Posted by Endometriosis is a severely complex disorder where the tissue like the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus (Li et al., 2023). This condition currently affects 6-10% of women of reproductive age with symptoms being chronic pelvic pain or infertility (Li et al., 2023). This condition has the ability to significantly impact a woman’s quality of life (Li et al., 2023). Although it still is not certain what the precise cause is, the pathogenesis of endometriosis is thought to involve a combinate of genetic immune, hormonal factors and environmental factors (Li et al., 2023).
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue, which normally lines the inside of the uterus, impants and grows outside the uterine cavity that is typically found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic peritoneum (Gawron et al., 2025). This tissue causes severe inflammation, scarring and formation of adhesions, that disrupts the function of the affected organs (Gawron et al., 2025). The most accepted theory is that its development is retrograde menstruation (Gawron et al., 2025). This means that menstrual blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity, implanting endometrial cells outside the uterus (Gawron et al., 2025). Over time, the cells could invade immune detection and lead to the formation of painful lesions and scar tissues (Gawron et al., 2025).
Endometriosis not only takes a physical toll on a women, it can also have negative affects on a woman’s mental health. Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress are common among those with the condition (Gawron et al., 2025) (Najdi et al., 2024). Between the chronic pain and infertility that is common with endometriosis, heightened anxiety levels are also a side effect. (Najdi et al., 2024). Research shown that women with endometriosis experience anxiety at significantly higher rates after surgery (Najdi et al., 2024). The study comparing women with endometriosis to healthy controls, those diagnosed were marked higher in anxiety levels particularly due to concerns of pain, infertility and uncertain outcomes due to long-term treatments (Najdi et al., 2024). The mental health impact can have an extreme social and emotional toll affecting relationships, self-esteem and quality of life. I used water colors to give a visual element on what endometriosis can look like. This project gave a deeper understanding of endometriosis and how it not only can affect women physically, but how it can affect them emotionally and mentally.
References
Gawron, I., Derbisz, K., Jach, R., Trojnarska, D., Milian-Ciesielska, K., & Pietrus, M. (2025). Pelvic peritoneal endometriosis is linked to the endometrial inflammatory profile: A prospective cohort study. BMC Women’s Health, 25(94). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03632-3
Li, Y., Liu, H., Ye, S., Zhang, B., Li, X., Yuan, J., Du, Y., Wang, J., & Yang, Y. (2023). The effects of coagulation factors on the risk of endometriosis: A Mendelian randomization study. BMC Medicine, 21(195). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-02881-z
Najdi, N., Vakilian, K., Almasi-Hashiani, A., Mirzaie, F., Shokrpoor, M., & Karimi, H. (2024). Anxiety in women with endometriosis – A cross-sectional study. The Open Public Health Journal, 17, https://doi.org/10.2174/0118749445308945240614110217
This STEAM project by Kaleah Montanona takes a look at the somewhat common condition of endometriosis, targeting about 6-10% of women that are of reproductive age. Symptoms can range from chronic pelvic pain to infertility, and along with these physical tolls on women’s health, endometriosis negatively affects women’s mental and emotional health. Studies show that heightened anxiety levels and stress rates are also a side effects. Although there is no certain cause for endometriosis, the development is thought to be a combination of genetic, immune, hormonal, and environmental factors. This condition occurs when endometrial-like tissues which normally line the inside of the uterus, become implanted and start to develop outside of the uterine cavity, often attaching to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This STEAM project on endometriosis is also accompanied by a beautiful piece of watercolor artwork that aims to visually show the effects of endometriosis on a uterus, as we can see by the endometrial-like tissue growing outside of the uterine cavity on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This project gives me a deeper understanding of not only the physical effects that many with endometriosis go through, but also the emotional and mental strain it puts on those who have it.