New research is drawing a surprising link between two conditions that affect millions of women.A major study finds women with endometriosis face a 46% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.Researchers analyzed health records from nearly 3 million participants 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.According to the results, diabetes risk was highest in women whose endometriosis extended beyond the pelvic region, and among premenopausal women and those without obesity — groups not usually flagged as high-risk for diabetes.Researchers believe chronic inflammation associated with endometriosis may play a role, but say more research is needed. And they stress the findings show a link — not that endometriosis causes diabetes.If confirmed, the findings could help identify women who may benefit from earlier diabetes screening or prevention strategies.Source: DiabetologiaAuthor Affiliations: George Mason University, University of Utah, University of Arizona, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Intermountain Health .Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter