Endometriosis in Adolescence: A Narrative Review of the Psychological and Clinical Implications

Fabiola Panvino, Roberto Paparella, Francesco Pisani, Francesca Tarani, Giampiero Ferraguti, Marco Fiore, Ignazio Ardizzone, Luigi Tarani
Diagnostics · 2025 · vol. 15(5) , pp. 548 · doi:10.3390/diagnostics15050548 · PMID:40075795 · W4407903096
review OA: gold CC0 ⤵ 6 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review examines the psychological and psychosocial effects of endometriosis in adolescents, exploring biological and psychological mechanisms, and discussing integrated medical and psychological therapeutic strategies for improved well-being.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, affecting around 10% of women of reproductive age. This condition is associated with debilitating symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and infertility. Adolescents with endometriosis face unique challenges, as the disease is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for an average of 7-10 years due to its complex and multifactorial nature. Consequently, patients frequently suffer from worsening symptoms and significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. While there is no definitive cure for endometriosis, treatment approaches typically involve hormonal therapies, lifestyle adjustments (such as diet and exercise), and psychological support. Recent studies emphasize the profound impact of endometriosis on the mental health of adolescents, highlighting the need for a more holistic treatment approach that integrates both medical and psychological care. This narrative review explores the psychological and psychosocial effects of endometriosis in adolescents, examining the biological and psychological mechanisms linking the disease to mental health outcomes. It also discusses current therapeutic strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and peer support, and underscores the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care to mitigate both the physical and emotional burdens of the condition. This integrated approach is critical in improving the overall well-being and quality of life for adolescents living with endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paindysmenorrheadyspareuniainfertility

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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