Objectives: Previous studies have investigated the impact of endometriosis on intimate relationships using a qualitative framework. However, a quantitative dyadic examination of relationship variables for couples living with endometriosis is lacking. This study examined the impact of endometriosis on relationships using a quantitative dyadic analysis approach.
Design: 50 couples completed individual online surveys assessing levels of emotional intimacy, empathic concern, relationship satisfaction, psychological health, and health-related communication.
Results: A greater level of psychological impairment was found for women with endometriosis compared to their partners. Higher levels of emotional intimacy were associated with higher levels of endometriosis symptom agreement in couples and relationship satisfaction. Empathic concern was found to influence women’s overall level of relationship satisfaction and was linked to increased level of health-related knowledge in partners.
Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the impact of endometriosis on the relationship variables of emotional intimacy, empathic concern and relationship satisfaction in a quantitative manner. The findings highlight the importance of viewing the condition through a dyadic lens, as endometriosis is a shared experience within the couple rather than an isolated experience occurring for the individual members of a couple. The findings also highlight the importance of understanding the full range of endometriosis-related symptoms experienced by women and the facilitation of opportunities for women to discuss these symptoms, and associated impacts, with their partner.