Özge Özkaya, PhD
Özge has a Phd in Molecular Biology and several years experience working as a bench scientists. She has been working in science communication since 2014.
Uncovering a New Molecular Driver in Endometriosis
The transcription factor SOX18 (SRY-related high-mobility group box 18) has been identified as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine by a team from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China. Endometriosis is already known to be associated with elevated SOX18 expression in ectopic compared with eutopic endometrial tissue. In this study, Dr. Jiayan Wu and colleagues investigated the expression pattern of SOX18 in women with…
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Inflammation, Analgesic Use, and Pelvic Pain: Evidence From Women With and Without Endometriosis
Pain during intercourse and pain with bowel movements are associated with inflammatory markers in women without endometriosis, found a new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. On the other hand, the link between symptoms of pelvic pain and inflammatory markers in women with endometriosis differed based on the use of painkillers. “The complex relationship between inflammation and pelvic pain, including among those without a diagnosis of endometriosis, warrants further research,” the authors of the study said. The…
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New Study Analyzes Burden of Endometriosis
The burden of endometriosis has decreased globally between 1990 and 2021, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Surgery, mainly due to population growth and epidemiologic change. However, there are still significant disparities, especially in regions with a low sociodemographic index. “It is necessary to develop better policies and preventive measures to effectively address the range of problems associated with endometriosis,” the auhtors of the study concluded. To assess the prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years of…
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Employment as an Independent Predictor of Pain and Well-being in Endometriosis
Employment status is a key predictor of health-related quality of life in women with endometriosis, according to a new study in Gynecological Endocrinology. Beyond pain, factors such as professional identity and social integration appear to significantly shape the disease burden. In this cross-sectional study, Dr. Nicola Pluchino and colleagues from Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, assessed 324 women with endometriosis, mean age 32. Most participants (78.2%) had deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), and over one-third (34.5%) had undergone prior surgery. Nearly two-thirds…
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Pelvic MRI May Support Laparoscopy in Endometriosis Management
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the Enzian classification system “offers a structured method” to test for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in the scientific journal Gynechologic and Obsteric Investigation. However, it has limited accuracy for peritoneal or parametrial lesions. To test the accuracy of pelvic MRI interpreted using the Enzian classification system for the diagnosis of endometriosis, a team of researchers led by Dr. Avishalom Sharon from Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University in Safed…
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Soy Consumption and Endometriosis Prevention
A new study published in Fertility and Sterility suggests that regular consumption of soy-based foods may help lower the risk of developing endometriosis—particularly among women without a history of infertility. This supports the growing interest in dietary strategies for managing hormonally driven gynecologic conditions. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health examined data from 82,084 premenopausal women, aged 27 to 44, participating in the Nurses’ Health Study II. Over the study period, 3,829…
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Symptoms Offer Clues in Endometriosis Management
Non-invasive imaging techniques like transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are valuable for identifying deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and ovarian endometriomas. However, these tools often fail to detectperitoneal lesions, which can also cause significant symptoms. A new study published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics highlights the potential of symptom questionnaires as an initial step to guide the diagnosis of endometriosis, and referrals for surgical evaluation. Researchers retrospectively analyzed preoperative questionnaires from 233 patients with surgically and histologically confirmed endometriosis, classified using the…
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Endometriosis Patients Endorse Early Education Programs
Patients with endometriosis strongly support personalized therapeutic patient education programs from the time of diagnosis onwards, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. When they compared the expectation of patients and the point of view of professionals, the auhtors of the study found that healthcare professionals involved in the management of endometriosis were legitimate in setting up endometriosis therapeutic patient education programs. However, there is still a need to develop flexible and tailored…
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Enhanced Recovery Protocols in Deep Endometriosis Surgery
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols may offer significant benefits for patients undergoing complex procedures for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a meta-analysis recently published in Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn. The study found that ERAS programs reduced hospital stays without increasing postoperative complications or readmission rates. Led by Dr. Athanasios Protopapas from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the research team analyzed data from four comparative studies involving 1,662 patients. They reported that ERAS implementation shortened the average…
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Double Circular Stapler Technique: A Safe and Effective Approach for Colorectal Deep Endometriosis
The double circular stapler technique (DCST) offers a safe and effective minimally invasive option for managing colorectal deep endometriosis, according to a long-term follow-up study published in PLOS ONE. Led by Dr. Marlon de Freitas Fonseca from the Crispi Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the Brazilian team analyzed outcomes in 43 women treated with DCST between 2010 and 2021. The study found no conversions to open surgery, no need for blood transfusions or ostomies, and no…
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Unseen Burden: Pelvic Health in Australian Female Soldiers
A new study published in Women & Health reveals that pelvic health concerns—beyond lower urinary tract symptoms—are highly prevalent among Australian female military personnel. Conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction were commonly reported. The implementation of sex-responsive health services within military organizations could help overcome potential issues and increase the well-being of the personnel as well as improve their operational readiness and the outcome of operations. To investigate these issues, Dr. Robin Orr and colleagues from Bond University…
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Investigating SEMA3F in Endometriosis Pathogenesis
Semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F), a protein that plays a role as a tumor suppressor, may control the development of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. It may do so by affecting the proliferation, invasion, and migration of endometrial stromal cells as well as their ferroptosis, or controlled death. This study sheds new light on the biology of endometriosis, potentially opening up new avenues for the development of novel therapies against the disease. To…
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Salivary miRNAs as Biomarkers for Endometriosis
Small molecules called micro-RNAs (miRNAs) found in saliva could be potential biomarkers, not only to detect endometriosis in a non-invasive manner but also to predict the response of the disease to treatment. This promising idea comes from a new study published in Biomolecules, where researchers suggest that a non-invasive saliva test could reduce diagnostic delays and help personalize treatment for women with endometriosis. To explore this possibility, Dr. Giuseppe Vizzielli and his team from the University of Udine in Italy analyzed salivary miRNAs…
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Discoid or Segmental? GI Symptom Recovery Compared
A new study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica has found that nerve- and vessel-sparing segmental resection for deep colorectal endometriosis leads to better long-term gastrointestinal function compared to full-thickness discoid resection. While both surgeries initially improve symptoms, only the segmental resection appears to maintain that improvement over time. Researchers followed 92 women who underwent either segmental or discoid resection between 2017 and 2022. They evaluated outcomes using both the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and a questionnaire…
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Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Shares Genetic Risk with Endometriosis and Fibroids
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common yet underexplored condition affecting millions of women worldwide. It can severely impact quality of life and is often associated with other gynecologic disorders like endometriosis and fibroids. In a recent landmark study published in Blood, researchers led by Dr. Andrew D. Johnson at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute conducted the largest genetic study of HMB to date, involving over 84,000 cases and 598,000 controls from five biobanks across multiple ancestries. Through…
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Peritoneal Endometriosis Impairs Ovarian Reserve in a Rat Model
Peritoneal endometriosis significantly decreases the health of the ovaries, found a new study conducted in a rat model. It does so by disrupting the development of ovarian follicles, reducing ovarian reserve, and increasing programmed cell death. In other words, it speeds up the aging of the ovaries, contributing to infertility. “These results underscore the need for further research to identify the molecular pathways involved and to develop targeted therapeutic strategies,” the authors of the study said. To better understand the…
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Targeting Osteopontin to Detect and Treat Endometriosis
The protein osteopontin is significantly elevated in ectopic endometrial stromal cells and in the menstrual blood of individuals with endometriosis, according to a recent study published in Human Reproduction. The findings suggest that osteopontin plays a key role in driving inflammation and lesion development in endometriosis—and may serve as both a therapeutic target and a non-invasive diagnostic marker. To explore this, a research team led by Dr. Ping Duan from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Second Affiliated…
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Safety of Resident-Performed Early Stage Endometriosis Surgery Assessed
Gynecology residents and fellows can safely perform minimally invasive surgery for early-stage endometriosis, according to a new study from researchers in Germany. Although operative times are slightly longer when procedures are performed by trainees, patient safety and recovery outcomes remain comparable to those of experienced surgeons. To evaluate the impact of surgical experience on safety and efficiency, Dr. Schmidt and the team led by Dr. Roxana Schwab at the University Medical Centre Mainz analyzed data from 580 patients with stage…
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Dysregulated Metabolomic Signatures of Young Patients With Endometriosis
A new study published in Human Reproduction reveals that adolescents and young adults with endometriosis exhibit significant dysregulation in their plasma metabolomic profiles. In particular, fatty acyls and ceramides were found to be elevated in patients with endometriosis compared to those without the disease. To investigate the metabolomic alterations associated withadolescents and young adult endometriosis, Dr.Lin and Dr.Sasamoto and colleagues from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Boston Center for Endometriosis conducted a cross-sectional study involving 190 adolescents…
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Having Endometriosis Surgery After IVF Better, Study Suggests
A new study published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics suggests that performing in vitro fertilization (IVF) before surgery may lead to better IVF outcomes for women with endometrioma. To determine the optimal treatment sequence, Dr. Ivan Sini and colleagues from Morula IVF Jakarta Clinic conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 279 women with endometriosis between January 2018 and December 2022. Among them, 86 women with ovarian endometriomas underwent IVF treatment. The study compared three groups: a)Women who underwent IVF followed…
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