EXPLORATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOURS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

INTRODUCTION & AIMS: Pain and fatigue are common symptoms of endometriosis and are associated with reduced quality of life (QoL) and poorer mental health. Although physical activity is known to support physical and psychological well-being, concerns about symptom exacerbation mean that clear exercise guidelines for this population remain limited. This study aimed to explore demographic characteristics, physical activity and exercise behaviours, mental health, and quality of life among Australian women with endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 202 respondents (68% survey completion rate; mean age 29 years). Self-reported measures included exercise self-efficacy (SEE), physical activity levels (Short-Form International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ), weekly exercise duration and intensity, mental health symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales; DASS-21), and disease-specific QoL (Endometriosis Health Profile-30; EHP-30). Non-parametric statistical analyses were used to examine associations and group differences. RESULTS: Women engaging in moderate-intensity exercise reported significantly better health-related quality of life than those engaging in light-intensity exercise (χ²(2, n = 143) = 7.346). Significant group differences were also observed for depression (χ²(2, n = 134) = 10.039) and anxiety (χ²(2, n = 134) = 6.247), with lower symptom scores among those performing moderate-intensity exercise. Weekly exercise duration was inversely correlated with EHP-30 scores (r(n = 140) = −.285, p < .001), indicating improved HRQoL with greater exercise duration. Greater exercise duration was also associated with lower depression (r(n = 131) = −.264, p = .002) and anxiety scores (r(n = 131) = −.211, p = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity exercise and greater weekly exercise duration were associated with improved quality of life and mental health outcomes in women with endometriosis. These findings support the potential role of appropriately prescribed physical activity in this population and highlight the need for intervention studies to inform evidence-based exercise guidelines.