Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Uterine Fibroids (leiomyomata) and endometriosis affect millions of women world-wide. Although aetiology and natural history of the conditions are markedly different, symptoms can overlap and make differential diagnoses necessary, often using invasive methods such as laparoscopy. Considerable comorbidity exists between the two conditions and needs to be taken into account when treating fibroids and/or endometriosis. The genetic foundations of both uterine fibroids and endometriosis remain to be fully understood but recent evidence suggest common underpinnings. Here, we discuss the comorbidity of uterine fibroids and endometriosis and the implications for diagnosis, treatment and risks.

Keywords: comorbidity; endometriosis; leiomyoma; symptoms; uterine fibroids.

Publication types

Review