Women with endometriosis had a higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease

Endometriosis was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio 1.69) in 19,903 women in Beijing compared with 79,612 matched women without it, in a cohort published Sept. 18, 2026, in Journal of Global Health. It suggests menstrual health and heart health are connected.

Endometriosis is usually thought of as a gynecological problem: pelvic pain, painful periods and fertility trouble. But it involves chronic inflammation and hormonal changes that could affect blood vessels.

What did the study look at?

Researchers used health insurance claims from employees in Beijing between 2010 and 2017. They identified 19,903 women with endometriosis and matched each with four women without it of similar age and diagnosis year, for 79,612 controls. They followed them for new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, including major heart events and cerebrovascular disease such as stroke.

What did the study find about menstrual health?

• After accounting for urban living, high blood pressure and diabetes, endometriosis was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio 1.69).
• The risk of major cardiovascular disease was also higher (1.83), as was the risk of cerebrovascular disease (1.57).
• The link was similar in women aged 18 to 44 and those aged 45 to 55.
• An exploratory analysis suggested that part of the link was statistically related to statin and aspirin use.

Why does this matter?

About one in ten women of reproductive age have endometriosis. If it raises cardiovascular risk, it could be an early warning sign that deserves attention to blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle, even in young women.

How solid is this evidence?

It’s moderate. Mongevity rates it C on our A-to-E scale: a large population cohort with matched controls. Limits: insurance data can misclassify diagnoses, important factors such as smoking, weight or hormonal treatments may not have been fully accounted for, and the population was employees in one city. The medication analysis is exploratory and hard to interpret.

What are the open questions?

It remains to be clarified whether endometriosis itself raises cardiovascular risk, through inflammation or hormones, or whether its treatments, such as surgery that removes the ovaries, contribute.

What does this mean for you?

If you have endometriosis, ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar regularly, and keep up heart-healthy habits: being active, not smoking and eating well. Knowing your risk helps you act early.

How do I explain this at dinner?

Endometriosis isn’t only about painful periods. In a large study in Beijing, women who had it were more likely to develop heart and blood vessel disease later, at younger and older ages alike. A good question for the table: what other conditions might send early signals about the heart?

In one sentence: in a population-based cohort, endometriosis was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with no significant difference between age groups.