Endometriosis Linked To Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — New research is drawing a surprising link between two conditions that affect millions of women.

A major study — published Aug. 6 in the journal Diabetologia — finds women with endometriosis face a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"Previous studies largely evaluated endometriosis as a single condition and generally reported little or no overall association with type 2 diabetes," said lead author Fuzak Nunziato, a doctoral student in epidemiology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. 

"Our findings add to a growing understanding that endometriosis may affect more than reproductive health alone," she added in a news release.

For the study, researchers analyzed health records from nearly 3 million women over a 25-year span, comparing diabetes risk in those with and without endometriosis.

The condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.

The study found diabetes risk was highest in women whose endometriosis extended beyond the pelvic region, as well as premenopausal women and those without obesity — groups not usually flagged as high-risk for diabetes.

Researchers suspect chronic inflammation associated with endometriosis may play a role, but say more research is needed.

They stress the findings show a link but do not prove that endometriosis causes diabetes.

If confirmed, the findings could help identify women who may benefit from earlier diabetes screening or prevention strategies.

More information

The Mayo Clinic has more on endometriosis and type 2 diabetes.

SOURCE: HealthDay TV, Aug. 12, 2026