“You just can’t enjoy life in the… in the same way and…everything becomes exhausting… like what’s the point in this?” – Study Participant
This was how one participant in a qualitative study on endometriosis and pain described their experiences with the condition (de C Williams et al., 2026). While everyone’s experiences of living with a chronic illness are unique, this quote conveys something that statistics alone might not be able to: that endometriosis is more than just a painful, heavy period. It is a condition that impacts one’s education, career, health, relationships and everyday life.
Clinically, endometriosis is a complex disease in which endometrial tissue that typically grows inside the uterus spreads to other areas, including the bowel, ovaries, bladder, and, less commonly, the chest. Often accompanied by chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, painful intercourse, and infertility, it affects nearly 10% percent (176 million) of women worldwide. Despite its prevalence, symptoms are often dismissed, and diagnosis remains delayed (averaging 9 years for women in the UK) as individuals spend years searching for answers.
Recently, a growing body of literature shows how the impacts of endometriosis extend far beyond physical health, with research showing consistently higher rates of depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and even self-directed violence in individuals with this condition (Laganà et al., 2017; Estes et al., 2021)
Chronic pain remains one of the core factors implicated in the association between endometriosis and mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety (Gambadauro et al., 2018). Other important correlating factors, such as age, self-esteem, social adjustment, fatigue, efficacy, pain imagery, sexual function, and quality of life, have also been identified (van Barneveld et al., 2022).
While clinicians and researchers acknowledge the far-reaching consequences of endometriosis beyond daily life, an important question arises, one that has comparatively received far less attention:
What might living with endometriosis mean for the risk of suicide?
In 2023, a mother of an 18-year-old with diagnosed endometriosis and adenomyosis (a condition where the uterine tissue grows into the muscular uterine wall, causing enlargement and heavy bleeding) shared her daughter Trinity’s final words as being in “unbearable pain” and exhaustion of “living in a body that isn’t my body”, before her death by suicide.
For many, Trinity’s story may be a difficult read, but it serves as a reminder that chronic gynaecological conditions extend far beyond visible physical symptoms. It also raises a crucial concern: If endometriosis can influence so many aspects of an individual’s life, what do we know about its relationship with suicidal ideation and behaviours?
Recent studies indicate that women with endometriosis are at a higher risk of suicidal ideation as compared to those without the condition, and that the relationship between endometriosis and suicidality may be influenced by a complex set of factors such as pain, surgical treatments, psychological distress following pregnancy loss and, surprisingly, even relational factors such as insecure attachment styles (Zarbo et al., 2025).
Another population-based study in Canada found an association between endometriosis and intentional self-harm, overdose, and suicide (Thiel et al., 2025), especially amongst individuals who had been diagnosed only recently.
Studies in related chronic gynaecological conditions, including PMOS (Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) – previously PCOS – have highlighted increased rates of suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts (Wong et al., 2025).
In 2019, the BBC asked more than 13,500 women about their experiences with endometriosis, with nearly 50% sharing that they had experienced suicidal thoughts and relied on extremely addictive painkillers to manage their symptoms.
This dismal situation proved even worse when these individuals shared the extent to which this illness has impacted their education, work, social life, mental health and intimate relationships. Diagnostic delays, stigma, dismissive attitudes by healthcare workers and poor pain management all contribute to increased suicidal risk, with some attempting suicide due to a lack of support in their lives.
What this means for future research
When considered together, these findings highlight a number of issues. First, they do not necessarily suggest a causal relationship between endometriosis and suicidal ideation and behaviours, nor do they imply that suicidal risk is an unavoidable consequence of living with this chronic condition.
However, what they do highlight is that suicidality should be prioritised in current conversations relating to endometriosis research. So, what are we missing?
We know that an association between endometriosis and mental health outcomes exists and that experiences of chronic illness, social isolation and experiences of delayed diagnosis or inequitable healthcare can impact psychological wellbeing for these individuals. More work on the pathways to suicide risk is urgently needed. In addition, there are many unanswered questions:
For instance,
How does living with chronic illness influence one’s sense of control and hope? Given the rather turbulent relationship between healthcare services and individuals seeking care for endometriosis, what role could diagnostic delays and poor healthcare services play?
Could repeated experiences of dismissive behaviours, misdiagnosis and uncertainty contribute to the factors influencing suicidal risk? And what particular experiences, either perpetuating or protective, help individuals with endometriosis-related suicidal ideation cope?
Conclusion
As new evidence related to suicide risk in the context of chronic illnesses emerges, we have an opportunity to ensure that endometriosis is no longer overlooked in this ongoing conversation. In doing so, we can identify opportunities for earlier and more comprehensive mental health support and prevention, better informed healthcare service delivery and more in-depth understanding of suicidality and chronic health conditions.
Author Bio: Fatima Hayat Malik is an MSc Global Mental Health student at the University of Glasgow. Her research interests include women’s mental health and wellbeing and community-based mental health responses. She has contributed to academic research-based projects on these topics and has also been involved in mental health awareness and advocacy initiatives in addition to her studies.
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory 