Potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic on endometriosis

Chen-Yang Huang; Hai-Xiang Sun; Jie Mei

doi:10.1097/RD9.0000000000000015

Potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic on endometriosis

Reprod Dev Med. 2022 Sep;6(3):138-143. doi: 10.1097/RD9.0000000000000015. Epub 2022 Sep 30.

Authors

Chen-Yang Huang^{1

2}, Hai-Xiang Sun^{1

2}, Jie Mei^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
² Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.

Abstract

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on endometriosis (EM) is currently unclear. Here, we aimed to describe the potential influence of COVID-19 on the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, and treatment of EM. The cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 may induce the occurrence and progression of EM, and immunosuppression of COVID-19 may help the ectopic endometrium escape from immune clearance. Consequently, the forced social isolation and the cancelation of non-emergency medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic aggravate anxiety and psychological pressure, which can aggravate the symptoms related to EM and delay routine medical services.

Keywords: COVID-19; Endometriosis; Infertility; Pathogenesis; Pelvic pain.