10/08/2026
💙 October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month
For some people living with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), these symptoms may be related to a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and temperature regulation.
One of the most recognized forms of dysautonomia associated with EDS is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Research increasingly supports an association between the two.
A 2026 systematic review examining 30 studies involving more than 21,000 people with EDS or POTS found that the two conditions frequently co-occur. However, reported prevalence varied substantially among different study populations, and researchers emphasized that more research is needed to understand the relationship and improve care.
Researchers have proposed several possible contributors to orthostatic intolerance in EDS, but the exact mechanisms connecting EDS and dysautonomia are not yet fully understood.
That's an important distinction: An association does not necessarily mean that EDS causes POTS—or that everyone with EDS will develop dysautonomia.
But for people experiencing symptoms, recognizing the connection can be an important step toward asking the right questions and receiving appropriate evaluation. Research in this area can improve care and quality of life.
📚 Sources:
Kwok CS, et al. The co-existence of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A systematic review of the literature.* Autonomic Neuroscience. 2026.
Hakim A, et al. Dysautonomia in the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders—With a focus on the postural tachycardia syndrome.* American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C. 2021.
Roma M, et al. *Postural tachycardia syndrome and other forms of orthostatic intolerance in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.* Autonomic Neuroscience. 2018.
