Physical Activity in Women with Endometriosis: Less or More Compared with a Healthy Control?

Maike Katja Sachs (), Ioannis Dedes, Samia El-Hadad, Annika Haufe, Dalia Rueff, Alexandra Sabrina Kohl Schwartz, Felix Haeberlin, Stephanie von Orelli, Markus Eberhard and Brigitte Leeners
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Maike Katja Sachs: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Ioannis Dedes: Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Inselspital Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Samia El-Hadad: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Annika Haufe: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Dalia Rueff: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Alexandra Sabrina Kohl Schwartz: Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
Felix Haeberlin: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Canton Hospital St. Gallen, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Stephanie von Orelli: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Triemli Hospital Zurich, 8063 Zurich, Switzerland
Markus Eberhard: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Canton Hospital Schaffhausen, 8208 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Brigitte Leeners: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Endometriosis, i.e., endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting physical functioning. However, the specific levels of physical activity (PA) in the context of endometriosis and different disease symptoms remain unclear. Methods: This multi-center, cross-sectional study compared PA levels and influencing factors in endometriosis patients and non-endometriosis patients. Data were collected through questionnaires. Endometriosis was surgically confirmed. A statistical analysis was performed with appropriate tests. Results: The study included 460 women with endometriosis and 460 age-matched women without this condition. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, education level, or stable partnership. Women with endometriosis exhibited lower PA levels, practicing fewer hours of sports weekly and climbing fewer stairs daily compared to the control group. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounding factors. Factors such as endometriosis, current dysmenorrhea, and depression were associated with decreased PA. Conclusions: These findings suggest that women with endometriosis engage in less PA compared to those without this condition. These results highlight the need for interventions to promote increased PA in endometriosis patients and harness the associated health benefits. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop tailored exercise therapies for this population.

Keywords: endometriosis; physical activity; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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