“PWCs are several times more likely to have concomitant medical problems or comorbidities than unaffected individuals. The most common is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, experienced by up to 60% of PWCs. The next most common is irritable bladder or interstitial cystitis. There are at least 30 more comorbidities, of which endometriosis is one. The entire list is:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Overactive bladder or Interstitial Cystitis
- Acne rosacea (butterfly redness and acne on the face)
- Temperomandibular Dysfunction
- HPGA Axis suppression
- Hypogonadism
- Premature menopause
- Sleep disorders (sleep apnea, myoclonus / PLMS, non-restorative sleep)
- Restless Leg Syndrome / Periodic Leg Movement syndrome (PLMS)
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
- Hypersensitivities to light, sound, smell, touch, chemicals or odors
- Sacroiliac joint tenderness
- Hypoglycemia
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Premenstrual Syndrome or Premenstural Dysphoric Disorder
- Allergies
- Vasomotor (autonomic or non-allergic) rhinitis
- B12 deficiency
- Gut motility disorder with dysphagia, early satiety, nausea, and/or constipation
- Celiac- or sprue-like disorders with sensitivity to wheat, grains, or gluten
- Autonomic dysfunction with low blood pressure, orthostatic symptoms or syncope (NMH)
- Sicca complex or Sjogren’s syndrome
- Bronchostriction (reactive airways or asthma)
- Macrocytosis (large red cells, causes low sedimentation rate)
- Abdomino-pelvic pain
- Vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis
- Joint hyperlaxity with or without hyperelasticity (Ehlers-Danlos Stigmata)
- Bruisability
- Visual midline shift syndrome with imbalance and listing to one side
- Milk protein intolerance
- Costochondritis
- Endometriosis
- Metabolic Syndrome”