Reducing False Negatives in Endometriosis Histology Through Deeper Sections

Reducing False Negatives in Endometriosis Histology Through Deeper Sections By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A group of researchers led by gynecopathologist Professor Joseph Rabban has published their findings in the International Journal of Gynecological Pathology, evaluating the diagnostic utility of deeper tissue sections in biopsies from patients with suspected endometriosis. The definitive diagnosis of…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Role of Uterine Contractility in Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

The Role of Uterine Contractility in Endometriosis and Adenomyosis By Eylül GÜN

Uterine peristalsis, crucial for functions like menstruation and embryo transport, is regulated by hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. Altered peristalsis may contribute to reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. Abnormal uterine contractility patterns, including hyperperistalsis, may help explain…

Key Points Lay Summary

MicroRNA-Mediated Hormone Dysregulation in Endometriosis

MicroRNA-Mediated Hormone Dysregulation in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The expressions of certain micro RNAs and estrogen receptor (ER) beta are significantly upregulated while that of ER alfa is downregulated in the ectopic endometrium, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Biomedicines. However, the expression of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immune Dynamics in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis

Immune Dynamics in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis By Hakan Kula

In a study published in the Cells, Khashchenko et. al investigated the potential role of immune cell imbalances in adolescent peritoneal endometriosis, and their potential impact on disease progression and response to progestogen therapy. This study provides new insights into how immune imbalances in adolescents with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menstrual Blood Biomarkers for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Endometriosis

Menstrual Blood Biomarkers for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Aromatase, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), and 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) levels in the menstrual blood can differentiate between patients with endometriosis and those without, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. …

Key Points Lay Summary

Retrograde Menstruation: Insights from Humans and Non-Human Primates

Retrograde Menstruation: Insights from Humans and Non-Human Primates By Selma Oransay

Vigano et al.from the Academic Center for Research on Adenomyosis and Endometriosis of Milan University, Italy, conducted a comprehensive literature review over a span of 23 years to evaluate retrograde menstruation in both humans and non-human primates, focusing on its role…

Key Points Lay Summary

Integrating Virtual Reality Modeling for Enhanced Surgical Management of Endometriosis

Integrating Virtual Reality Modeling for Enhanced Surgical Management of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted by experts are generally sufficient for the surgical planning and management of endometriosis, as noted in a recent study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, incorporating novel techniques such as 3D printing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does endometriosis have an adverse effect on sperm activity?

Does endometriosis have an adverse effect on sperm activity?  By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is one of the symptoms encountered in up to 40-50% of women with endometriosis. There are several pathophysiological theories suggesting the development of endometriosis-associated infertility such as altered pelvic anatomy, adhesions, disrupted ovarian reserve/function and compromised endometrial receptivity as…

Key Points Lay Summary

Knowledge synthesis of the "Relevance of Endometriosis Diagnostic Tools"

Knowledge synthesis of the By Selma Oransay

Spiers et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine at Angers University Hospital in France identified significant diagnostic challenges and the absence of definitive diagnostic tools for endometriosis. In response, they evaluated existing medical literature to enhance diagnostic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Metabolic and Cellular Changes in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis

Metabolic and Cellular Changes in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis By Hakan Kula

In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences,  Khashchenko et al. explored the association of cellular and exosomal markers of glycolysis, mitochondrial biogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and estrogen signaling in peritoneal endometriosis among adolescents to understand early disease-related metabolic reprogramming. This case–control…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis: Investigating Theoretical Causes and Pathogenesis

Endometriosis: Investigating Theoretical Causes and Pathogenesis By Selma Oransay

Understanding the etiology of endometriosis is crucial for preventing its occurrence and minimizing the significant health burdens it imposes on women. As current treatment options are limited and often lead to severe side effects, identifying potential causes can empower women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians Zhang and Yan from Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China, have recently published a pivotal study in Scientific Reports examining the cancer risk associated with endometriosis. Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting approximately 6–10% of women worldwide, significantly diminishes quality of life…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Sheds Light on the Role of Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis

Study Sheds Light on the Role of Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Three genes, TNFSF12, AP3M1, and PDK2 could be key biomarkers of programmed cell death in endometriosis, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. “These findings provide new directions for the early diagnosis and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic port site complications.

 Laparoscopic port site complications. By Selma Oransay

Dr. Semm performed the first laparoscopic surgery in September 1980 at the University of Kiel, marking a significant milestone. Following 1985, laparoscopy expanded beyond urogynecology into various medical fields, becoming widely accepted for interventions in multiple anatomical spaces. In recent…

Key Points Lay Summary

Appendiceal Endometriosis Associated With Ovarian and Bladder Endometriosis

Appendiceal Endometriosis Associated With Ovarian and Bladder Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

There is a significant association between appendiceal, ovarian, and bladder endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This could be explained by the spread of the disease via the shedding of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Gluten-free diet fot endometriosis-associated gastrointestinal symptoms

Gluten-free diet fot endometriosis-associated gastrointestinal symptoms By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis often report gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping,may have a negative impact on women’s lives having endometriosis and which can mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)  leading to potential misdiagnosis. A commonly suggested dietary…

Key Points Lay Summary

The prevalence of deep and superficial dyspareunia in women with endometriosis..

The prevalence of deep and superficial dyspareunia in women with endometriosis.. By Selma Oransay

Almost half of the women affected by endometriosis experience both superficial and deep dyspareunia. While superficial dyspareunia is less studied, deep dyspareunia is often linked to mechanical pressure on endometriotic lesions or tissue rigidity. To address the sexual difficulties faced…

Key Points Lay Summary

Nerve-Sparing Surgery Safe in DIE

Nerve-Sparing Surgery Safe in DIE By Özge Özkaya

Robot-assisted nerve-sparing modified radical hysterectomy is associated with longer operative times and lower estimated blood loss compared to the conventional laparoscopic approach to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of…

Key Points Lay Summary

An observational study on predicting endometriosis recurrence risk.

An observational study on predicting endometriosis recurrence risk. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis presents in various ways, and improper management can lead to recurrence. Studies show that the recurrence rate can range from 6% to 67%. Factors that may increase this risk include having severe or deep forms of the disease, being…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo

Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo By Özge Özkaya

Pregnant women with endometriosis have a higher risk of having a premature baby and other poor pregnancy outcomes compared to those without the disease, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. This finding highlights the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Intraoperative Transvaginal Ultrasound-Guided Resection of Bowel Endometriosis

Intraoperative Transvaginal Ultrasound-Guided Resection of Bowel Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Alec et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Geneva University Hospitals aimed to show how to manage rectal endometriosis using ultrasound in a narrative video. The main goal of their procedure was to check the rectal wall…

Key Points Lay Summary

Intrinsic Potential Factors in Retrograde Menstruation

Intrinsic Potential Factors in Retrograde Menstruation By Hakan Kula

The mechanistic model of endometriosis pathogenesis suggests that anatomical factors promoting retrograde menstruation are crucial and biologically sound. This model is supported by the strong link between obstructive Müllerian anomalies and endometriosis, indicating a causal relationship between the amount of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bladder Endometriosis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Bladder Endometriosis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions By Selma Oransay

About 70-80% of urinary tract endometriosis occurs in the bladder, particularly affecting the base and dome regions. Endometriotic lesions can penetrate the detrusor muscle either partially or completely. Endometriosis affecting the uterovesical fold peritoneum or deep endometriosis that does not involve…

Key Points Lay Summary

What are Patients with Endometriosis Discussing Online?

What are Patients with Endometriosis Discussing Online? By Özge Özkaya

People mostly use online health communities about endometriosis to learn about the symptoms of the disease and share their own medical experiences, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. The posts and comments of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Sleep Disorders and Endometriosis

Sleep Disorders and Endometriosis By Hakan Kula

A new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology by a team lead by Bruno et al., reveals that endometriosis is associated with decreased sleep quality and hyperarousal.   Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting millions of women, often causing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Post Surgery Endometrioma Recurrence

Post Surgery Endometrioma Recurrence By Selma Oransay

Endometrioma is a common form of endometriosis. Endometrioma cystectomy is the preferred treatment, as it is more effective than ablation or laser vaporization in reducing pain and recurrence. While medical treatment can help prevent recurrence after surgery, postoperative hormonal therapy…

Key Points Lay Summary

Performance of the 2021 AAGL endometriosis classification

Performance of the 2021 AAGL endometriosis classification By Selma Oransay

The most common scoring system is the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) staging system for endometriosis. However, this classification system was widely criticized for failing to correlate surgical complexity and to show patients' pain scales and fertility indexes.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Personalized Surgical Strategies for Bowel Endometriosis to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Personalized Surgical Strategies for Bowel Endometriosis to Enhance Patient Outcomes By Eylül GÜN

Bowel endometriosis often impacts the rectum or sigmoid colon, causing significant symptoms and reducing fertility. Treatments include hormonal therapy and surgery, with techniques varying widely. Crestani et al., in the leadership of Dr. Horace Roman, conducted a study aiming to…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new pathogenetic hypothesis of endometriosis

A new pathogenetic hypothesis of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Recent research has focused on perimenopausal women who experienced hematoperitoneum and lower abdominal pain, subsequently developing deep infiltrating endometriosis within a few months of the initial episode. Ultrasonographic evaluations revealed that a bleeding functional ovarian cyst was the primary cause…

Key Points Lay Summary

Conventional Laparoscopy as Good as Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy

Conventional Laparoscopy as Good as Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy By Özge Özkaya

Both conventional laparoscopy and robotic-assisted laparoscopy are associated with significant long-term symptom relief in patients with endometriosis involving the sacral plexus and sciatic nerve, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. “Although surgeons…

Key Points Lay Summary

Why we should prefer nerve-sparing surgery in deep endometriosis?

Why we should prefer nerve-sparing surgery in deep endometriosis? By Selma Oransay

Despite its benign nature, deep endometriosis can mimic malignant processes and infiltrate multiple organs, blood vessels, ligaments, and nerves within the pelvis. When conservative medical management fails, the need for surgical excision of endometriotic lesions arises. The surgeons aim to…

Key Points Lay Summary

The most influential adverse effects of endometriosis

The most influential adverse effects of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians from the Queen’s University, Ontario Canada led by Dr. Velez published their population-based cohort study related to pregnancy complications in a recent issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. This population-based cohort study analyzed the association between endometriosis and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Prevalence High Among Women With Unexplained Infertility

Endometriosis Prevalence High Among Women With Unexplained Infertility By Özge Özkaya

The prevalence of endometriosis and tubal abnormalities is still high among patients with unexplained infertility, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online.  “The high prevalence of endometriosis in this population is important for decision-making…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic procedures can alleviate fatigue in women suffering from endometriosis

 Laparoscopic procedures can alleviate fatigue in women suffering from endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Effective management is essential due to the significant impact these symptoms have on a woman's quality of life. Fatigue, characterized by persistent and severe tiredness, is also…

Key Points Lay Summary

Robot-assisted laparoscopy for deep infiltrating endometriosis of bowel

 Robot-assisted laparoscopy for deep infiltrating endometriosis of bowel By Selma Oransay

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is characterized by lesions larger than 5 mm that penetrate the peritoneum or invade the muscular layer of adjacent organs, affecting over 20% of women with endometriosis.  Bowel involvement occurs in 5-12% of cases and may present with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian Endometrioma Does Not Affect Egg Quality, Study Suggests

Ovarian Endometrioma Does Not Affect Egg Quality, Study Suggests By Özge Özkaya

Ovarian endometrioma could decrease oocyte yield in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a new literature review and meta-analysis published in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. However, it does not seem to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Superiority of hysterectomy over lesion excision in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis

Superiority of hysterectomy over lesion excision in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Confirmative treatment of endometriosis includes excision or ablation of visible lesions while conserving the uterus and ovaries. On the contrary, the radical approach involves total hysterectomy and even bilateral oophorectomy to create a hypo-estrogen state, remove adenomyosis if it exists,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of Endometriosis Subtypes on Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk

Impact of Endometriosis Subtypes on Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk By Özge Özkaya

The risk of ovarian cancer is markedly increased in patients with ovarian endometriomas and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.  These patients should be offered counseling about the risk of ovarian cancer and…

Key Points Lay Summary

A literature review about postmenopausal endometriosis.

A literature review about postmenopausal endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Typically, endometriosis disease brings relief to women after menopause, but some individuals continue to develop some endometriosis-related issues even after the cessation of menstruation. This enigmatic condition, called postmenopausal endometriosis,  needs to be understood, and the disease must be diagnosed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Rare but clinically important diagnosis; Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome

Rare but clinically important diagnosis; Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

The staff of the Department of Ultrasonography, Third Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Hunan, China have published their case series of the rare Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) in a recent issue of Reproductive Sciences. HWWS, is a rare genital tract anomaly…

Key Points Lay Summary

An often overlooked symptom: Sleep disorders in patients with endometriosis

An often overlooked symptom: Sleep disorders in patients with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Recent reports suggested that women with endometriosis have more frequent complaints of poor sleep, reduced quality of life, and higher pain scores when compared with healthy women. Patients experience fatigue and increased pain the day after insomnia. For this reason,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Retrograde Menstruation Theory Through Müllerian Anomalies

Retrograde Menstruation Theory Through Müllerian Anomalies By Selma Oransay

The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still under debate. Sampson also described this condition as "developmentally misplaced endometrial tissue" in 1925.  To evaluate the theories of pathogenesis, Vercellini et al. from the Academic Center for Research on Adenomyosis and Endometriosis at…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Sheds Light on Effect of Endometriosis and Infertility on Couples

Study Sheds Light on Effect of Endometriosis and Infertility on Couples By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis and infertility are significantly associated with partnership and sexuality satisfaction, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. However, the large overlap between endometriosis and infertility underscores the fact that more research…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diminished physical activity in women with endometriosis due to chronic pelvic pain

Diminished physical activity in women with endometriosis due to chronic pelvic pain By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a systemic, chronic, inflammatory disease defined as the localization of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. Pelvic pain is the most common symptom in these women resulting in abstinence from school or work and psychosocial problems. Physical activity…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diagnosis and management of treatment in diaphragmatic endometriosis.

Diagnosis and management of treatment in diaphragmatic endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare extra-pelvic type of deep endometriosis with a prevalence of 0,19% to 4,75. In symptomatic women, the symptoms are characterized by non-specific chest pain, shoulder pain, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and pneumothorax, whereas 75% of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postmenopausal endometriosis is often neglected

Postmenopausal endometriosis is often neglected By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Romanian academicians led by Dr. Mihai-Daniel Dinu have published their review of the published scientific data related to postmenopausal endometriosis in a recent special issue of the medical periodical Life. Even though endometriosis is accepted as a hormone-dependent disorder of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Improving fertility in peritoneal endometriosis

Improving fertility in peritoneal endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is the most common gynecologic disease that affects 10-15% of women in their reproductive age. The causal relationship between endometriosis and infertility is not clear yet, but adhesions and anatomical distortions due to the progression of the disease are…

Key Points Lay Summary

Chronic pelvic pain mechanisms in endometriosis

Chronic pelvic pain mechanisms in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

M. J. Quinn from Shanghai, China wrote an editorial piece in the latest issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology commenting on an article by Gete et al. in which they shared the findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis-associated symptoms have a negative impact on the quality of life in women

Endometriosis-associated symptoms have a negative impact on the quality of life in women By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis experience restrictions in their daily activities due to pelvic pain, resulting in abstinence from work or school and discontinuation of their social activities. Evaluation and management of endometriosis-associated symptoms is important to prevent these significant consequences. However, successful…

Key Points Lay Summary

The need for fertility preservation in women with endometriosis

The need for fertility preservation in women with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

A variety of pathologies such as adhesions, inflammation, modified pelvic anatomy, and altered ovarian reserve are among the causes of infertility in women with endometriosis. Additionally, these patients experience suboptimal outcomes characterized by reduced pregnancy rates when they undergo assisted…

Key Points Lay Summary

microRNA signatures as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for peritoneal endometriosis

microRNA signatures as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for peritoneal endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Using microRNA (miRNA) signatures obtained from bodily fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis has recently emerged as a useful method. Endometriosis remains an underdiagnosed disease, especially with subtypes such as peritoneal endometriosis which presents with non-specific symptoms. Researchers…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recommendations of experts on transvaginal ultrasonography

Recommendations of experts on transvaginal ultrasonography By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Following June 2022, the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound composed of a panel of 16 experts in imaging and management of endometriosis, the recommendations have been published in a recent issue of Radiology. Transvaginal sonography is accepted as a first-line…

Key Points Lay Summary

Any link between endometriosis and neonatal uterine bleeding?

Any link between endometriosis and neonatal uterine bleeding? By Selma Oransay

A Medline search using the keywords " neonatal uterine bleeding," " pathophysiology," and "premenarche" was made by Dr. Habiba et al. from the Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. A total of 2264 articles were collected, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and mental health disorders: How associated are they?

Endometriosis and mental health disorders: How associated are they? By Eylül GÜN

As with any chronic condition, endometriosis does not only present with physiological problems. The association between endometriosis and mental health issues has been widely studied and it is now known that these patients undergo depression, anxiety, and even bipolar disorder…

Key Points Lay Summary

Dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls and the quality of life

Dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls and the quality of life By Hale Goksever Celik

Dysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods, or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. Despite its high incidence, dysmenorrhea is often a stigmatized and normalized condition. However, it is known that painful periods cause abstinence from work or school…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrial cancer risk in endometriosis: What does the real-world data reveal?

Endometrial cancer risk in endometriosis: What does the real-world data reveal? By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is considered a benign disease, however, studies showed certain somatic mutations in the endometriotic glands indicating a potential link to endometrial cancer. Later, eutopic endometrial tissue was demonstrated to have the same somatic mutations. This resulted in controversial findings…

Key Points Lay Summary

A concerning link between endometriosis and cardiovascular disease.

A concerning link between endometriosis and cardiovascular disease. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by endometrial-like tissues outside the uterus, which causes inflammation, scarring, and adhesion formation. The pathologic process of forming those adhesions releases proinflammatory molecules, cytokines, and growth factors that may have systemic effects. Recent research, for…

Key Points Lay Summary

A comprehensive review of subdermal progestin in adenomyosis management

A comprehensive review of subdermal progestin in adenomyosis management By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

French academicians from Lyon and Marseilles led by Dr. Chene have published recently an electronic database search on the effectiveness of progestin subdermal implants in adenomyosis patients. This review appeared in the March 2024 issue of “The European Journal of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there a Way of Knowing if I Have Endometriosis Without Surgery?

Is there a Way of Knowing if I Have Endometriosis Without Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

The levels of certain cell signaling molecules called interleukins (ILs) are higher while that of others is lower in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.  “There is mounting evidence that…

Key Points Lay Summary

The depth of the iceberg: Parametrial involvement in deep endometriosis

The depth of the iceberg: Parametrial involvement in deep endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians led by members of the International School of Surgical Anatomy from Italy have published their paper on parametrial involvement of deep endometriosis in the medical periodical named “Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology”.  Deep endometriosis is troublesome when…

Key Points Lay Summary

Uterine innervation and its impact on endometriosis related pelvic pain.

 Uterine innervation and its impact on endometriosis related pelvic pain. By Selma Oransay

Advancements in immunochemistry, fluorochromes, computer-associated anatomical dissection, and 3D reconstruction of uterine micro-innervation brought substantial progress in pelvic neuroanatomy. The complex uterine innervation and its interactions with uterine parts and layers are yet fully revealed. Austruc et al.,  from the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Mindfulness Apps Could Help Adolescents Manage Period Pain

Mindfulness Apps Could Help Adolescents Manage Period Pain By Özge Özkaya

Adolescents with period pain are interested in using a mindfulness app for their pain, according to a new study published in the journal, JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting. However, they have unique needs that must be addressed so that the app is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Key Aspects of Ureterolysis in deep endometriosis surgery

Key Aspects of Ureterolysis in deep endometriosis surgery By Selma Oransay

Deep endometriosis surgery needs talented surgeons to preserve and protect vital structures during the excision of endometriotic lesions. The technique for ureterolysis is essential to mitigate the risk of ureteral injuries and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Chatroux and Dr. Einarsson…

Key Points Lay Summary

The location of adenomyosis, and recurrent abortion

The location of adenomyosis, and recurrent abortion By Selma Oransay

ESHRE defines repeated pregnancy loss (RPL) as the loss of pregnancies with two or more weeks of gestation. Adenomyosis is the presence of ectopic endometrium, in the myometrium. High-resolution transvaginal ultrasound and sonographic criteria can help to diagnose the disease…

Key Points Lay Summary

Do I Need Assisted Reproduction to Become Pregnant After Endometriosis Surgery?

Do I Need Assisted Reproduction to Become Pregnant After Endometriosis Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from Argentina developed a decision tree that can help identify patients who might need assisted reproduction techniques to become pregnant following endometriosis surgery.  This way, the time between surgery and pregnancy could be minimized and the overall outcome may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Sophisticated study yields hopes for a new potential remedy

Sophisticated study yields hopes for a new potential remedy By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Japan, conducted a clinical and experimental study on the role of SMAD (Suppressor of Mothers Against Decapentaplegic) molecules in endometriosis, and have published their results in a recent issue…

Key Points Lay Summary

Painful Sex Might Be a Valid Indication for Endometriosis Surgery

Painful Sex Might Be a Valid Indication for Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

According to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, the type of endometriosis surgery, and pain improvement after surgery may be linked.  More precisely, rectovaginal endometriosis surgery may be associated with reduced dyspareunia or painful intercourse. “Clinicians…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stem cells may open new horizons in various gynecological disorders

Stem cells may open new horizons in various gynecological disorders By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

In-Sun Hong, PhD, a researcher in regenerative medicine at Korean Gachon University has published a comprehensive review on the role of stem cells in gynecological disorders in a recent issue of the International Journal of Biological Sciences. Endometrium changes the menstrual…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative pain-related quality of life for patiens with different types of endometriosis surgery.

Postoperative pain-related quality of life for patiens with different types of endometriosis surgery. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis surgery usually improves chronic pelvic pain and the quality of life in women suffering from that disease. Response to surgery depends on several factors, however, in younger ages, recurrence of both pain and endometriosis lesions are reported. Most research…

Key Points Lay Summary

Current practice in robotic surgery for deep-infiltrating endometriosis

Current practice in robotic surgery for deep-infiltrating endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Today, surgical excision of endometriotic lesions is the only cytoreductive procedure for managing endometriosis. Hormonal treatment may partly relieve the symptoms, but it suppresses rather than cytoreduction of the disease. Minimally invasive surgery is usually the most preferred method due…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hot research in endometriosis; new vessel formation: angiogenesis

Hot research in endometriosis; new vessel formation: angiogenesis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Caixia Bo and Yunfei Wang from Jining Medical University, China have recently published their comprehensive review on angiogenesis-related aspects of endometriotic tissues in a recent issue of journal named Molecular Medicine Reports. The main potential pathogenetic aspects of endometriosis include retrograde…

Key Points Lay Summary

Long-term Dienogest Treatment and the Chance of Conceiving With IVF

Long-term Dienogest Treatment and the Chance of Conceiving With IVF By Özge Özkaya

It is not clear whether long-term treatment with dienogest before in vitro fertilization (IVF) affects pregnancy and live birth rates in women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.  “Given limited…

Key Points Lay Summary

Early use of hormonal contraceptives and the probability of endometriosis diagnosis later in life

 Early use of hormonal contraceptives and the probability of endometriosis diagnosis later in life By Selma Oransay

Hormonal contraceptives are the first-line medical treatment of endometriosis. If an adolescent has chronic pelvic pain and is an "unresponder" to hormonal therapy, the likelihood of having an "endometriosis diagnosis" is higher. This sign should warn clinicians about endometriosis diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Inguinal endometriosis is a commonly neglected differential diagnosis

Inguinal endometriosis is a commonly neglected differential diagnosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A case series of inguinal endometriosis with eight patients from Tehran, Iran has appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Medical Case Reports. It is a fact that many inguinal endometriosis cases are undiagnosed since they undergo herniorrhaphy…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quercetin and its effects on endometriosis

Quercetin and its effects on endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis, as a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, could be a potential target for quercetin, a flavonoid found in various foods and botanicals, and a known senolytic agent with many effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties. Studies…

Key Points Lay Summary

Psychological effect of endometriosis due to chronic pelvic pain

Psychological effect of endometriosis due to chronic pelvic pain By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, all of which affect the quality of women’s lives. Early diagnosis and management are important as endometriosis impairs the quality of life of patients and creates a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are women with endometriosis more prone to have mental health disorders?

Are women with endometriosis more prone to have mental health disorders? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a long-term morbidity resulting in impaired physical, sexual, psychological, and social health. The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are chronic pelvic pain and fertility problems, associated with impaired quality of life. These women are also affected…

Key Points Lay Summary

Clinical awareness for endometriosis in infertility should be surged

Clinical awareness for endometriosis in infertility should be surged By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A team of researchers from multiple centers including Stanford University and Swiss Federal Laboratories, led by Dr.Camran Nezhat have published their cross-sectional retrospective study on endometriosis and unexplained infertility association. This research paper appeared in a recent issue of the Journal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility outcomes after discoid excision for colorectal endometriosis.

Fertility outcomes after discoid excision for colorectal endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Colorectal endometriosis is one of the most severe forms of deep endometriosis, composing 85% of all bowel lesions. Radical treatment is segmental resection of the bowels, which can cause postoperative severe complications such as rectovaginal fistula and voiding dysfunctions that negatively…

Key Points Lay Summary

What Happens to all Those Frozen Eggs?

What Happens to all Those Frozen Eggs? By Özge Özkaya

The rate of return to use previously vitrified oocytes is notably low even though there is an increase in the number of patients pursuing oocyte cryopreservation, found a new study published in JAMA Network Open.  According to the authors of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Management of uterine adenomyomas with percutaneous cryoablation.

Management of uterine adenomyomas with percutaneous cryoablation. By Selma Oransay

Adenomyosis can negatively affect the quality of life by causing abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia. It is often associated with endometriomas and/or leiomyomas. Treatment of the disease differs as conservative or radical, as well as pharmacological or surgical. For…

Key Points Lay Summary

Current status of non-invasive biomarkers for endometriosis

Current status of non-invasive biomarkers for endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Laparoscopy has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis, however, the understanding of how many people have the condition is limited because not everyone undergoes surgery. The different treatment modalities for patients with unexplained infertility and the invasiveness…

Key Points Lay Summary

Spontaneous Conception After Deep Endometriosis Surgery

Spontaneous Conception After Deep Endometriosis Surgery By Selma Oransay

Deep endometriosis is a severe form of endometriosis where lesions invade deeper than 5 mm into subperitoneal space. Surgical management of the disease is a challenging task requiring a multi-disciplinary approach and significant expertise in the field. Anastomotic leaks, fistula,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring the role of thyroid function in endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome

Exploring the role of thyroid function in endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders are prevalent among women of reproductive age, yet their exact impacts on reproductive health and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Given the close association of these conditions through the endocrine system, Kirkegaard et…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is post-cesarean pain perception and analgesic use in endometriosis-affected women different?

Is post-cesarean pain perception and analgesic use in endometriosis-affected women different? By Hale Goksever Celik

It has been known that endometriosis patients have increased pain sensitivity and different reactions to pain compared to women having no endometriosis. Several mechanisms such as nociception, inflammation, and changes in peripheral and central nervous system pain processing have been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Neonatal uterine bleeding at birth and endometriosis later in life

Neonatal uterine bleeding at birth and endometriosis later in life By Selma Oransay

In the first few days after birth, some female newborns bleed from the vaginal route, and this is called newborn uterine bleeding. The overt and occult neonatal uterine bleeding prevalence rates are 3-5% and 25-60% retrospectively. The causative risk factors for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) be a potential marker of endometriosis ?

Could brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) be a potential marker of endometriosis ? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Medical student Kyana Jafarabady and academicians from several medical centers in Iran have published their database research on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in endometriosis patients in a recent issue of BMC Women’s Health. BDNF is a neurotrophin that plays an important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Should I Have Endometriosis Surgery Before IVF-ICSI?

Should I Have Endometriosis Surgery Before IVF-ICSI? By Özge Özkaya

The live birth rate per in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine sperm injection (ICSI) cycle was significantly reduced in women who underwent surgery to treat endometriosis before the procedures, found a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences.  “These…

Key Points Lay Summary

New visions on diaphragmatic endometriosis

New visions on diaphragmatic endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Elvin Piriyev and Thomas Römer from Academic Hospital Cologne Weyertal, Germany have published their retrospective analysis of diaphragm endometriosis in a recent issue of the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. About 7-10% of reproductive-age women have endometriosis but diaphragm…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bladder Function Alterations Following Endometriosis Surgery

 Bladder Function Alterations Following Endometriosis Surgery By Selma Oransay

Although endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder, urinary tract involvement is present in only 1-5% of these patients. When endometriosis invades the urinary tract, clinical symptoms may vary from asymptomatic to frequency, urgency, bladder pain, hematuria, and recurrent urinary infections.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Complementary and alternative therapies for managing acyclic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis

Complementary and alternative therapies for managing acyclic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The quality of life in women with endometriosis is affected depending on the symptoms and signs of endometriosis such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Because of different clinical spectrum and diagnostic delays, there is no optimum management…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pregnancy outcomes of women with endometriosis/adenomyosis.

Pregnancy outcomes of women with endometriosis/adenomyosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are diseases presented by ectopic growth of endometrial-gland-like tissues, which we can find in ovaries, pelvic organs, and myometrium. These diseases are causes of hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Although the number of reports about…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery Pivotal in Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis Patients

Surgery Pivotal in Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis Patients By Özge Özkaya

Surgery plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of women with endometriosis who have previously not responded to medical therapy. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. During the…

Key Points Lay Summary

A unique approach for visualising endometriosis during surgery

A unique approach for visualising endometriosis during surgery By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Jing Peng and associates from Shangai, China have made an experimental study on precise visualization of endometriotic lesions with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog-modified indocyanine green, publishing their results in the Journal of Molecular Imaging.  Surgical interventions are important aspects of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Risk of endometriosis and related occupational factors among working women

Risk of endometriosis and related occupational factors among working women By Eylül GÜN

As a debilitating disease, endometriosis is well known to have effects on the patient's overall quality of life. Various studies have consistently reported that working women face an increased risk of endometriosis growth. Lee et al. from Korea conducted a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian adhesion prevention with polytetrafluoroethylene during endometrioma surgery.

Ovarian adhesion prevention with polytetrafluoroethylene during endometrioma surgery. By Selma Oransay

The World Health Organization defined infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse or after six months of fertility-focused intercourse. Depending on the chronic inflammatory character and causing adhesion formations within the peritoneum, endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Peritoneal fluid in young women with endometriosis

Peritoneal fluid in young women with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Many blood substances are present in peritoneal fluid due to their derivation from the transudation of blood through the peritoneal surface. Ectopic endometriotic lesions can also change the medium to contribute to the definition of the local environment of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the risk to have mental disorders

Endometriosis and the risk to have mental disorders By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are pelvic pain and fertility problems, resulting in impairment of quality of life. These women are also affected regarding psychological health due to disease-associated symptoms. Dr. Wang et al., from Taiwan, published…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is Your Surgeon Stressed?

Is Your Surgeon Stressed? By Özge Özkaya

Stress during endometriosis surgery among surgeons is greater than what they anticipate, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. The stress symptoms reported by surgeons start before surgery and is more common among…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the risk of breast cancer

Endometriosis and the risk of breast cancer By Selma Oransay

An increased risk of cancer with endometriosis has been in the attention field of endometriosis researchers since 1925, starting with Sampson. Several large meta-analyses supported the increased risk of clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis. Breast…

Key Points Lay Summary

A herbal product has promising results in experimental endometriosis

A herbal product has promising results in experimental endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Neroli oil (bitter orange) is a nontoxic volatile substance from the flowers of Citrus aurantium that belongs to the Rutaceae family. This oil has notable anti-inflammatory effects besides potent antioxidant activity with 100% singlet oxygen scavenging activity. Contemporary pathophysiological views…

Key Points Lay Summary

Analysis of steroid hormone receptors in endometriotic tissues reveals chaotic results

Analysis of steroid hormone receptors in endometriotic tissues reveals chaotic results By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

  A group of researchers from academic institutions located at Australia and New Zeland, led by Dr. Holdsworth-Carson, have published their recent findings on steroid receptors in peritoneal endometriosis lesions by immunohistochemistry, in the journal Reproduvtive Biomedicine Online.  Endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of medical treatment on sexual function and quality of life in women with endometriosis

The effect of medical treatment on sexual function and quality of life in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain, all of which has significant negative consequences on their physical and psychological health regarding sexual function, work and social relationships. Biasioli et al. from Italy, published an article entitled…

Key Points Lay Summary

"Ovarian Reserve Markers" in Peritoneal Endometriosis

By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis-related subfertility is attributed to multiple factors, including mechanical obstructions, adhesions, pelvic inflammation, and diminished ovarian reserve. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and ovarian antral follicle counts (AFC) currently serve as fertility markers to diagnose decreased ovarian reserve and failure.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Robotic Surgery For Endometriosis

Robotic Surgery For Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Robotic surgery is an option for the treatment of severe endometriosis, according to the results of a preliminary comparative study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, the approach is associated with higher costs.  “Next studies should identify…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quantification of nerve bundle density as a biomarker for endometriosis utilizing PGP9.5 immunostaining

Quantification of nerve bundle density as a biomarker for endometriosis utilizing PGP9.5 immunostaining By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Scientists from Netherlands and Canada have published their authentic study on immunohistochemically assessed nerve fiber bundles of endometriotic tissues in a recent issue of  Frontiers in Reproductive Health. Endometriotic tissues have nerve fibers which are stimulated in inflammatory processes leading…

Key Points Lay Summary

Embryo Morphokinetics of Endometriotic Patients by Time Lapse Monitoring

Embryo Morphokinetics of Endometriotic Patients by Time Lapse Monitoring By Selma Oransay

Many studies showed adverse effects of endometriosis on oocyte quality due to increased apoptosis and dysregulation of molecular pathways related to the development and growth of granulosa cells resulting on developmental arrest in embryos of women with endometriosis. Time-lapse monitoring…

Key Points Lay Summary

Novel high-risk candidate genes for familial endometriosis

Novel high-risk candidate genes for familial endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a genetic background resulting in familial clustering. Although multiple susceptibility loci have been identified in genome-wide association studies, high-risk predisposing variants have not been defined yet. A group of scientists from Finland, published a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Perception of quality of professional healthcare in Italian patients with endometriosis

 Perception of quality of professional healthcare in Italian patients with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

According to the Italian Ministry of Health, the prevalence rate of endometriosis among women in their reproductive age is 10-15%. Many of them suffer from intense pain and a poor quality of life due to diagnostic delay. The average delay…

Key Points Lay Summary

Increasing awareness of the scientific community on nano-particles for endometriosis.

Increasing awareness of the scientific community on nano-particles for endometriosis. By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians from various disciplines from multiple Italian institutions have published their review on the possible role of nanotechology to deal with the management of endometriosis in a recent issue of scientific periodical Nanoscale. Nanotechnology is the science and engineering where…

Key Points Lay Summary

Neurotrophins proposed as possible biomarkers for endometriosis

Neurotrophins proposed as possible biomarkers for endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

As the search for a good-quality biomarker in endometriosis continues, certain growth factors have been investigated for their roles in the pathophysiology of the disease. Neurotrophins, as regulators of neuronal development and survival, are also known to take part in…

Key Points Lay Summary

A non-invasive test to determine the risk of endometriosis in women having chronic pelvic pain or unexplained infertility

A non-invasive test to determine the risk of endometriosis in women having chronic pelvic pain or unexplained infertility By Hale Goksever Celik

Women having endometriosis may suffer from chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility, both of which diminish the quality of life in these women. Minimalization of the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis is essential to improve patients’ lives. However,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quality of life analyses among women with endometriosis

 Quality of life analyses among women with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Clinical factors that may affect the quality of life in women with endometriosis are mental health, sexual life, working capacity, and social relations. Symptom severity, especially dysmenorrhea, heavy periods, pelvic pain, and infertility complaints, are the most disturbing factors in…

Key Points Lay Summary

The type of surgical approach compared to complications and recurrence for colorectal endometriosis

The type of surgical approach compared to complications and recurrence for colorectal endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis may have extension and infiltration of the intestine, called "colorectal endometriosis, in up to 12%. The main symptoms are alterations in bowel habits, pelvic pain, and/or infertility. The gold standard management option for colorectal endometriosis is surgical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep infiltrating endometriosis and postoperative pregnancy outcomes

Deep infiltrating endometriosis and postoperative pregnancy outcomes  By Selma Oransay

Although the current ESHRE guidelines state that there is no strong evidence to support surgical intervention to improve the spontaneous pregnancy rate in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and advise Assisted reproduction technology irrespective of the severity of endometriosis, several studies…

Key Points Lay Summary

Blood-based biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis and adenomyosis

Blood-based biomarkers for the detection of endometriosis and adenomyosis By Eylül GÜN

One of the biggest challenges in endometriosis management is the delay in diagnosis. Scientists have been trying to come up with biomarkers to detect it quicker. Thinking blood-based biomarkers could aid in earlier diagnosis and help with the duly administration…

Key Points Lay Summary

Asia-Pacific: Expert panel's suggestions for improving endometriosis-related health issues

Asia-Pacific: Expert panel's suggestions for improving endometriosis-related health issues By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

"Endometriosis should be diagnosed as early as possible for the sake of the patients" and the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel sought to address the reasons for diagnostic delays in this part of the world and published a consensus report in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Mediterranean Diet Associated With Less Endometriosis Pain?

Mediterranean Diet Associated With Less Endometriosis Pain? By Özge Özkaya

There seems to be a link between pain relief in endometriosis and a Mediterranean diet, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Science. This finding suggests that a Mediterranean diet could help manage chronic pain in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Sacral neuromodulation for endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain

Sacral neuromodulation for endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain By Selma Oransay

Sacral neuromodulation is a therapeutic technique that involves electrical stimulation of a sacral nerve route to modulate a neural pathway. The device is an implantable neurostimulator, and the procedure is a minimally invasive procedure with good long-term outcomes. This technique…

Key Points Lay Summary

No increased risk of major postoperative complications in women operated by experienced surgeons in endometriosis centers

No increased risk of major postoperative complications in women operated by experienced surgeons in endometriosis centers By Hale Goksever Celik

Recurrent surgery may be needed in up to 35% of endometriosis patients. The reason for repeated surgery may be residual or recurrent disease. In other words, multiple surgical procedures are a common phenomenon for women having endometriosis. Knowing the impact…

Key Points Lay Summary

The overlap of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome

The overlap of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome By Eylül GÜN

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of female subfertility similar to endometriosis. It has been hypothesized that owing to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, women with endometriosis are at a greater risk of having PCOS than…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hazardous substances in pollution and relationship with endometriosis.

Hazardous substances in pollution and relationship with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Vallée and colleguages. from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health of Foch Hospital, France, recently published a narrative review about environmental pollution and its association with endometriosis in BJOG. They used the existing English literature to discuss the association…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and breast cancer- love or hate?

Endometriosis and breast cancer- love or hate? By Bahar Yuksel

Many studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer, but no definitive conclusion has been reached yet. In the study co-authored by Yan and Li et al, endometriosis-related GWAS data was used to determine the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Robotic Surgery Not Linked With More Complications in Certain Cases

Robotic Surgery Not Linked With More Complications in Certain Cases By Özge Özkaya

Robotic-assisted excision surgery to treat large rectal endometriotic nodules larger than 3 cm is not associated with a higher risk of complications following the operation compared to conventional laparoscopy, according to a new study published in the journal Colorectal Diseases.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A suggestion for a novel in vitro diagnostic test for endometriosis

A suggestion for a novel in vitro diagnostic test for endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

As the research continues to find a gold standard non-invasive diagnostic method for endometriosis, there still is no definitive answer. One of the most commonly studied markers is Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125) – a biomarker that is secreted from the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Perioperative complications of outpatient surgery for endometriosis.

Perioperative complications of outpatient surgery for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Surgical treatment of endometriosis plays an essential role in managing the disease. They are miscellaneous perioperative complications such as incomplete removal of the lesions, low quality of the first surgery, or incorrect approach to laparoscopic surgeries that result in increased…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis as a "syndrome" made out of different clusters

Endometriosis as a By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis has been classified according to surgical findings. In the study conducted by Antonio Sarria-Santamera et al., the authors aimed to classify the patients with their comorbidities. The study explored the multidimensionality of endometriosis using cluster analysis. It categorizes women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vicious cycle: The promoting role of previous endometriosis foci for new lesions

Vicious cycle:  The promoting role of previous endometriosis foci for new lesions By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

An experimental animal study on the pathogenesis of endometriosis from the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Hamburg has been published in a recent issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Endometriosis is a well-known common gynecological ailment…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comparison of two different surgical approach to deep colorectal endometriosis in terms of postoperative outcomes.

Comparison of two different surgical approach to deep colorectal endometriosis in terms of postoperative outcomes. By Selma Oransay

Deep colorectal endometriosis affects one-fifth of women with endometriosis, which is commonly associated with more pelvic pain and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Three surgical approaches for deep colorectal endometriosis are segmental colorectal resection, full-thickness discoid resection, and shaving operation. Choosing the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The relationship between lipids and estrogen in endometriosis

The relationship between lipids and estrogen in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Lipid metabolism plays important roles in many physiological and pathological conditions such as the storage of energy, immune system functions, steroid hormone production, inflammation, and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. In an attempt to figure out the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Omitted facet of endometriosis : mental health related to stigma

Omitted facet of endometriosis : mental health related to stigma By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A team of clinical psychologists involved in women’s health led by Deniz Kocas has published a recent review on the mental health aspect of endometriosis patients in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. Endometriosis is a notoriously…

Key Points Lay Summary

Peritoneal Endometriosis and Acyclical pelvic pain

Peritoneal Endometriosis and Acyclical pelvic pain By Eylül GÜN

The most debilitating symptom of endometriosis is chronic pelvic pain. The peripheral nervous system is affected and the growth and regeneration of sensory nerve fibers in endometriotic tissue has been identified. The first line treatment which is hormonal therapy for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma surgery and the ovarian reserve

Endometrioma surgery and the ovarian reserve By Selma Oransay

Traditionally, cystectomy is the gold standard for surgical approach owing to the reduced risk of recurrence. Still, it may lead to a reduction in postoperative ovarian volume and can be a cause of ovarian failure. The recent conservative surgical management of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Endometriosis at a Higher Risk of Pregnancy Complications

Women With Endometriosis at a Higher Risk of Pregnancy Complications By Özge Özkaya

Apart from having difficulties conceiving, women with endometriosis also seem to have a significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This is according to a new population-based study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. It is already known that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Peritoneal endometriosis and Peritoneal Immunity

Peritoneal endometriosis and Peritoneal Immunity By Selma Oransay

The peritoneum is an important immune barrier where, under normal conditions, it is balanced. External stimuli cause pro-inflammatory responses. To bring balance to this undesired situation, anti-inflammatory factors come into play. However, in patients with endometriosis, cytotoxicity of T lymphocytes,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Physical Activity

Endometriosis and Physical Activity By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis causes abstinence from their daily life, especially during painful periods. Decreased physical function might result in reduced physical activity. Sachs et al., from Switzerland, published a study titled “Physical Activity in Women with Endometriosis: Less or More Compared with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Elevated iron levels in "endometriosis pathogenesis"

Elevated iron levels in By Selma Oransay

The presence of abnormal levels of iron and ferritin in endometriotic lesions is likely due to repeated bleeding episodes. When red blood cells break down, the iron content is released, which can cause inflammation leading to damage to surrounding tissues.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A pioneering study on clinicopathologic features of biopsies of endometriotic lesions

A pioneering study on clinicopathologic features of biopsies of endometriotic lesions By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Deep infiltrating endometriosis, where endometriotic lesions have an invasion depth of ≥5mm to the underlying tissues, is well known due to the troublesome features, peritoneal endometriosis is very common and widely distributed by superficial involvement in the pelvic visceral and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Molecular Mechanisms of how herbal medicine Actaea racemosa modulates Endometriosis Progression

The Molecular Mechanisms of how herbal medicine Actaea racemosa modulates Endometriosis Progression By Bahar Yuksel

Increased proliferation, dysregulated apoptosis, and a pro-inflammatory and oxidative environment are the hallmarks of endometriosis. In the article published in the Journal of Molecular Sciences, penned by Livia Interdonato et al, the molecular mechanisms of the extract from a plant…

Key Points Lay Summary

Treatment of superficial dyspareunia using topical estrogens in postmenopausal women with a history of endometriosis

Treatment of superficial dyspareunia using topical estrogens in postmenopausal women with a history of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs caused by hypoestrogenic changes to the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder that occur in menopausal patients. Sexual dysfunction and superficial dyspareunia can be experienced…

Key Points Lay Summary

Assessing endometrial receptivity using menstrual blood samples in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization

Assessing endometrial receptivity using menstrual blood samples in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization By Eylül GÜN

Endometrial receptivity is the endometrium's capacity to allow the embryo the chance to adhere, infiltrate, and develop while ensuring an ideal microenvironment. When impaired, it is one of the two major factors contributing to infertility along with embryo quality by…

Key Points Lay Summary

A review for genetics of endometriosis.

A review for genetics of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

There is an increased risk of developing endometriosis among first-degree relatives, which can raise suspicions of the role of genetic factors in endometriosis. Genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing have identified numerous genetic loci and variants relating to the disease.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A comparative analysis of male and female perspectives on sexuality in couples dealing with endometriosis

A comparative analysis of male and female perspectives on sexuality in couples dealing with endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Sexual relationships of patients with endometriosis have been an area of research lately, however, studies have focused mostly on female perceptions and opinions leaving out the males.  Helfenstein et al. from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria conducted a multicenter cohort study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study May Explain How Tubal Endometriosis Causes Infertility

Study May Explain How Tubal Endometriosis Causes Infertility By Özge Özkaya

Tubal endometriosis damages the epithelial ultrastructure of the fallopian tubes or the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus along which an egg travels each month ready to be fertilized by a sperm cell. This could help explain why tubal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is continuous hormonal treatment safe and healthy method for endometriotic patients?

Is continuous hormonal treatment safe and healthy method for endometriotic patients? By Selma Oransay

One of the studies related to the search for new markers in pathophysiologic causes of endometriosis is circulating microparticles and their subset "tissue factor". In response to damage, activation, or apoptosis, these microparticles are found in human plasma, urine, saliva,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Novel surgical solutions for catamenial pneumothorax

Novel surgical solutions for catamenial pneumothorax By Eylül GÜN

Catamenial pneumothorax is a spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs during or right after menstruation and is thought to be caused by thoracic endometriosis that includes the diaphragm, lung, and parietal pleura. The solution is surgical removal of endometrial lesions, however, a…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new classification called ENDOGRADE to rate surgical complexity in deep endometriosis.

A new classification called ENDOGRADE to rate surgical complexity in deep endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Correlation with patient outcomes could not be identified in most endometriosis classification systems including the commonly used revised ASRM. Therefore, in addition to grading the depth and invasion pattern of the lesions, there is a need for a classification system to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Endometriosis More Likely to Also Have Non-Specific Symptoms

Women With Endometriosis More Likely to Also Have Non-Specific Symptoms By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis are more likely to report menstrual symptoms, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. However, they are also at an increased risk of mental health disorders, other pain symptoms, bowel,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The compliance for post-surgical follow-ups after endometriosis surgery

The compliance for post-surgical follow-ups after endometriosis surgery By Selma Oransay

. The patient's adherence to follow-ups after surgery is essential as it is the only way to evaluate the surgery's benefits in improving pain symptoms and recurrences, measuring the quality of life, and fertility outcomes. . Dr. Szabo and his…

Key Points Lay Summary

Moderate-to-severe Endometriosis and "The Cumulative live birth rate" in IVF Cycles

Moderate-to-severe Endometriosis and By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is one of the major symptoms in women with endometriosis. The incidence of endometriosis is approximately 10% in reproductive-aged women and up to 40-50% in infertile women. There are multifactorial mechanisms resulting in endometriosis-associated infertility such as anatomic distortion, impaired…

Key Points Lay Summary

"Transumblical single-port laparoscopy" for deep infiltrating endometriosis.

By Selma Oransay

Deep infiltrating endometriosis patients have multi-system involvements, severe pelvic adhesions, and pelvic pain. Dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, infertility, gastrointestinal symptoms, and lower urinary tract symptoms seriously affect their quality of life. Although hormonal therapy may be the first choice for treating endometriosis,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The public plea of international group of "endometriosis experts"

The public plea of international group of By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A group of international “endometriosis experts” led by Professor Philippe R. Koninckx from Belgium, have published their unique scientific paper “The 10 “Cardinal Sins” in the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis: A Bayesian Approach” in a recent issue of…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Starch-Based Gel Barrier Reduces Pain and Improves Fertility After Endometriosis Surgery

A Starch-Based Gel Barrier Reduces Pain and Improves Fertility After Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

The development of pain was reduced in women with endometriosis who underwent surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) resection and the "gel barrier 4DryField® PH" was used during the operation, according to results from a randomized controlled trial. Moreover, fertility was improved. "4DryField® PH"…

Key Points Lay Summary

Harnessing the Power of the Immune System: The Potential of Immunotherapy for Treating Endometriosis

Harnessing the Power of the Immune System: The Potential of Immunotherapy for Treating Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The review article by Wenshu Li et al. discusses the potential of immunotherapy as a novel treatment for endometriosis and the potential to overcome possible side effects and recurrence rates related to conventional therapies. The article explains how immunotherapy, which…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection for bowel endometriosis.

Postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection for bowel endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Rectosigmoid endometriosis comprises 80-85% of all bowel endometriosis cases and can be localized in the rectovaginal septum, uterosacral ligaments, retro-cervical region, and parametrium. Symptoms of rectosigmoid endometriosis include abdominal bloating, constipation-diarrhea, lower-back pain, dyschezia, and sometimes cyclic rectal bleeding. Minimally…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pain Scoring System for Deep Endometriosis

 Pain Scoring System for Deep Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

The numeric pain scale is commonly used to interpret pain score values. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, pain scores of 4-7 points indicate moderate, and  8-10 points indicate severe pain. Patients with a local pain score of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian cancers arising in endometriosis: still an unresolved issue

Ovarian cancers arising in endometriosis: still an unresolved issue By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Alice Bergamini and associates from San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy have published their results on clinicopathologic features of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers in a recent issue of the journal “Diagnostics”. The association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer was first noticed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Outcomes of improving chronic pelvic pain with "immersive digital therapeutics" at home.

Outcomes of improving chronic pelvic pain with By Selma Oransay

Studies have shown that virtual reality can effectively treat acute pain experienced by burn victims, during labor, dental surgery, or for chronic musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and cancer pain. Considering the effectiveness of treating chronic pelvic pain at home, Merlot et al.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Genetic Polymorphisms in Proinflammatory Cytokines

Endometriosis and Genetic Polymorphisms in Proinflammatory Cytokines By Hale Goksever Celik

Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed for the chronic inflammatory nature of endometriosis, such as retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, hormonal change, oxidative stress and inflammation, immune dysfunction, and apoptosis suppression. One of the most widely accepted theories in recent years…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new potential biomarker proposal from leukorrhea of endometriosis patients

A new potential biomarker proposal from leukorrhea of endometriosis patients By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is typically diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery, which can be invasive and discourages some patients from participating. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive diagnostic method. Exosomes, small vesicles containing biological information, can be found in almost every type…

Key Points Lay Summary

Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain after niche repair

Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain after niche repair By Selma Oransay

Rapidly increasing cesarian section rates in recent years increased the cesarian scar defects and the development of "isthmoceles". Isthmocele is a myometrial lesion located around the isthmic portion of the uterus that is a myometrial discontinuity or hypoechoic triangle in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Conditioned medium from adipose tissue derived stem cells for endometriosis treatment

Conditioned medium from adipose tissue derived stem cells for endometriosis treatment By Eylül GÜN

Despite the effectiveness of both surgical and medical treatments in addressing complications related to endometriosis, there is still a high recurrence rate indicating the need for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to enhance the effectiveness of endometriosis treatment. Adipose-derived…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preoperative MRI Scoring System Could Ensure Women Are Fully Informed

Preoperative MRI Scoring System Could Ensure Women Are Fully Informed By Özge Özkaya

The Deep Pelvic Endometriosis Index is able to predict the length of surgery and hospital stay as well as complications following surgery including voiding dysfunction, according to a new multicenter cohort study, the results of which were published in The Journal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Changes over time in day surgery for endometriosis in Canada

Changes over time in day surgery for endometriosis in Canada By Hale Goksever Celik

There are several medical and surgical treatment options for the management of endometriosis. Surgical approach is generally preferred in women with atypical endometrioma appearance on ultrasound, and who have persistent pain despite medical treatment. Surgery is often the first choice…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menopause-management strategies for women with endometriosis.

Menopause-management strategies for women with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Menopausal hormonal therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and joint pain. Approximately 75% of all women experienced some degree of these symptoms, while 2-4% were diagnosed with endometriosis. Menopausal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Questionnaire Can Assess Patient-Centerdness of Endometriosis Care

Questionnaire Can Assess Patient-Centerdness of Endometriosis Care By Özge Özkaya

European patients with endometriosis think that “reaching a diagnosis quickly” and “physicians demarcating the endometriosis complexity level which they can treat” are important aspects of their care, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Best Practice & Research…

Key Points Lay Summary

Spheroids: 3D-mini-models for Understanding Endometriosis

Spheroids: 3D-mini-models for Understanding Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The pathogenesis of endometriosis is not fully understood, and there is a need for better models to study the disease. Spheroids are 3D clusters of cells that mimic the structure and function of endometrial tissue. These mini models have several…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Model Can Help Understand How Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer Develops

New Model Can Help Understand How Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer Develops By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from Japan and the US developed a new mouse model in collaboration, that can be useful to better understand how endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer develops. This new model can help to assess new treatment options for both diseases. The team…

Key Points Lay Summary

Limitations of current surgical classification systems for endometriosis.

Limitations of current surgical classification systems for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Many classification systems for endometriosis have been developed since the 1970s, and in a 2021 review, more than 20 of those systems were identified. The best-known and most frequently used are rASRM (revised  American Society of Reproductive Medicine), the Enzian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pelvic pain in transgender individuals on testosterone therapy

Pelvic pain in transgender individuals on testosterone therapy By Eylül GÜN

Pelvic pain is a common issue among individuals assigned female at birth who are transgender or gender diverse (referred to as trans individuals) and are undergoing testosterone therapy as part of their gender-affirming hormone treatment. However, this topic remains poorly…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Progesterone Resistance

Endometriosis and Progesterone Resistance By Selma Oransay

Progesterone resistance is the unresponsiveness of endometrium with subsequent dysregulation of the progesterone signaling pathway, and endometrial gene works. Progestins, on the other hand, are the first-line treatment choice, especially for long-term treatment of endometriosis. In the clinics, one-third of…

Key Points Lay Summary

When to start ART after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis?

When to start ART after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis? By Selma Oransay

Laparoscopy combined with histopathologic confirmation of endometriosis is the reference standard for diagnosing endometriosis. Additionally, laparoscopic surgery is considered the most effective way to approach infertility induced by endometriosis. The surgical factors influencing the outcome of treating the infertility of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Nutritional recommendations for endometriosis patients

Nutritional recommendations for endometriosis patients By Eylül GÜN

Diet and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the development and progression of endometriosis, in addition to genetic determinants. Piecuch et al. from Poland conducted a review study discussing the importance of different nutrients and nutritional recommendations in endometriosis. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Improving the quality of life: The role of cognitive behavioral therapy after endometriosis surgery

Improving the quality of life: The role of cognitive behavioral therapy after endometriosis surgery By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis and its symptoms have been associated with poor mental health and reduced quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recognized as an effective psychological treatment for managing depression, anxiety, and stress. Although surgery for endometriosis improves a patient's quality…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring the Potential Impact of Prenatal Testosterone on Endometriosis

Exploring the Potential Impact of Prenatal Testosterone on Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The exact causes of endometriosis still remain uncertain but emerging evidence suggests that prenatal factors may contribute to its development. In the review study by Bernard J Cresp et al, the authors discuss the hormonal environment during prenatal development and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery for Deep Endometriosis

Surgery for Deep Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

In recent years, minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity, providing the best results in gynecologic cancers and deeply infiltrated endometriosis. With the help of a high-definition camera displayed on a TV monitor, the small structures are enlarged 4-7 times and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Endometriosis Are at a Higher Risk of Uterine Cancer

Women With Endometriosis Are at a Higher Risk of Uterine Cancer By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis are at a greater risk of cancer of the uterus, compared to controls, according to a new study published in the journal Cancers. The study found that women who are younger and who have had endometriosis for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Neuroendocrine pathway in endometriosis-related infertility

Neuroendocrine pathway in endometriosis-related infertility By Eylül GÜN

Dr. Robert Taylor from Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo presented on the newly defined neuroendocrine pathway and its role in endometriosis-related infertility and how implantation and pregnancy establishment might be disrupted in endometriosis at the Annual International Medical Conference of…

Key Points Lay Summary

​Integrative medical management of endometriosis

​Integrative medical management of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

This lecture entitled "Integrative Medical Management of Endometriosis" was presented by Dr. Pinar Kodaman, Director of the endoscopic reproductive surgery program and Assoc. Professor of Clinical ObGyn and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. In addition to surgery which…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of neurogenic inflammation in endometriosis

The role of neurogenic inflammation in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Prof. Mechsner from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany presented on neuroimmunomodulation and its clinical impact on endometriosis at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Endometriosis is a complex disease and the main symptoms are all pain-related. The pain mechanisms are…

Key Points Lay Summary

Epigenetic defects of stromal cells in endometriosis and adenomyosis lead to estrogen sensitivity

Epigenetic defects of stromal cells in endometriosis and adenomyosis lead to estrogen sensitivity By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Serdar Bulun, MD, J.J. Sciarra Professor and Chair Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois has delivered a conference on “Endometriosis and adenomyosis: single-cell genome-wide approaches” at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there any advantage of addition of hysterectomy on deep endometriotic pelvic pain or on the quality of life?

Is there any advantage of addition of hysterectomy on deep endometriotic pelvic pain or on the quality of life?  By Selma Oransay

 The addition of hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy to the endometriosis excision surgery provided greater benefits when compared to excision surgery alone, according to the results of a comparison study that was recently published in the journal named "Facts Views and Visions in Obstetrics…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stem cells could be a good choice for therapeutic steps in many gynecologic disorders, including endometriosis

Stem cells could be a good choice for therapeutic steps in many gynecologic disorders, including endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Liu from the First Hospital of Jilin University, China, and colleagues from China and the USA have published their comprehensive review on the therapeutic gateways of stem cells in female genital tract disorders in a recent issue of Life…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antioxidant astaxanthin has promising effects on endometriosis-related infertility.

Antioxidant astaxanthin has promising effects on endometriosis-related infertility. By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Rostami and colleagues from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, have published a pioneering clinical study on the effects of antioxidant astaxanthin supplementation in infertile endometriosis patients in the scientific journal named Frontiers in Endocrinology. A complicated network…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal Hydro laparoscopy for diagnosing and treatment of early stages of endometriosis

Transvaginal Hydro laparoscopy for diagnosing and treatment of early stages of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Transvaginal hydro laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the exploration of the female pelvis. An obliterated Douglas pouch by a fixed retroverted uterus, an ovarian endometrioma greater than 2 cm, and the presence of deeply infiltrated endometriosis are…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to cope with the probable complications of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

How to cope with the probable complications of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy By Özge Özkaya

Laparoscopic hysterectomy to treat endometriosis and adenomyosis can lead to complications, which are “non-negligible”, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.  It is, therefore, of great importance to know the factors that are associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

First-line surgery or first-line ART: A real challenge both for the clinicians and infertile women having DIE without colorectal involvement

First-line surgery or first-line ART: A real challenge both for the clinicians and infertile women having DIE without colorectal involvement By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is defined as the presence of endometriotic lesions over 5 mm in depth under the peritoneal surface. These women suffer from chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, bloody or painful bowel movements, and infertility. There…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does Endometriosis Surgery Increase the Rate of Pregnancy?

Does Endometriosis Surgery Increase the Rate of Pregnancy? By Özge Özkaya

Surgery to treat colorectal endometriosis leads to a high rate of pregnancy following the operation, found a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. The authors of the study said, “studies with a high level of evidence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Histopathologic examination always has the final word in tubal endometriosis

Histopathologic examination always has the final word in tubal endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Hai-Ning Jiao and coworkers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China, reported the salient features of 30 tubal endometriosis cases in the World Journal of Clinical Cases. Tubal endometriosis is characterized…

Key Points Lay Summary

New adapted ESHRE guidelines for endometriosis.

New adapted ESHRE guidelines for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Eun Hee Yu and Jong Kil Joo from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Pusan National University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea, published a commentary on the 2022 ESHRE guidelines, referring to the representative changes and important updates in a recently…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Multidisciplinary Surgical Team Is a Must in Deep Endometriosis Surgery

A Multidisciplinary Surgical Team Is a Must in Deep Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis must be managed by a team of multidisciplniary specialists, especially in case it causes damage to the digestive tract, according to a new study published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. According to the authors, the presence…

Key Points Lay Summary

A review of multimodal imaging modalities for endometriosis.

A review of multimodal imaging modalities for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Since there is a lack of non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis clinically, imaging techniques such as transvaginal ultrasonography and MRI have significant importance in preoperative endometriosis diagnosis. These imaging techniques allow appropriate surgical planning before laparoscopic excision, especially in deeply…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antiinflammatory lactoferrin molecule and antibody levels in endometriosis patients

Antiinflammatory lactoferrin molecule and antibody levels in endometriosis patients By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A Japanese clinical research team led by Dr. Kaya Mori-Yamanaka from Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, Shiga, Japan, published their pioneering study on the role of serum lactoferrin and anti-lactoferrin antibody levels in endometriosis in a recent issue of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Importance of dynamic cystoscopy for bladder endometriosis.

Importance of dynamic cystoscopy for bladder endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

Bladder endometriosis is a rare type of endometriosis but when diagnosed it requires extensive surgical procedures which include bladder resections. Thus, diagnosis and proper treatment are vital. In the study conducted in Brazil, the authors questioned the accuracy of applying…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic resection of bladder endometriosis

 Laparoscopic resection of bladder endometriosis By Selma Oransay

When we talk about deep-infiltrating endometriosis, one of the most commonly affected organs in the urinary tract is the bladder, with a prevalence of 80%. Bladder endometriosis can be defined as the existence of the endometrial glands and stroma inside…

Key Points Lay Summary

Current AAGL Staging System Not Good at Predicting Complexity of Endometriosis Surgery

Current AAGL Staging System Not Good at Predicting Complexity of Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

The link between the stage of endometriosis as defined by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the level of surgical complexity is weak or moderate, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. …

Key Points Lay Summary

This time it is good to have this stress: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and endometriosis.

This time it is good to have this stress: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a hormone-based inflammatory disease. Cell-level therapeutic options are very popular when resistance to cell death capacity of endometriotic cells is on the table. In the review conducted by Hussein Riyadh Abdul Kareem Al‑Hetty et al, the authors summarized…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comparison of two surgical approaches for endometriosis.

Comparison of two surgical approaches for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is one of the causes of infertility in women. But the pathophysiology of infertility caused by endometriosis is not yet clear. Hormonal disorders, abnormal peritoneal function, distorted pelvic anatomy, and multiple cesarean deliveries are among the accused.  Dr. Li…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Good is Ultra-Long GnRH-a Treatment Before IVF for Women With Endometriosis?

How Good is Ultra-Long GnRH-a Treatment Before IVF for Women With Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Pretreatment with ultra-long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), i.e. for at least three months before in vitro fertilization (IVF), has an adverse effect on patient pregnancy outcomes with endometriosis, according to a meta-analysis of the literature published in the Journal of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis awarness for the Gastroenterologists.

Endometriosis awarness for the Gastroenterologists. By Selma Oransay

Women with endometriosis can develop chronic abdominal pain and/or abnormal bowel habits more than eight times compared to women without endometriosis. For this reason, an undiagnosed patient with endometriosis may be referred to a gastroenterologist and remain in a situation…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Common is Adenomyosis Among Subfertile Women?

How Common is Adenomyosis Among Subfertile Women? By Özge Özkaya

Around 10% of women who have reduced fertility have isolated adenomyosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The prevalence of the disease seems to vary according to the presence of endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comparison of different IVF stimulation protocols for pregnancy success in infertile endometriosis patients

Comparison of different IVF stimulation protocols for pregnancy success in infertile endometriosis patients By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis may suffer from reproductive problems up to an incidence of 50%. Several pathophysiological mechanisms including anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis and sperm movements are the most responsible for the development of endometriosis-associated infertility.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Gathering brings relief to endometriosis pain.

Gathering brings relief to endometriosis pain. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that should be managed on a multidisciplinary basis. In a study conducted in Porto Rico, the authors designed a multitask organization to support women with endometriosis and analyzed its feasibility and accessibility. In order to define…

Key Points Lay Summary

GnRH Antagonists Can Effectively Reduce Endometriosis Pain

GnRH Antagonists Can Effectively Reduce Endometriosis Pain By Özge Özkaya

Oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are effective in reducing pain associated with endometriosis in 12 weeks, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The safety and efficacy of most drugs were dose-dependent…

Key Points Lay Summary

Activities of cytotoxic cells in endometriosis

Activities of cytotoxic cells in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Immunological dysfunction is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis, leading to defective immunosurveillance and the growth of endometriotic lesions. In this pathway, reduced cytotoxicity of peripheral and peritoneal natural killer (NK) cells is seen as a contributing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Conventional IVF or ICSI: Which one is more accurate in endometriosis-related infertility?

Conventional IVF or ICSI: Which one is more accurate in endometriosis-related infertility? By Hale Goksever Celik

Although the prevalence of endometriosis is 10-15% in the general population at reproductive age, it is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between endometriosis and infertility has not…

Key Points Lay Summary

The optimal endometrial preparation protocol in FET cycles of women with endometriosis.

The optimal endometrial preparation protocol in FET cycles of women with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis can create infertility and may require treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) to induce pregnancy. However, the current literature rarely discusses the optimal endometrial preparation protocol in thawed-frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles for endometriotic patients. Dr.Jin. group from the Reproductive…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Can Endometriosis Care Be Improved?

How Can Endometriosis Care Be Improved? By Özge Özkaya

Researchers identified 61 areas for improvement in endometriosis care based on the answers of endometriosis patients. Of these the top five areas of improvement were to train caregivers in order to develop their knowledge about endometriosis, to provide better management…

Key Points Lay Summary

Evaluation of the postoperative disability in women with endometriosis.

 Evaluation of the postoperative disability in women with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is a chronic disease with a prevalence of 4,4% in women of reproductive age. It is also estimated that 23,8 of infertile women have endometriosis. Pelvic pain, dyschezia, dysmenorrhea, and dysuria are the symptoms of this disease that negatively…

Key Points Lay Summary

The most common gynecologic admissions to the emergency: Endometriosis and adenomyosis

The most common gynecologic admissions to the emergency: Endometriosis and adenomyosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are pelvic pain and infertility. Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrial glandular and stromal tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, called the myometrium. Women having adenomyosis also…

Key Points Lay Summary

The emotions and experiences of women with endometriosis during and after pregnancy

The emotions and experiences of women with endometriosis during and after pregnancy By Eylül GÜN

It is well-known that endometriosis patients have a high rate of infertility and a hard time getting pregnant compared to women without endometriosis. Despite the belief that pregnancy can alleviate endometriosis symptoms, some studies have shown that women with endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Highlights Link Between Endometriosis and Mental Health Problems

Study Highlights Link Between Endometriosis and Mental Health Problems By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis is associated with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders found a new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open. This is the first large-scale study showing a link between endometriosis and the mental health…

Key Points Lay Summary

Relation between hormone replacement therapy and postmenopausal endometriosis.

Relation between hormone replacement therapy and postmenopausal endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

The faith of endometriosis after oophorectomy with hysterectomy is unknown. It is clear that applying only a hysterectomy but leaving the affected tissue behind is not a solution for endometriosis-related symptoms. Either total clearance or leaving endometriotic tissues behind when…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diaphragmatic Endometriosis: a Call for Awareness

Diaphragmatic Endometriosis: a Call for Awareness By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Pagano and colleagues from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Bern, Switzerland, have published a prospective cohort study on diaphragmatic involvement in endometriosis patients in a recent issue of “The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology”. Endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With More Severe Endometriosis Have Fewer Eggs

Women With More Severe Endometriosis Have Fewer Eggs By Özge Özkaya

Severe endometriosis negatively affects ovarian response and the quality of oocytes and embryos, according to a new study published in JBRA Assisted Reproduction. However, the rate of fertilization does not seem to be affected by endometriosis stage.  These findings could…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ultrasonographic Presurgical Staging and Classification of Endometriosis

 Ultrasonographic Presurgical Staging and Classification of Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis, but a preoperative imaging procedure is strongly recommended. Transvaginal sonography by a skilled examiner is not inferior to MRI diagnostics regarding sensitivity and specificity in predicting the extension of deep endometriosis.  …

Key Points Lay Summary

Does taking all deep endo nodules out improve fertility?

Does taking all deep endo nodules out improve fertility? By Bahar Yuksel

Deep infiltrative endometriosis is an issue that comes to the scene more than before according to detection rates with help of awareness on clinicians. But treating infertility related to endometriosis is still unclear when it comes to DIE patients. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

Sexual function in infertile women with PCOS and endometriosis

Sexual function in infertile women with PCOS and endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis suffer from several symptoms and signs including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility which have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Sexual dysfunction also is a common problem for endometriosis patients due to complex…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis, Age, and Ovarian Reserve

Endometriosis, Age, and Ovarian Reserve By Özge Özkaya

The effect of endometriosis on ovarian reserve can be enhanced with older age, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.  This finding is important because it can help clinicians guide their patients in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal ultrasound or MRI for retroflexed uterus in endometriosis

Transvaginal ultrasound or MRI for retroflexed uterus in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr Matsuda and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan have published their study evaluating the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasound on the diagnosis of uterine retroflexion in a recent issue of “Journal of Nippon…

Key Points Lay Summary

Imaging techniques for fallopian tubes

Imaging techniques for fallopian tubes By Selma Oransay

The imaging techniques used for suspected fallopian tube pathology are ultrasound, hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography, hysterosalpingography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Among several benign lesions that involve fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubo-ovarian abscess, salpingitis isthmica nodosa, hydrosalpinx, tubal endometriosis, isolated fallopian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Younger Women With Endometriosis Feel More Pain

Younger Women With Endometriosis Feel More Pain By Özge Özkaya

Younger women with endometriosis feel more period pain (dysmenorrhea) and pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) compared to older women with the disease, found a new study published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.  Acknowledging this fact can make sure…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diagnostic criteria for uterosacral ligament involvement in endometriosis.

Diagnostic criteria for uterosacral ligament involvement in endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Transvaginal ultrasonography is often used to diagnose endometriosis in suspected women due to its high resolution, low cost, and relatively low discomfort. Histologic confirmation of laparoscopically removed specimens is still the gold standard for appropriate diagnosis.  The team led by…

Key Points Lay Summary

Machine learning based potential biomarkers

Machine learning based potential biomarkers               By Bahar Yuksel

To explore potential biomarkers for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, and to elucidate the mechanism of endometriosis, Yi Huang et al, analyzed gene differences between eutopic and ectopic endometrium and the status of the immune microenvironment., and published their results in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

 Adverse pregnancy outcomes and endometriosis.

 Adverse pregnancy outcomes and endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Inflammation plays a big role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis with the release of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic imbalance, and oxidative stress. These pathways are also common features of severe maternal morbidity. Severe maternal morbidity is life-threatening, causing cardiac and renal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Creating a reliable indirect immunofluorescence protocol as a promising diagnostic tool for endometriosis

Creating a reliable indirect immunofluorescence protocol as a promising diagnostic tool for endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Owing to its inflammatory nature, endometriosis results in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which disrupt the cellular functions and eventually lead the cell to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Senescence, the natural state of irreversible cell cycle arrest,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Rare but important entity: perineal endometriosis

Rare but important entity: perineal endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Zhu and colleagues from Peking Union Medical College Hospital have published their retrospective research on "surgically treated perineal endometriosis cases" in a recent issue of BMC’s Women’s Health. Perineal endometriosis is a rare type of endometriosis accounting for at…

Key Points Lay Summary

Do combination GnRH antagonists improve endometriosis-associated pain?

Do combination GnRH antagonists improve endometriosis-associated pain? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain. It has been understood in light of scientific evidence that endometriosis results in diminished quality of life in these…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which parameter is useful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk in perimenopausal endometriosis patients?

Which parameter is useful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk in perimenopausal endometriosis patients? By Eylül GÜN

Cardiovascular disease is known to be the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Studies have shown that postmenopausal women are at a greater risk as well as women who undergo premature menopause proving the effect of hormonal imbalances on…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian endometriomas, ovarian reserve, oocyte quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes

 Ovarian endometriomas, ovarian reserve, oocyte quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes By Selma Oransay

Surgery and assisted reproductive technology (ART) are the preferred treatments for endometrioma in infertile patients. When ART is considered, surgery may seem to have no advantages, as it may not improve pregnancy outcomes and may carry the risk of decreasing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep Endometriosis Surgery and Women’s Quality of Life

Deep Endometriosis Surgery and Women’s Quality of Life By Özge Özkaya

The physical and social functions as well as the overall physical health is worse than normal among Spanish women who underwent surgery for deep endometriosis, reported a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The bodily pain, emotional…

Key Points Lay Summary

Uterine agenesis patients may have endometriosis too

Uterine agenesis patients may have endometriosis too By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Steinmacher and colleagues at the Tuebingen University Hospital, Germany have published their unique study on a series of patients with congenital Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome in a recent issue of the “Journal of Clinical Medicine”. The absence uterus and upper…

Key Points Lay Summary

Predictability of IVF success by basal progesterone levels on patients with endometriosis

Predictability of IVF success by basal progesterone levels on patients with endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis causes infertility in around 30-40% of all diagnosed women. Thus, strategies leading to more successful IVF results remain important. In the prospective study by Jovan Bila, the menstruation day 3 levels of serum progesterone were questioned to have a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Minimally Invasive Surgery Improves the Quality of Life of Women With Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Minimally Invasive Surgery Improves the Quality of Life of Women With Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Minimally invasive surgery improves the quality of life of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis two years after the operation, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The results are similar between conservative and total surgery.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Efficacy of Uterine Artery Blockage in Endometriosis Management

Efficacy of Uterine Artery Blockage in Endometriosis Management By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Li Ma and associates from Liaoning, China have published their results of a computerized database search on the role of uterine artery embolization in endometriosis in a recent issue of the periodical “Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience”. Currently, the management…

Key Points Lay Summary

Opioid use following operation for endometriosis or pelvic pain

Opioid use following operation for endometriosis or pelvic pain By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis have pain in the form of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, and they have a diminished quality of life depending on the severity of pelvic pain. Opioids have been preferred in many patients suffering from pain,…

Key Points Lay Summary

What causes pelvic pain? Androgens or estrogens?

What causes pelvic pain? Androgens or estrogens? By Selma Oransay

A comparison between women and men reveals that women suffer more pelvic pain. This reality raises the possibility of the pain-relieving effect of testosterone or androgens. It would be a wise solution to investigate how androgens affect pain at different…

Key Points Lay Summary

Obstetric Outcomes of Pre-pregnancy Endometriosis Surgery

Obstetric Outcomes of Pre-pregnancy Endometriosis Surgery By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis may be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including placenta praevia, preterm birth, premature prelabour rupture of membranes, obstetric hemorrhage, gestational hypertensive disorders, fetal growth restriction, and perinatal death. Some authors have attempted to demonstrate a causal relationship between endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Foreseeing what will be seen on laparoscopy

Foreseeing what will be seen on laparoscopy By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis diagnosis still relies on preoperative prediction and its confirmation by taking biopsies. Thus, a prediction model for forecasting what would be waiting for the surgeon and the patient will be promising to get prepared.   In the study conducted…

Key Points Lay Summary

Scientists Try to Understand Consequences of Genetic Changes in Endometriosis

Scientists Try to Understand Consequences of Genetic Changes in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The protocol of the "Endometriosis Research Queensland Study" has been published in the scientific journal BMJ Open. The aim of the study is to collect endometrial tissue associated with the disease and chart its genetic architecture. This way, the researchers aim to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antimicrobial agent ornidazole yields promising effects in an animal model of endometriosis

Antimicrobial agent ornidazole yields promising effects in an animal model of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Xiaoduo Qin and collaborators from Chinese medical centers, have published their results on the role of ornidazole using an experimental rat model in a recent issue of the periodical “Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation”. Progression of endometriotic foci depends on the presence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-hormonal medication for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain

 Non-hormonal medication for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain By Selma Oransay

The thought of benefiting from non-hormonal therapy in endometriosis pain is based on the pathophysiological findings that include angiogenesis, fibrosis, the presence of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells, apoptosis, and stem cell theory. But the effect of this treatment in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does endometrioma size have an effect on IVF/ICSI outcomes?

Does endometrioma size have an effect on IVF/ICSI outcomes? By Hale Goksever Celik

Assisted reproductive technologies including IVF/ICSI can be suggested as the therapeutic option in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. In literature, there is a controversy regarding the influence of endometrioma size on IVF/ICSI outcomes. The group led by Drs Chapron and Santoulli…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Care Is More Patient-Centered for age older than 35

Endometriosis Care Is More Patient-Centered for age older than 35 By Özge Özkaya

Women younger than age 35 receive endometriosis care in a less patient-centered manner compared to older women, found a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This finding underscores the importance of improving endometriosis care, especially for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep lateral parametrial endometriosis nerve-sparing surgery 

Deep lateral parametrial endometriosis nerve-sparing surgery  By Selma Oransay

Dr. Kanno et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kurashiki medical center, Okayama, Japan recently published a deep lateral parametrial endometriosis case report in the journal named Fertility and Sterility. The aim is to demonstrate the technical and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Devilish triad: Endometriosis-irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders

Devilish triad: Endometriosis-irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders By Bahar Yuksel

Most women with endometriosis report digestive symptoms. But it is not well-defined whether those are related to endometriosis itself or a secondary syndrome may be the cause. Irritable bowel syndrome, eating disorders, and anxiety are very commonly diagnosed diseases among women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adenomyosis and the anti-mullerian hormone levels

Adenomyosis and  the anti-mullerian hormone levels By Eylül GÜN

The presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrial layer of the uterus is called adenomyosis. It is considered a form of endometriosis and affects up to 35% of women with varying symptomatology, from asymptomatic to subfertility. For a…

Key Points Lay Summary

TSH receptor antibodies show promising results in the diagnostic workup of endometriosis

TSH receptor antibodies show promising results in the diagnostic workup of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Svensson with collaborators from the Swedish Lund University has published their results on the possible role of TSH receptor antibodies as biomarkers in endometriosis diagnosis in a recent issue of “European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology”.…

Key Points Lay Summary

How beneficial is colorectal surgery for patients with deep endometriosis?

How beneficial is colorectal surgery for patients with deep endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

In cases of deep endometriosis, which causes more severe pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, the patient's quality of life and fertility outcomes are negatively affected. Surgical intervention is thought to be the optimal treatment method in colorectal deep endometriosis cases, however,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative serum markers to predict serum AMH recovery following endometriosis surgery

Postoperative serum markers to predict  serum AMH recovery following endometriosis surgery By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis seek treatment including ovarian cystectomy, because of symptoms that reduce their quality of life. Ovarian cystectomy using laparoscopic or robotic devices is the preferred therapy. However, it has been shown in the literature that ovarian reserve is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Web-based resource to improve menstrual health awareness

Web-based resource to improve menstrual health awareness By Selma Oransay

Many women consider "menstrual pain" a normal part of being female, and do not seek medical help but rather use self-management methods such as heat, rest, and analgesics. They are often unsure which self-management strategies are effective or what the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exposure to toxic metals and the risk of endometriosis

Exposure to toxic metals and the risk of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Mercury, lead, and cadmium are the best-studied heavy metals for several adverse effects on the human reproductive system. Mercury can induce DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and lead exposure is associated with menstrual disorders, preterm birth, and miscarriage.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Time to change out taboos about the radiologic evaluation of scar endometriosis

Time to change out taboos about the radiologic evaluation of scar endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Scar endometriosis is one of the rare forms of endometriosis. According to traditional belief, it has always been evaluated radiologically on menstruation days. In the study conducted by Balaban et al, the authors compared the differences in lesions according to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Rhein usage in endometriosis: A potential new therapeutic agent

Rhein usage in endometriosis: A potential new therapeutic agent By Eylül GÜN

The invasive nature of endometriosis has prompted scientists to find preventative and curative methods.  The progression and proliferation of endometriotic lesions are being studied extensively. As one of the agents used in Chinese herbal medicine for inflammatory disorders, rhein is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the possible mechanisms of pain.

 Endometriosis and the possible mechanisms of pain. By Selma Oransay

The most common clinical symptoms of endometriosis are chronic pelvic pain and infertility. It is often not enough to treat pain symptoms with hormonal therapy or a surgical approach. Moreover, the stage of endometriosis has weakly associated with the amount,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the cumulative live birth rate in IVF cycles.

Endometriosis and the cumulative live birth rate in IVF cycles.  By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is one of the symptoms encountered in up to 40-50% of women with endometriosis. There are several pathophysiological theories suggesting the development of endometriosis-associated infertility. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) has been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Taller Girls More Likely to Have Recurring Endometriosis

Taller Girls More Likely to Have Recurring Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Adolescents who are taller and have three or more lesions are at a higher risk of endometriosis recurrence following surgery, according to a new study by Chinese researchers published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They should, therefore, be…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Sex Life of Women With Endometriosis Improve After Laparoscopic Surgery

The Sex Life of Women With Endometriosis Improve After Laparoscopic Surgery By Eylül GÜN

As one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis, dyspareunia affects the patient's quality of life in many aspects including sexual dysfunction and disorders. Among the treatment methods used in endometriosis, laparoscopic surgery is suggested to improve the symptoms of dyspareunia and the…

Key Points Lay Summary

A prediction model to identify endometriosis during routine ultrasound .

A prediction model to identify endometriosis during routine ultrasound . By Selma Oransay

. Ureterolysis is an advanced surgical technique that involves dissection of the ureter from pelvic brim to the ureteric tunnel to avoid injury or freeing the ureter from endometriotic lesions. This manipulation usually requieres advanced surgical training and skill. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

T-cell-targeted immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of endometriosis

T-cell-targeted immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Monika Abraimuk and colleagues from Poland published their review on "the importance of immunity in endometriosis" in a recent issue of the medical journal “Cellular Signaling”. A great challenge in contemporary medical issues is endometriosis which still lacks a…

Key Points Lay Summary

How do the couples feel when dealing with endometriosis?

How do the couples feel when dealing with endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

The effects of endometriosis on the patients' psychosocial well-being are well known. However, not many studies have investigated how it impacts the well-being of partners and couples. A few studies focused on the male perspective of the disease, whereas some…

Key Points Lay Summary

Parametrial endometriosis and postoperative voiding dysfunction.

Parametrial endometriosis and postoperative voiding dysfunction. By Selma Oransay

Parametrium constitutes a complex connective tissue containing blood vessels, the ureter, and the inferior hypogastric plexus, that extends from the lateral surface of the cervix and vagina to the lateral pelvic wall. Parametrial endometriosis may involve the vessels, nerves, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combined Birth Control Pills May Be Beneficial in Reducing Endometriosis Pain

Combined Birth Control Pills May Be Beneficial in Reducing Endometriosis Pain By Özge Özkaya

Treatment with an extended regimen of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone improves health-related quality of life, according to a new study conducted on Japanese women with painful periods or pelvic pain due to endometriosis. (Ethinylestradiol and drospirenone are medications that are widely…

Key Points Lay Summary

Turn around to come to the same spot: Nothing specific to predict AMH decline

Turn around to come to the same spot: Nothing specific to predict AMH decline By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriomas are challenging lesions as they might cause a decline in ovarian function either only by their presence or related to their surgery. Thus, any preoperative parameter that might give a vision to a surgeon for postoperative results is crucial.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Prediction by "Machine Learning"

Endometriosis Prediction by By Selma Oransay

To develop a predictive model for endometriosis and to re-assess the contribution of known risk factors, Blass et al. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel used the data of the UK biobank by machine learning-based models. They compared and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Placenta Previa More Common Among Pregnant Women With Endometriosis

Placenta Previa More Common Among Pregnant Women With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis is associated with a higher risk of placenta previa, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. This is the case whether the women became pregnant following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Moreover, for women with endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vitamin C as a possible therapeutic agent in endometriosis

Vitamin C as a possible therapeutic agent in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

A rather toxic environment is generated with the production of reactive oxygen species by the immune cells in endometriosis. The anti-oxidant metabolism is also altered which results in a state of oxidative stress. As a potent antioxidant, Vitamin C has…

Key Points Lay Summary

A call for mast cells from endometriotic lesions

A call for mast cells from endometriotic lesions By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a well-known hormonal-dependent inflammatory disease. But what type of inflammatory cells is responsible, and when does estrogen take part, are questions that have not been answered yet. In the study conducted by Alison McCallion et al, the role…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Identifies Factors Associated With Risk of UrinaryTract Endometriosis Recurrence

Study Identifies Factors Associated With Risk of UrinaryTract Endometriosis Recurrence By Özge Özkaya

Being younger than age 25 and having an autoimmune disease are significant predictors of the recurrence of urinary tract endometriosis after surgery according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Adjuvant hormonal therapy, on the…

Key Points Lay Summary

To Remove the Ovary(ies) or Not During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

To Remove the Ovary(ies) or Not During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Some surgeons prefer empiric bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy during the hysterectomy of women with endometriosis based on the knowledge that endometriosis is stimulated by endogenous estrogens, as leaving the ovaries in situ may increase the possibility of endometriosis recurrence and pelvic pain.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Coexistence of endometriosis and cardiovascular diseases

Coexistence of endometriosis and cardiovascular diseases By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common presenting complaints are mainly pelvic pain and infertility, most of which relate to the menstrual period. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably pelvic pain. Several theories have been proposed to explain the development…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriotic cyst fluid and the postoperative recurrence of endometriosis

Endometriotic cyst fluid and the postoperative recurrence of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Xinxin Xu and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China, published their research on the viability of endometrial cells in ovarian cyst fluids in a recent issue of  “Journal of Ovarian Research”.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and environmental factors

Endometriosis and environmental factors By Selma Oransay

The estrogen-dependent nature of endometriosis has generally led to search endocrine-based causes. Especially, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and Dietilstilbesterol are the most studied chemicals in the literature. Interesting data that needs confirmation in the future also suggest a link with night…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fallopian tube occlusion in infertile women with endometriosis

Fallopian tube occlusion in infertile women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis suffer from fertility problems with an incidence of 40-50%. Among the pathophysiologic mechanisms resulting in impaired fertility in women with endometriosis, distorted pelvic anatomy due to adhesions,  impaired follicular quality-quantity, dysfunction of tubal peristalsis, and implantation problems…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Oocyte Quality in Ovarian Endometriosis

The Oocyte Quality in Ovarian Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometrioma is the ovarian involvement of endometriosis affecting up to 44% of women diagnosed with the disease. Owing to the anatomical locus, ovarian endometriosis may impair folliculogenesis and oocyte competence, differing from other forms of endometriosis.  When investigating the relationship between…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of postoperative hormonal medication preferences on the recurrence rate of endometrioma

The effect of postoperative hormonal medication preferences on the recurrence rate of endometrioma By Bahar Yuksel

Endometrioma is the most investigated type of endometriosis. The recurrence after surgery is important regarding its and reoperation’s effect on ovarian functions. In the study conducted by Seung-Hye Choi et al, the researchers questioned the effect of different postoperative hormonal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and IBS Have Different Comorbidities

Endometriosis and IBS Have Different Comorbidities By Özge Özkaya

Comorbidities of endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are different despite several overlapping symptoms, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction. These comorbidities are usually related to the organ systems that are primarily involved in…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effects of resveratrol on endometriotic cells

The effects of resveratrol on endometriotic cells By Eylül GÜN

The current treatment methods for endometriosis still carry recurrence risks and side effects from medications. Herbal medicine has been investigated and used as an additional alternative method. Derived from several plants and found in some dietary sources, resveratrol is a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Gluten Intake May Not Have an Effect on Endometriosis

Gluten Intake May Not Have an Effect on Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Carbohydrate quality and certain types of fiber such as total vegetable and cruciferous vegetable fiber seem to be associated with endometriosis in women before menopause, found a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition. According to the study, it…

Key Points Lay Summary

Start exercising for pain relief

Start exercising for pain relief By Bahar Yuksel

Physical exercises have always been suggested for chronic pain-related diseases as well as endometriosis. However, the effect of exercise and the frequency that is effective on pain relief is unknown. In the study conducted by Ipek Ensari et al, a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combined "Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and CA125" may be promising predictor for adhesions

Combined By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Drs. Guo & Zhang from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China published their manuscript on the importance of combined "platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and CA125 level" as a biomarker of endometriosis in a recent…

Key Points Lay Summary

Time has come to learn more about endometriosis and take action!

Time has come to learn more about endometriosis and take action! By Eylül GÜN

It has been a long time since endometriosis was defined. Extensive population studies have shown that around 10% of women suffer from this condition. Depending on its severity, it alters the various functions of the body and causes the patients…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does the timing of endometriosis diagnosis affect optimal infertility treatment?

Does the timing of endometriosis diagnosis affect optimal infertility treatment? By Selma Oransay

Based on a retrospective population-linked data study in "Human Reproduction", the ESHRE journal club featured a detailed discussion with 50 participants, patients’ representatives, and experts (Paola Vigano´, Mathew Leonardi, Thomas D’Hooghe, Louise Hull), together with the authors of the original article, mainly…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Endometriosis Self-Assessment Tool Could Help Women Seek Timely Medical Attention

New Endometriosis Self-Assessment Tool Could Help Women Seek Timely Medical Attention By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from Korea developed a self-assessment tool that may allow women to determine their risk of endometriosis. They described the tool in an article they published in the scientific journal Obstetrics & Gynecology Science. “The devised tool appears valid and…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to reduce follicle loss during endometrioma surgery?

How to reduce follicle loss during endometrioma surgery? By Bahar Yuksel

Bilateral endometrioma is a critical situation to decide on further approaches when both infertility and pain are concerned. Techniques to protect ovarian functions are crucial when applying a cyst removal is inevitable. In the retrospective study conducted by Lingli Xin…

Key Points Lay Summary

Genomic evidence: The recognition of endometriosis as an inflammatory systemic disease

Genomic evidence: The recognition of endometriosis as an inflammatory systemic disease By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Bao and associates from Shangai-China published a new article on the genomic features of endometriosis that could yield information on its inflammatory basis and possible therapeutic potential in a recent issue of “Frontiers ın Immunology”. Endometriosis is a systemic process…

Key Points Lay Summary

Evaluation of retrocervical and parametrial deep endometriosis by detailed ultrasonography

 Evaluation of retrocervical and parametrial deep endometriosis by detailed ultrasonography By Selma Oransay

The accuracy of ultrasonographic diagnosis of deep endometriosis in the retrocervical and parametrial areas may be poor due to the variable morphology of endometriotic lesions, the complex structure of the posterior parametrial compartment, and the difference in examiners' experience level.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis-associated infertility: How to manage?

Endometriosis-associated infertility: How to manage? By Hale Goksever Celik

Although the underlying reason for endometriosis has not been fully established, there is an association between endometriosis and infertility. Endometriosis is thought to be involved in 40-50 percent of infertility cases. However, natural conception can still occur even in women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is it possible to reduce pain by diet in endometriosis?

Is it possible to reduce pain by diet in endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis-related pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis that significantly affects the patient's quality of life. The peripheral and central sensitization, caused by chronic inflammation activation, may result in referred pain. The pain perception was shown to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian Endometrioma Reduces the Chance of a Successful Pregnancy With IVF

Ovarian Endometrioma Reduces the Chance of a Successful Pregnancy With IVF By Özge Özkaya

Ovarian endometrioma significantly decreases ovarian reserve or the capacity of the ovaries to produce eggs that are able to be fertilized and give rise to a successful pregnancy. This is according to a study published in the scientific journal Medicine.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new potential therapeutic target in endometriosis: Galectin-3

A new potential therapeutic target in endometriosis: Galectin-3 By Eylül GÜN

The endometrial cells migrate and attach to the peritoneal surface according to the most widely accepted retrograde menstruation theory in endometriosis development. Given that only 10% of women have endometriosis, it is thought that some additional factors contribute to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

How do regional differences affect the incidence rates of endometriosis?

How do regional differences affect the incidence rates of endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Despite all the ongoing work for endometriosis awareness, it continues to be an underdiagnosed disease. Several different factors are responsible for this. The variations of its symptomatology play a big part as well as the lack of understanding of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility assessment and surgical approach in endometriotic patients.

Fertility assessment and surgical approach in endometriotic patients. By Selma Oransay

The prevalence of endometriosis is around 50-70% in women with pelvic pain, and it has been reported as 50% in patients with infertility. Severe adhesive disease associated with advanced endometriosis is a cause of fertility impairment. The relationship between endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of chronic endometritis on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women having minimal/mild endometriosis

The effect of chronic endometritis on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women having minimal/mild endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is frequently diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. Infertility can be associated with endometriosis in these women depending on several pathophysiologic mechanisms such as anatomic distortion, and implantation failure. Thus pregnancy rate is so important, especially…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma and its relation with fibrosis, dysmenorrhea, and AMH levels.

Endometrioma and its relation with fibrosis, dysmenorrhea, and AMH levels. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometrioma is an indicator of endometriosis which makes it easy to diagnose the disease for most clinicians. But the symptoms and relationship of endometrioma with menstrual pain severity and the ovarian reserve as well as its markers are not well…

Key Points Lay Summary

Understanding the expression of endometriosis-related pain: A barrier to overcome

Understanding the expression of endometriosis-related pain: A barrier to overcome By Eylül GÜN

It is difficult to describe the feeling of pain, one of the most important symptoms of endometriosis because it is subjective. Endometriosis-related pain is proven to be underestimated by some clinicians resulting in the patient getting a late diagnosis. It…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative outcomes of deep intestinal endometriosis surgery.

 Postoperative outcomes of deep intestinal endometriosis surgery. By Selma Oransay

Invasion of endometriotic lesions to the bowels' mucosal and/or muscular levels is called intestinal deep endometriosis. These lesions are most frequently found in the rectosigmoid colon, followed by the rectum, ileum,  appendix, and caecum. The optimal surgical approach to intestinal deep…

Key Points Lay Summary

Soluble CD90 : a potential serum biomarker in endometriosis

Soluble CD90 : a potential serum biomarker in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Bochev and colleagues from several medical centers in Bulgaria published their research on the role of a possible serum biomarker in diagnosing endometriosis in a recent issue of the journal named “Disease Markers”. The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis, an…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are my Eggs Good Enough for IVF?

Are my Eggs Good Enough for IVF? By Özge Özkaya

There does not seem to be any difference in the rate of live births between women with endometriosis who became pregnant following IVF using their own eggs or eggs obtained from a donor. This suggests that oocyte quality may not…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immune cells in peritoneal endometriosis

Immune cells in peritoneal endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Burcu Ersoy and associates from The University of Sydney, Australia, published their interesting study on surgically removed peritoneal endometriosis tissues in the journal named "F&S Science". It is still a dilemma how ectopic endometrial tissues attach to the peritoneum, persist…

Key Points Lay Summary

The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for deep urinary tract endometrisis.

The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for deep urinary tract endometrisis. By Selma Oransay

The prevalence of urinary tract endometriosis is 19-53% in patients within deep infiltrating endometriosis cases. The bladder and ureteral are the most common sites of the involvement. While preparing a radical surgery for a patient with deep endometriosis, the diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

A search for a marker to show the malignancy risk of endometriomas

A search for a marker to show the malignancy risk of endometriomas By Bahar Yuksel

The premalignant features and precursors that show the malignant potential in endometriomas are not well-known. In the systematic review conducted by Ludovica Bartiromo et al, the markers for malignant transformation have been analyzed and recently published in a recent issue of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in transmasculine people

Endometriosis in transmasculine people By Eylül GÜN

“Transmasculine” refers to people who were assigned female at birth but later identify themselves with masculinity. If they choose to transition to the male gender, they are then prescribed long-term testosterone and some may want to undergo a hysterectomy as…

Key Points Lay Summary

Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis

Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Patients may have an average of 7 clinical visits before being diagnosed with endometriosis. Understanding chronic pain conditions including endometriosis-associated pain, and developing chronic pelvic pain benefits the management of the patients. The role of central sensitization, comorbid conditions, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is it possible to predict recurrence after ovarian endometriosis surgery?

Is it possible to predict recurrence after ovarian endometriosis surgery? By Eylül GÜN

The current treatment methods for endometriosis both have their flaws: the medical treatment is sometimes ineffective and the surgical treatment comes with a high rate of recurrence. Even though new surgical modalities have been developed, laparoscopic cyst removal continues to…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association between inflammatory cytokines and fertility in women with endometriosis

The association between inflammatory cytokines and fertility in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis suffer not only from a broad spectrum of symptoms including pain including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain but also fertility problems. Endometriosis-associated infertility develops depending on a combination of several mechanisms such as distorted pelvic anatomy,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery Improves the Sex Life and Sleep of Women With Endometriosis

Surgery Improves the Sex Life and Sleep of Women With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis surgery improves patients’ quality of life, sexual function, and sleep confirms a new study by Turkish researchers published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. According to the first author Dr. Belfin Nur Arici Halici of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does inhibiting the formation of the new blood vessels aid in endometriosis treatment?

Does inhibiting the formation of the new blood vessels aid in endometriosis treatment? By Eylül GÜN

Current treatment modalities for endometriosis include a hormonal alteration which has many side effects and surgical removal which has a high postoperative recurrence rate. Alternative non-hormonal treatment methods have been investigated and anti-angiogenic therapy is one of them. Dr.s Chung…

Key Points Lay Summary

Why Do Some Women Develop Endometriosis While Other Don’t?

Why Do Some Women Develop Endometriosis While Other Don’t? By Özge Özkaya

Chemotaxis by natural killer cells as well as cytotoxicity is significantly decreased in the peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. This means that antigens that enter the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The relation between body mass index and endometriosis

 The relation between body mass index and endometriosis By Selma Oransay

The studies have emphasized a link between low BMI values and endometriosis, however, this conclusion may be questionable when the estrogen dependence of the disease is concerned. Excess adipose tissue may produce higher circulating estrogen that may result in an…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does endometrioma affect ovarian reserve to reach pregnancy and birth?

Does endometrioma affect ovarian reserve to reach pregnancy and birth? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometrioma occurs in approximately 17-44% of women with endometriosis. These women suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and also infertility. Although the exact mechanism explaining endometriosis-associated infertility has not been elucidated, distorted pelvic anatomy, impaired ovarian function, altered microenvironment-endometrial receptivity,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adenomyosis Increases Risk of Surgical Complications

Adenomyosis Increases Risk of Surgical Complications By Özge Özkaya

Adenomyosis increases the risk of deep endometriosis surgery complications, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports. Patients with deep endometriosis and adenomyosis should therefore be informed about this risk before undergoing surgery. Adenomyosis occurs together with…

Key Points Lay Summary

The consequence of COVID-19 pandemic on endometriosis patients

The consequence of COVID-19 pandemic on endometriosis patients By Selma Oransay

The relevant policies and restrictions concerning Covid-19 have prevented patients from accessing medical care. Similarly, standard care for endometriosis patients has also been negatively impacted by postponed or canceled appointments and suspended surgeries across the countries. Women trying to cope…

Key Points Lay Summary

The evaluation of sexual dysfunction in infertile women

The evaluation of sexual dysfunction in infertile women By Eylül GÜN

Infertility constitutes a serious health problem in women and men worldwide. The most common causes of women’s infertility are reported to be endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The prevalence of infertility in women with endometriosis is as high as 50%.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Self-Management Strategies for Endometriosis

 Self-Management Strategies for Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Many self-management strategies for endometriosis are not more effective at reducing the symptoms of the disease compared to placebo or hormonal therapies, according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive Sciences.  The authors, therefore concluded that “no recommendations…

Key Points Lay Summary

Atherosclerosis is augmented in laboratory mice by experimental endometriosis

Atherosclerosis is augmented in laboratory mice by experimental endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Taylor group from Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA has published their experimental study in the "American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology" on atherosclerosis following endometriosis induction in laboratory mice. The basic inflammation process in endometriosis patients…

Key Points Lay Summary

How possible is it to diagnose endometriosis from a urine sample?

How possible is it to diagnose endometriosis from a urine sample? By Eylül GÜN

The development of non-invasive diagnostic methods in endometriosis is essential for successful surveillance. Various biomarkers have been used for this purpose, including biomarkers from serum, peritoneal irrigation fluid, endometrial tissue biopsy, and urine. Dr. Chen et al. from Taiwan conducted…

Key Points Lay Summary

Abdominal wall endometriosis is not a rare disease as supposed

Abdominal wall endometriosis is not a rare disease as supposed By Hale Goksever Celik

Abdominal wall endometriosis is an iatrogenic type of endometriosis defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue on the abdominal wall including skin, the rectus abdominis muscle, and rectus muscle sheath. Cyclical pain, mass located on the abdominal…

Key Points Lay Summary

The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis.

The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, these patients are generally diagnosed in advanced stage due to their non-symptomatic nature. Therefore, preventative strategies have enormous importance for the management of ovarian cancer.  Dr. Hermens and colleagues…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preoperative detailed ultrasound is effective for the prediction of surgical extent.

Preoperative detailed ultrasound is effective for the prediction of surgical extent. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis surgery is like opening the box of pandora when you start the surgery. A preoperative guide is extremely important for the surgeon to draw a road map. In the study conducted by Alessandra Di Giovanni et al, the effectiveness…

Key Points Lay Summary

A novel contribution to patient management in endometriosis by immunohistochemistry

A novel contribution to patient management in endometriosis by immunohistochemistry By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Tarumi and associates from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan published their retrospective cohort study on the importance of progesterone receptors on recurring ovarian endometriosis in "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism". Surgery for endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are the studies based on the nationwide databases more accurate?

Are the studies based on the nationwide databases more accurate? By Eylül GÜN

One of the most common localizations of endometriosis is the ovaries, and therefore, ovarian endometriomas are among the most surgically treated endometriotic lesions. Dr. Roman from Denmark has recently written an editorial about the surgical interventions on ovarian endometrioma and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis diagnosis and management based on the best available evidence from published literature

Endometriosis diagnosis and management based on the best available evidence from published literature By Selma Oransay

ESHRE, "European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology" published a Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis in 2005 and then revised it in 2013. Based on new research and development there was a need to renew the last…

Key Points Lay Summary

A revolutionary view on endometriosis related pain

A revolutionary view on endometriosis related pain By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Lydia Coxon and colleagues from Oxford University, UK, have recently published their cross-sectional study on the categorization of endometriosis-related pain in the journal "Frontiers in Pain Research". As a chronic inflammatory condition, endometriosis results in pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The underlying reason of implantation failure in women with endometriosis-associated infertility

The underlying reason of implantation failure in women with endometriosis-associated infertility By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is most frequently encountered in reproductive-aged women, with a prevalence of 10-15% in the general population. However, endometriosis is more frequently diagnosed in infertile women, with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

A French National Study Concerning The "Recovery Protocol" After Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Surgery.

A French National Study Concerning The By Selma Oransay

In recent years especially for complex surgeries, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been implemented in several surgical specialties. This is based on a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach centered on the patient’s perioperative situation designed to improve patient management and reduce…

Key Points Lay Summary

International Working Group's review on endometriosis classification systems

International Working Group's review on endometriosis classification systems By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

International Endometriosis Working Group including AAGL, ESHRE, ESGE, and WES published a comprehensive review on endometriosis classification, staging, and reporting systems in a recent issue of the journal named "Facts, Views & Vision in Obstetrics and Gynecology". Classification and staging…

Key Points Lay Summary

A novel scoring tool to standardize surgical complexity for gynecologists.

A novel scoring tool to standardize surgical complexity for gynecologists. By Selma Oransay

The field of gynecologic surgery needs a more comprehensive, objective, and reproducible method for assessing and communicating surgical complexity than the current approach. Actually, there is no formal image-based system that allows surgeons to categorize and communicate the complexity of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immunotherapy in endometriosis: a challenging research topic

Immunotherapy in endometriosis: a challenging research topic By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Maksym and associates from academic centers in Poland have published their comprehensive review on endometriosis emphasizing the immunological aspects of the disease in a recent issue of the "Journal of Clinical Medicine". Even though endometriosis is a multifactorial disease,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Algorithm for pain management in endometriosis

Algorithm for pain management in endometriosis By Selma Oransay

One of the debilitating symptoms of endometriosis is pain. Mostly due to delayed diagnosis and the high recurrence rate, even after the surgical and hormonal therapy pain control may not be sufficient causing the patient to suffer for decades.  Endometriosis-associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

A New Non-Invasive Marker for Endometriosis?

A New Non-Invasive Marker for Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

The reactivity of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) with fucose-specific lectins AAL, LCA, and LTA could be a useful diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research. It could also be a clinical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is "non-hormonal therapy" effective in women with endometriosis-associated pain?

Is By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis require effective treatment due to the negative impact of the disease on quality of life. Hormonal treatments including oral contraceptives, and progestins are usually recommended to suppress ovulation and decrease pelvic pain. However, some women do not…

Key Points Lay Summary

A novel approach to a common lesion: mapping adenomyosis by imaging modalities

A novel approach to a common lesion: mapping adenomyosis by imaging modalities By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Habiba from Leicester, UK, and Dr. Benagiano from Rome, Italy, have published their overview on adenomyosis in an attempt to set light on a clinically important topic in a recent issue of the "International Journal of Environmental Research and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The consequences of endometriosis on the quality of life

The consequences of endometriosis on the quality of life By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are pelvic pain and fertility problems, resulting in impairment of quality of life. These women are affected especially during the menstruation period. Olliges et al., from Germany and Switzerland, published a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery for the Treatment of Endometriosis of the Diaphragm and Thorax

Surgery for the Treatment of Endometriosis of the Diaphragm and Thorax By Özge Özkaya

Diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis starts in the abdominal wall of the diaphragm and later invades the thorax, based on findings from a series of patients surgically treated for the disease, reports a study published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diaphragmatic defects, liver herniations and catamenial pneumothorax

Diaphragmatic defects, liver herniations and catamenial pneumothorax By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Arakawa and associates from The Jikei Katsushika Medical Center, Japan, have published their recent case of catamenial pneumothorax with diaphragmatic defect and liver herniation in the "Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery". Catamenial pneumothorax is an uncommon condition with a reported…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diaphragmatic endometriosis

Diaphragmatic endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare clinical condition that may show signs and symptoms like chest pain, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, shoulder pain, pleuritic pain, hemothorax, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, and thoracic endometriosis syndrome while the major part of the patients is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which surgical technique is best for rectal endometriosis?

Which surgical technique is best for rectal endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

One of the common sites for deep endometriosis is the intestines, with a rate of 3-37%. Intestinal endometriosis constitutes a serious cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, and the alteration of the quality of life, with the rectum and sigmoid colon being…

Key Points Lay Summary

Nerve-sparing technique for deep infiltrating endometriosis and its impacts on pelvic organ and sexual functions.

 Nerve-sparing technique for deep infiltrating endometriosis and its impacts on pelvic organ and sexual functions. By Selma Oransay

Deep infiltrating endometriosis and involvement of parametrium cause severe pelvic pain and dysfunction of some pelvic organs resulting in a reduction in women's quality of life. Although surgery for DIE aims to relieve pelvic pain, entering into the posterior parametrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

Effects of Bowel Endometriosis Surgery on Mode of Delivery

Effects of Bowel Endometriosis Surgery on Mode of Delivery By Özge Özkaya

Less than a third of doctors counsel women about the possible effects of surgical treatment of bowel endometriosis on their mode of delivery should they become pregnant, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A comparison of endometriosis Classifications: rASRM, EFI or Enzian?

A comparison of endometriosis Classifications: rASRM, EFI or Enzian? By Selma Oransay

None of the endometriosis classifications provide a clinically valuable system since the very first description of the disease in 1860. One unique terminology to describe the localization and the extension of the disease is needed, which should be the same…

Key Points Lay Summary

Egg or chicken, which is causing bladder symptoms, DIE or surgery for DIE?

Egg or chicken, which is causing bladder symptoms, DIE or surgery for DIE? By Bahar Yuksel

Urinary symptoms could be overwhelming and sometimes could be hidden behind pain symptoms, but still might cause secondary damages on kidneys and bladder if remain undetected. In the prospective study conducted by Laterza et al, the authors questioned whether the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery before in-vitro fertilization – Is it beneficial in patients with deep endometriosis?

Surgery before in-vitro fertilization – Is it beneficial in patients with deep endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Deep pelvic endometriosis is thought to be related to infertility by altering the pelvic environment and anatomy due to pelvic adhesions, and the changes in endometrial receptivity contribute to it. The discussion on whether the surgical intervention was beneficial started…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quality of life assessment in women with endometrioma

Quality of life assessment in women with endometrioma By Eylül GÜN

Like most chronic diseases, endometriosis poses a significant risk of diminishing the quality of life in patients suffering from it, particularly with its most considerable symptom; chronic pelvic pain. Although it is known that endometriosis is more common in East…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pain During Intercourse, What Does it Feel Like?

Pain During Intercourse, What Does it Feel Like? By Özge Özkaya

The presentation, severity, and impact of painful intercourse caused by endometriosis differ between patients, found a new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. According to the authors of the study, these findings are important because they can help…

Key Points Lay Summary

Full understanding the role of nervous system in endometriosis could yield new gateways to novel therapeutic approaches

Full understanding the role of nervous system in endometriosis could yield new gateways to novel therapeutic approaches By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Velho and associates from Berlin, Germany have recently published their comprehensive review on the role of the nervous system in endometriosis in a recent issue of “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. Understanding the role of the peripheral nervous system…

Key Points Lay Summary

Shining like fireflies: a new approach to visualize early endometriosis

Shining like fireflies: a new approach to visualize early endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a complex and unsolved disease that requires animal studies in order to understand its nature. There are a group of animal models designed for endometriosis studies, but most require sacrificing the animal. In the experimental study designed by the team…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is intrauterine insemination effective in women having endometriosis-associated infertility?

Is intrauterine insemination effective in women having endometriosis-associated infertility?  By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common presenting complaints of women with endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably fertility problems. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed to explain endometriosis-associated infertility including anatomic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility Problems and Pregnancy Complications: Are They Coming From the Same Root Theory?

Fertility Problems and Pregnancy Complications: Are They Coming From the Same Root Theory? By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are bad sisters causing not only infertility but also when pregnancy is achieved, complications related to the disease. In the review paper written by Gruber et al, it is described that adenomyosis and endometriosis come from the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The necessity of laparoscopy for unexplained infertility.

The necessity of laparoscopy for unexplained infertility. By Selma Oransay

The standard for accepting a couple as "infertile" is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. When this condition is met, assessing the number of motile sperm in the male partner and certifying the patency at…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Role of Endometrial Cytokines on the Infertility in Endometriosis Patients

The Role of Endometrial Cytokines on the Infertility in Endometriosis Patients By Eylül GÜN

The intrauterine microenvironment and underlying immunological mechanisms in endometriosis pathogenesis have been a popular research topic, mainly due to the efforts to comprehend the reason to elucidate infertility that these patients suffer from. Because of their superiority to other immune…

Key Points Lay Summary

Association of psoriasis and endometriosis

Association of psoriasis and endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by scalpy, red, and well-demarcated skin plaques that are observed in 2-4% of the population. Approximately 30% of psoriatic patients additionally have joint pain, stiffness, and swelling called psoriatic arthritis. The mechanism…

Key Points Lay Summary

How likely is it to get pregnant and have a baby after undergoing surgery for high stage endometriosis?

How likely is it to get pregnant and have a baby after undergoing surgery for high stage endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

As one of the most common causes of infertility in women, endometriosis might be surgically interfered with depending on the stage. For Stage I and II endometriosis, surgery is recommended in the latest guidelines to ameliorate fertility rates, however, there…

Key Points Lay Summary

A rare but important disease: "isolated" endometriosis of the sciatic nerve

A rare but important disease: By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Professor Marc Possover from Zurich, Switzerland has published his 16-year experience of surgical laparoscopic interventions on isolated endometriosis of the sciatic nerve in a recent issue of the official publication of the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy; Facts, Views &…

Key Points Lay Summary

To be or not to be [surgery or hormonal therapies for pain] that’s the question!

To be or not to be [surgery or hormonal therapies for pain] that’s the question! By Bahar Yuksel

Deep infiltrative endometriosis is the most challenging type of endometriosis disease. Surgical management is the one that most surgeons prefer for dealing with, while it requires experience and usually causes complications related to the requirement of difficult operative techniques. Thus,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Physical activity and exercise in reducing endometriosis symptoms

Physical activity and exercise in reducing endometriosis symptoms By Eylül GÜN

The treatment modalities to date on endometriosis have focused on the symptomatic relief and management of chronic pain. Hormonal suppression sometimes shows intolerable side effects and is known to lose effect after some time. Surgical interventions may not provide a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is it iron that calls vessels to form endometriosis

Is it iron that calls vessels to form endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The trigger mechanism of endometriosis formation is still under investigation. But it is clear that there is an iron overload on endometriotic lesions. In the study conducted by Guojing Li et al, the mechanism of iron on endometriosis formation has been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Envorinmental metals harmful for female reproductivity

Envorinmental metals harmful for female reproductivity By Selma Oransay

Heavy metals exposure in a wide range of ways is one of the main causes of increased infertility. According to the 2003 National Health Survey, nearly every pregnant woman in the USA is exposed to at least 43 hazardous chemicals…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pain alone is not a specific predictor for endometriosis diagnosis

Pain alone is not a specific predictor for endometriosis diagnosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common symptoms and signs of women with endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. However, diagnostic delay still occurs due to the broad clinical spectrum of the disease and the absence of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Gordon et…

Key Points Lay Summary

A New Simultaneous Tool to Assess Endometriosis Symptoms

A New Simultaneous Tool to Assess Endometriosis Symptoms By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from the Netherlands developed a new digital tool to assess the symptoms of endometriosis using the experience sampling method. This new method may help overcome the limitations of current questionnaires.  “After validation and testing, future studies will be planned…

Key Points Lay Summary

The quality of life and mental health in endometriosis patients

The quality of life and mental health in endometriosis patients By Eylül GÜN

One of the most important aspects of having a chronic illness comes with its relative effect on the patients’ quality of life and mental health status. Being among the most debilitating diseases in women in the reproductive period, endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Machine learning tools to predict endometriosis

Machine learning tools to predict endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The current gold standard diagnostic method for endometriosis is the surgical diagnosis and yet no approaches have been found to replace it. In the study conducted by Sofiane Bendifallah et al, the authors aimed to use machine learning algorithms to…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Likely Am I to Conceive After Endometriosis Surgery?

How Likely Am I to Conceive After Endometriosis Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

Women with superficial peritoneal endometriosis and just one type of lesion are more likely to conceive after surgery, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics.  This is important because patients will be better…

Key Points Lay Summary

From Spain: execution for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies

From Spain: execution for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies By Selma Oransay

The current conventional therapy for chronic pelvic pain for endometriosis is defined as either hormonal or non-hormonal medical treatment starting with combined oral contraceptives progestins or dienogest, and then gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and/or surgery. Although conventional therapies usually are successful, still…

Key Points Lay Summary

The higher the Endometriosis Fertility Index, the higher the chance of getting pregnant

The higher the Endometriosis Fertility Index, the higher the chance of getting pregnant By Hale Goksever Celik

The women who desire to get pregnant may also suffer from fertility problems depending on several mechanisms such as anatomic distortion, peritoneal adhesions, tubal dysfunction, impaired quality of oocytes, and impaired endometrial receptivity. One of the most important problems in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Importance of Language in Communicating Endometriosis Pain

Importance of Language in Communicating Endometriosis Pain By Özge Özkaya

Language is of great importance for women with endometriosis to communicate their pain to their doctor, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Global Women's Health. The study also found that additional tools are needed to help women…

Key Points Lay Summary

What do endometriosis and ovarian cancer have in common?

What do endometriosis and ovarian cancer have in common? By Bahar Yuksel

While endometriosis is not a malignant disease, it is for sure known that it shares genetic disorders with cancers. In the bioinformatics study applied by Leyi Ni et al, the researchers analyzed the genetic pathways shared by both ovarian cancers…

Key Points Lay Summary

A study design to improve the patient-centeredness in endometriosis care.

A study design to improve the patient-centeredness in endometriosis care. By Selma Oransay

It is well known that endometriosis causes impaired daily activity and productivity along with energy loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, and further, infertility accompanies all these negative influences. The chronic nature of the disease forces clinicians to plan long-term care…

Key Points Lay Summary

An Overview on Treatment of endometriosis

An Overview on Treatment of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

There are different guidelines by different gynecological societies for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, which is an extremely complex illness.  Kalaitzopoulos and Samartzis et al. from Switzerland worked on and compared six national and two international widely used guidelines to…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Endometriosis Clinical Trial Now Recruiting Participants

New Endometriosis Clinical Trial Now Recruiting Participants By Özge Özkaya

A new clinical trial investigating the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on quality of life in patients undergoing surgery for endometriosis is now recruiting participants. The randomized, controlled trial aims to recruit 100 participants, ages 18 to 50 with proven endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which one is more effective for the preservartion of postoperative ovarian reserve?

Which one is more effective for the preservartion of postoperative ovarian reserve? By Selma Oransay

Although cystectomy is the most preferred treatment of endometrioma, it is still a matter of debate as it may cause a reduction in the quality and number of remaining follicles, especially important for women who are planning to conceive. Anti-Müllerian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Placenta praevia and cesarean section more common in patients with ART for Endometriosis

Placenta praevia and cesarean section more common in patients with ART for Endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Even though endometriosis is known to be associated with infertility, these women still have a chance to get pregnant spontaneously or by assisted reproduction techniques (ART) with the aid of recent technological developments. A It has also been shown that…

Key Points Lay Summary

International definition and standardization for endometriosis

International definition and standardization for endometriosis By Selma Oransay

There is huge heterogeneity in classifications, subtypes, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of endometriosis in published literature. The lack of a uniform and widely accepted terminology of the disease rose the necessity to argue and reach a common consensus with organizations,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for prediction of postoperative pregnancy

Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for prediction of postoperative pregnancy By Hale Goksever Celik

Among women with endometriosis, 30 to 50 percent are estimated to have infertility, and 25-50% of infertile patients are found to have endometriosis. Anatomic distortion, diminished tubal peristalsis, diminished sperm movements, dysfunctional folliculogenesis, luteal phase dysfunctions, and alterations in endometrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is it the new gold mine for endometriosis: oral GnRH antagonists

Is it the new gold mine for endometriosis: oral GnRH antagonists By Bahar Yuksel

Progestins and combined oral contraceptive pills are the first step hormonal options for women with endometriosis. But the more the use expands the more cases are seen with resistance to progestins. This gave birth to a need for different therapeutic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antinuclear Antibody May Be Linked to Milder Disease in Endometriosis

Antinuclear Antibody May Be Linked to Milder Disease in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The prevalence of positive antinuclear antibody was 21.2% in women with endometriosis compared to 5.4% in controls, according to a new study published in the journal Human Immunology. Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that bind to the content of the cell…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of an endometriosis survey

Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of an endometriosis survey By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a disease that presents heterogeneously which makes it hard to identify a causal relationship. A patient-based questionnaire called Endometriosis Participant Questionnaire (EPQ) has been originated by The World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project. It…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of hormone therapy after surgical menopause on endometriosis recurrence

The effect of hormone therapy after surgical menopause on endometriosis recurrence By Selma Oransay

Definitive surgery for severe and advanced endometriosis is hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, which may cause vasomotor symptoms, sleep deprivation, mood change, and dyspareunia in the patients. Furthermore, after the surgical removal of the ovaries, the sudden drop in estrogens causes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Life quality improves after colorectal endometriosis operation even when the gastrointestinal symptoms persist

Life quality improves after colorectal endometriosis operation even when the gastrointestinal symptoms persist By Bahar Yuksel

Colorectal endometriosis represents a catastrophic picture for patients, and the treatment mostly requires difficult operative techniques. The life quality improvement ratios are important before deciding on an operation. In the study conducted by Horace Roman et al, the life quality…

Key Points Lay Summary

Environmental factors play a role in the development of endometriosis

Environmental factors play a role in the development of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The proposed mechanisms underlying the development of endometriosis may be classified into three groups: in-situ theory, implantation theories, and induction theories. Genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle-related factors are also involved as no mechanism is solely responsible for endometriosis development. Although there are…

Key Points Lay Summary

The new Endometriosis Surgical Complexity Classification: AAGL 2021

The new Endometriosis Surgical Complexity Classification: AAGL 2021 By Selma Oransay

Multiple endometriosis categorizations have been approved in the recent forty years. The American Fertility Society proposed ASRM with a desire to score the impact of the endometriosis in 1996,  which was updated several times later (rASRM), to predict infertility after laparoscopic operations. For…

Key Points Lay Summary

It is "pain" that causes sleep disturbances and fatigue in endometriosis patients

It is By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis has been studied previously about its effects on quality of life and the possible effects on sleeping periods. The study conducted by Federica Facchin et al. questioned the reason for endometriosis to cause sleep disturbance. The authors have divided…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Cannabis Be Recommended to Manage Endometriosis?

Could Cannabis Be Recommended to Manage Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

It is not possible to recommend cannabis-based products to patients with endometriosis because there is not enough evidence supporting their benefits, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Cannabis-based products have been suggested as…

Key Points Lay Summary

How does adenomyosis affect IVF outcomes?

How does adenomyosis affect IVF outcomes? By Hale Goksever Celik

Adenomyosis is defined as the localization of endometrial tissue in the muscle layer of uterus. Several theories have been proposed to explain the reasons of adenomyosis-associated infertility including uterine dysperistalsis, abnormal transportation of sperm in the uterine cavity, and embryo…

Key Points Lay Summary

Molecular alterations in endometriosis pathogenesis

Molecular alterations in endometriosis pathogenesis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis has been in our lives for decades, however little is known about its pathogenesis making it hard to diagnose and manage. A review study conducted by Balasubramanian et al. from India reveals all the characteristics and the underlying conditions…

Key Points Lay Summary

Phytoestrogens could have promising effects in endometriosis management

Phytoestrogens could have promising effects in endometriosis management By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Bartiromo and associates from Milan, Italy published a systematic review on phytoestrogens and endometriosis in the periodical “Nutrients”. Endometriosis has features of chronic inflammation based on uncontrolled hormonal response and immune-mediated dysfunctions. Estrogens are endocrine and paracrine agents that could yield…

Key Points Lay Summary

Complex Relation Between Body mass index and endometriosis

Complex Relation Between Body mass index and endometriosis By Selma Oransay

This research aimed to find the relationship between BMI and endometriosis especially related to surgical phenotype and lesion location. An observational cohort study was led by  Holdsworth-Carson et al, from Australia. The article was recently published in "RBMO" . Many earlier studies report…

Key Points Lay Summary

Urinary Function Alterations after Surgery for Deep Endometriosis.

Urinary Function Alterations after Surgery for Deep Endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Laparoscopic surgery is a mainstay therapy for symptomatic patients with DE. Although our findings of improvement in many domains of urinary function are encouraging, postoperative deterioration in urinary function was found for patients with initial normal function. More research is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Resveratrol for endometriosis

Resveratrol for endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis has been studied previously about its inflammatory nature and its tendency for causing macrophage disfunction. In the study conducted by Chunyan Wang et al, the researchers analyzed the effect of a flavonoid, "resveratrol" on endometriosis lesions and the mechanism…

Key Points Lay Summary

The comparison of the effect of hemostatic techniques on ovarian reserve during endometrioma cystectomy

The comparison of the effect of hemostatic techniques on ovarian reserve during endometrioma cystectomy By Hale Goksever Celik

The possible negative effect of the surgical excision of endometriomas on the ovarian reserve has brought up the meticulous implementation of the decision for surgical approach. Dr. Raquel Silveria da Cunha Araujo et al, from Brazil, published a study titled as…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cancer

Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cancer By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a locally aggressive and chronic inflammatory disease and it is now known that with various genetic pathways it creates susceptibility to certain cancers, the most common being ovarian cancer. Pelvic inflammatory disease on the other hand creates a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Increases the Risk of Premature Labor Study Reports

Endometriosis Increases the Risk of Premature Labor Study Reports By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis who conceive naturally are at a high risk of giving birth prematurely and having their baby admitted to neonatal intensive care unit, compared to women without the disease, according to the results of a clinical study. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Persistence of Chronic Pelvic Pain after Hysterectomy

Persistence of Chronic Pelvic Pain after Hysterectomy By Hale Goksever Celik

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as the "pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer". There are several gynecological, urological, and gastrointestinal reasons for the development of chronic pelvic pain. Nociceptive pain or central sensitization is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes in Women with and without Endometriosis

Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes in Women with and without Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis causes infertility in one-third of patients, while in approximately 25-35% of infertile women, the cause is endometriosis.  The primary interest and the question of Moss et al. from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia was "the differences in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis and Links with Endometrial Cancer

Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis and Links with Endometrial Cancer By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Professor Terzic and colleagues from the Medical School of Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan published their review on the molecular aspects of endometriosis and endometrial cancer in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. The etiopathogenesis of endometriosis has remained controversial, with recent studies…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to Reduce Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery

How to Reduce Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery By Özge Özkaya

Using humidified warm gas with forced-air warming blanket during laparoscopic surgery resulted in significantly less pain in the recovery room, according to a new study published in the journal "Surgical Endoscopy". In patients with endometriosis, using humidified warm air even…

Key Points Lay Summary

Routine preoperative ureteral stent and complications in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Routine preoperative ureteral stent and complications in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Deep infiltrative endometriosis is a devastating disease that includes both anterior and posterior compartments, and ureteral infiltration with endometriotic nodules affects 1 to 6% of all deep infiltrative endometriosis patients. In the study conducted by Giulia Borghese et al., the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does Delivery Mode Affect the Ovarian Reserve?

Does Delivery Mode Affect the Ovarian Reserve? By Selma Oransay

Mohr-Sasson et al. from Sheba Medical Center, Israel,  performed a prospective case-control study to assess whether ovarian reserve decreases after cesarian delivery. The study included only women with singleton pregnancies and the change in ovarian reserve after vaginal or cesarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of surgery before IVF in infertile women with endometrioma

Impact of surgery before IVF in infertile women with endometrioma By Hale Goksever Celik

Among the women with endometriosis, 30 to 50% are estimated to have infertility. On the contrary, among women who present with infertility, 25 to 50% are estimated to also have endometriosis. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the association…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian cancer risk in endometriosis and adenomyosis

Ovarian cancer risk in endometriosis and adenomyosis By Eylül GÜN

Through the historical development of the nomenclature for endometriotic tissue found inside and/or outside the uterus, many terminologies have been used. The accepted terminology is still the one introduced by Sampson: “Endometriosis”. “Adenomyosis” also known as “endometriosis interna” which is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Uterine cancer risk in "endometriosis" and "adenomyosis"

Uterine cancer risk in By Selma Oransay

Adenomyosis and endometriosis share similar characteristics, and endometriosis is reported to have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, the risk of uterine cancer is not clear yet. Hermens and colleagues from Catharina Hospital, from the Netherlands, designed a population-based…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endogenous cannabinoids are related to endometriosis pain

Endogenous cannabinoids are related to endometriosis pain By Eylül GÜN

Pain, specifically dysmenorrhea is the most important symptom of endometriosis. Prostaglandins are the main director of the pain process in dysmenorrhea, therefore the mechanisms affecting the prostaglandin metabolism have been studied in order to find a treatment for pain, and found that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Dienogest treatment increases the risk of Endometriosis reoperation rate

Dienogest treatment increases the risk of Endometriosis reoperation rate By Selma Oransay

The common and accepted therapy of endometriosis is surgery, however medical treatment such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, oral contraceptives and oral progestins are used for either relieving pain or to prevent recurrences and reoperation. Due to bone loss and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Body Mass Index and indicators of metabolic syndrome in women with Endometriosis

Body Mass Index and indicators of metabolic syndrome in women with Endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease of reproductive-aged women and has common pathophysiological mechanisms with other chronic health morbidities due to its estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory background. The changes in the inflammatory components of adipose tissue may have an impact on the quality of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Best practice: How to reduce intraoperative bleeding?

Best practice: How to reduce intraoperative bleeding? By Selma Oransay

Although laparoscopic hysterectomy is a popular and common approach for removing benign uterine lesions, some technical steps especially concerning uterine artery closure depend on the surgeon's preference. Uterine artery ligation may be performed either at the uterus level, which is common…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new "survey-based" endometriosis diagnostic tool

A new By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a disease that is diagnosed years after its appearance which causes life quality impairment to patients. It is crucial for the patient to find out the probability of the presence of endometriosis, for applying to healthcare providers before…

Key Points Lay Summary

Catching endometriosis from the front line: educating general practitioners

Catching endometriosis from the front line: educating general practitioners By Bahar Yuksel

It should be repetitively pronounced that "endometriosis is very common and it is very important to diagnose it as soon as possible before it causes lifelong damage to women’s lives". The sooner the better concerning the diagnosis, and this is…

Key Points Lay Summary

A rare complication of  endometriosis

A rare complication of  endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Morales et al. from the Monterrey School of Medicine, Mexico, reported a case of bowel intussusception in a woman with severe endometriosis to draw attention to this very rare endometriosis complication. The case is a 27 years old young female…

Key Points Lay Summary

Research Identifies New Genes That Could Be Targeted to Treat Endometriosis

Research Identifies New Genes That Could Be Targeted to Treat Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Researchers identified three new genes that could help understand the invasiveness of endometriosis. They also identified one new gene that could be related to the recurrence of the disease. These genes may potentially be new therapeutic targets for endometriosis. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

Awareness is the first step toward endometriosis treatment

Awareness is the first step toward endometriosis treatment By Dr. Youngran Park

We want to reiterate the importance of endometriosis, by handling the paper entitled "Endometriosis awareness: screaming at the top of our voices" published on April 2021 in the journal “Women & Health”. The Endometriosis Awareness Month of 2021 was a little different,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The incidence of endometriosis may vary over time according to age, period and cohort

The incidence of endometriosis may vary over time according to age, period and cohort By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Early diagnosis has importance as endometriosis impairs the quality of life of patients and creates a serious social and economic burden. Fortunately, earlier diagnosis and management of endometriosis becomes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian Cancer Survival in the presence of Endometriosis

Ovarian Cancer Survival in the presence of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Women with ovarian cancer and histologically proven endometriosis have longer overall survival compared to those with ovarian cancer but no endometriosis, found a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.  “[…] Women diagnosed as having ovarian cancer…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma post-surgical-recurrence risk factors

Endometrioma post-surgical-recurrence risk factors By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Jiang and associates from Dailan Medical University, China published their review manuscript “Risk factors for ovarian endometrioma recurrence following surgical excision: a systematic review and meta‑analysis” in the June 2021 issue of "Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics". The most common form of endometriosis, "ovarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-invasive Construction of Endometrial Organoids

Non-invasive Construction of Endometrial Organoids By Eylül GÜN

Organoids are 3D culture structures established in vitro and they reflect the aspects of the tissue or the organ they represent. They are seen as important tools in the evaluation of normal development, disease course, and the prediction of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal Ultrasound Accuracy for Uterosacral Ligament, Torus Uterinus and Posterior Fornix Endometriosis

Transvaginal Ultrasound Accuracy for Uterosacral Ligament, Torus Uterinus and Posterior Fornix Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of deep endometriosis depends on the location. The sensitivity is up to 80% when the lesion is in the rectosigmoid, but it decreases up to 66% for the detection of posterior vaginal…

Key Points Lay Summary

The clues for pain and infertility in endometriosis/adenomyosis complex

The clues for pain and infertility in endometriosis/adenomyosis complex By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Drs. Gruber and Mechsner from Charite University-Berlin, Germany published their comprehensive review on pathophysiological background of endometriosis and adenomyosis in the scientific periodical “Cells”. Chronic pain and fertility problems are the main clinical issue in endometriosis and adenomyosis patients. In order to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Technical Facts for the Prevention of Complications After Deep Endometriosis Surgery

Technical Facts for the Prevention of Complications After Deep Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

There are no differences in the risk of rectovaginal fistula in women with rectovaginal endometriosis who were managed by a liberal or restrictive policy of preventive stoma according to a study by French researchers published in the Journal of Minimally…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to measure the length of recto-sigmoid deep endometriosis reliably?

How to measure the length of recto-sigmoid deep endometriosis reliably? By Eylül GÜN

An in-depth assessment is needed when rectosigmoid deep endometriosis is decided to be treated surgically. Surgery carries a lot of risks and it is not always easy to decide which procedure the patient would benefit the most from. Patient-oriented surgical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring a bonafide biomarker to predict endometriosis

Exploring a bonafide biomarker to predict endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a complex disease affecting many women in the reproductive age group. As it is important to figure out the mechanisms responsible for the disease, it is also crucial to identify biomarkers that can be used in the diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Promising therapeutic results in experimental endometriosis model

Promising therapeutic results in experimental endometriosis model By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Tiziana Genovese and associates from Italian academic centers reported their pioneering findings in an experimental model of endometriosis administering an anti-tumor agent and glucocorticoid combination, published in the scientific periodical “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. Endometriosis is a worldwide common disease…

Key Points Lay Summary

It is not that simple: endometriomas are almost never alone

It is not that simple: endometriomas are almost never alone By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriomas are the widely and easily diagnosed type of endometriosis. They are usually treated by gynecologic surgeons and are thought to be alone most of the time. The study conducted by Piriyev et al highlighted the coexistence of extraovarian endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is the presence of nerve fibers in the endometrium associated with endometriosis?

Is the presence of nerve fibers in the endometrium associated with endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a common disease in reproductive women and diagnostic imaging have a limited role in its diagnosis. The gold standard diagnostic method remains to be the histopathological examination of the tissue obtained via laparoscopy. One of its most common…

Key Points Lay Summary

Resveratrol, isoflavones and puerarin have favorable in vivo results in endometriosis studies

Resveratrol, isoflavones and puerarin have favorable in vivo results in endometriosis studies By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Xia Cai and associates from research units located in China published their review article on the relationship between phytoestrogens and endometriosis in the scientific periodical named “Pharmacology”. The great variation in the prevalence of endometriosis raises questions in regard to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adenomyosis, fertility, and obstetric outcomes

Adenomyosis, fertility, and obstetric outcomes By Hale Goksever Celik

Adenomyosis is the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells within the myometrial wall. Although magnetic resonance imaging has a higher ability to discriminate and identify adenomyosis, transvaginal ultrasonography is a cheaper, more accessible, and practical method in daily clinical practice for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative Opioid use after Robotic operations for endometriosis, compared to non-endometriosis

Postoperative Opioid use after Robotic operations for endometriosis, compared to non-endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a common disease in patients of fertile age, and many patients require surgery. Robotic surgery is accepted as a minimally invasive method in the management of endometriosis and other benign conditions. However, postoperative pain status and the best pain…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ureteral endometriosis and its management

Ureteral endometriosis and its management By Eylül GÜN

Urinary tract endometriosis prevalence is hard to determine since almost half of the women with this condition appear asymptomatic. The most common form is bladder endometriosis followed by ureteral endometriosis which is seen more rarely. Ureteral endometriosis is usually located…

Key Points Lay Summary

Analyses of the main classification systems of endometriosis in terms of utrasound, MRI and surgery

Analyses of the main classification systems of endometriosis in terms of utrasound, MRI and surgery By Selma Oransay

Several classifications made by gynecologists, image readers, and radiologists lead to confusion while describing the situation and estimating the progress of endometriosis. Daniela Fischerova team from the Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic, analyzed the main classifications of endometriosis in three…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does exercise have an effect on pain perception in women with endometriosis?

Does exercise have an effect on pain perception in women with endometriosis? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease causing pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and also infertility. Several medical and surgical treatment options have been developed to improve quality of life of these women. Despite extensive research, the optimal…

Key Points Lay Summary

MicroRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility

MicroRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility By Eylül GÜN

The gold standard in the diagnosis of endometriosis is laparoscopy and histopathological diagnosis, however search for a non-invasive method has been ongoing. Some biomarkers such as Cancer Antigen 125 have been thought to be useful, but because of their low…

Key Points Lay Summary

A hot research topic: macrophage reprogramming for endometriosis treatment

A hot research topic: macrophage reprogramming for endometriosis treatment By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

 Daria Artemova and colleagues from several research institutes of the Russian Federation have published their review on the cellular aspects of endometriosis related to macrophages, particularly emphasizing  promising therapeutic options for the future in "International Journal of Molecular Sciences". Macrophages have…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Severity of Pain Does not Predict Endometriosis or its Stage, Study Confirms

The Severity of Pain Does not Predict Endometriosis or its Stage, Study Confirms By Özge Özkaya

The intensity of pain a woman experiences could predict whether or not she would undergo laparoscopic surgery. However, it could not predict whether she has endometriosis or in case she did, the severity of her disease. This is according to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Predictors for achieving pregnancy in patients with adenomyosis and endometriosis

Predictors for achieving pregnancy in patients with adenomyosis and endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Adenomyosis and endometriosis are benign conditions, however, both situations are associated with deterioration of life quality, a requirement of hospital administrations, and infertility. Laparoscopic surgery is the main treatment option especially for women who desire pregnancy. Shi and colleagues aimed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery

Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery By Selma Oransay

The prevalence of endometriosis is up to 35-50% among patients with pelvic pain. Among several medical and surgical options to relieve chronic pelvic pain, surgical options are the preferred method but this depends on patients' age, fertility desire, and disease…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative ovulation induction in infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis

Postoperative ovulation induction in infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is an important problem that is encountered in 30-50% of women with endometriosis. Several etiopathogenetic mechanisms for the development of reproductive problems in women with endometriosis have been proposed including abnormal peritoneal microenvironment, ovarian dysfunction and/or decreased oocyte quality,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ultrasonographic signs of adenomyosis, surgery and infertility in endometriosis patients

Ultrasonographic signs of adenomyosis, surgery and infertility in endometriosis patients By Bahar Yuksel

Adenomyosis is simply defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the uterine myometrium and is related to severe menstrual bleeding, pain, and infertility. Previous reports demonstrated the coexisting of endometriosis and adenomyosis is common. In the present…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combined contraceptive pills and immune system cells in the endometriotic cyst wall

Combined contraceptive pills and immune system cells in the endometriotic cyst wall By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Wanwisa Waiyaput and associates from Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, have published their results on the immune regulatory cells of the surgically resected endometriotic cyst walls in the “Journal of Ovarian Research”. The defective immune response is believed to have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adhesion Barrier Helps After Endometriosis Surgery

Adhesion Barrier Helps After Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

An adhesion barrier, named "4DryField® PH" significantly reduced the formation of adhesions following endometriosis surgery, according to a new study by German scientists.  The formation of adhesions following endometriosis surgery is a severe problem that affects 90% of patients. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Managing Persistent Pelvic Pain in a distinct "pain" clinic

Managing Persistent Pelvic Pain in a distinct By Selma Oransay

Persistent pelvic pain is an important problem producing physiological stress and productivity loss during the reproductive period of women. A specific pelvic pain clinic named "Mater Health Persistent Pelvic Pain Clinic" was established in 2017 in a part of the emergency…

Key Points Lay Summary

Retinol-binding protein in endometriosis pathogenesis

Retinol-binding protein in endometriosis  pathogenesis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Jae Chul Lee and associates from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, have published the recent results of their research on endometriosis regarding the role of retinol-binding protein4…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Surgical Management of Endometriosis of the Ureter and Bladder

The Surgical Management of Endometriosis of the Ureter and Bladder By Özge Özkaya

Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe to manage endometriosis of the ureter and bladder, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. According to the authors of the study, ureteral resection is more strongly associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors affecting complications and the recurrence of operated deep infiltrating endometriosis

Factors affecting complications and the recurrence of operated deep infiltrating endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is classified as penetrating the endometrial tissues more than 5 mm deep on the peritoneal surface, mainly uterosacral ligament, rectovaginal septum, ovarian fossa, pelvic peritoneum, bowels, ureters, and bladder. Treatment of the disease depends on the need…

Key Points Lay Summary

The higher the cyst fluid iron concentration, the more severe the pain symptom for endometrioma

The higher the cyst fluid iron concentration, the more severe the pain symptom for endometrioma By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis usually is encountered in three different forms: superficial peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian cysts (endometrioma) and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Endometrioma can be identified as cystic lesions consisting of dark brown endometrial fluid and are sometimes referred to as "chocolate cysts." The presence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Patient- centeredness in endometriosis

Patient- centeredness in endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is common in fertile age, and women with endometriosis are suffering from serious symptoms including pelvic discomfort, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Due to resemblances of endometriosis symptoms with other diseases, most endometriosis patients are faced with delays in diagnosis. To…

Key Points Lay Summary

Peritoneal Pockets and Endometriosis

Peritoneal Pockets and Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Infertile women with peritoneal pockets had more endometriosis compared to women without pockets according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. Severe pelvic pain was also associated with the presence of pockets and the presence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vulvo- Perineal Endometriosis: From diagnosis to treatment

Vulvo- Perineal Endometriosis: From diagnosis to treatment By Bahar Yuksel

Vulvo- Perineal endometriosis is a very rare condition that should be kept in mind to be diagnosed and treated. Due to its very rare occurrence, most of the information in the literature on vulvo-perineal endometriosis is based on case reports…

Key Points Lay Summary

The need for the standardization of diagnostic protocols for "adenomyosis"

The need for the standardization of diagnostic protocols for By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Squillace and associates from Brasilian Academic and Health Centers published their paper titled “Adenomyosis and in vitro fertilization impacts- a literature review” in a recent issue of "JBRA Assisted Reproduction". As common gynecological ailment adenomyosis frequently coexists with endometriosis.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis scar disruption may lead to "spontaneous hemorrhage in pregnancy" and can be life-threatening.

Endometriosis scar disruption may lead to By Selma Oransay

Kollikonda et al from Cleveland Clinic Women's Health Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, US penned a case report about their hemoperitoneum experience during labor, which was recently published in the "Journal of Obstetrics and Gyneaecology Canada". The aim is to warn obstetricians…

Key Points Lay Summary

Low-Dose Aspirin as a Potential Treatment for Endometriosis-Related Infertility

Low-Dose Aspirin as a Potential Treatment for Endometriosis-Related Infertility By Özge Özkaya

Treatment with low-dose aspirin could downregulate progesterone resistance and increase the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) during the implantation window, according to a study that used a rat model of endometriosis. This, in turn, could improve endometrial receptivity and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The genomic linkage between ovarian cancer and endometriosis

The genomic linkage between ovarian cancer and endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis has been proven to be the precursor of ovarian clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas, however, it is not well understood why and how endometriosis goes into malignant transformation.  To address this issue, in their review article, Dr. Yachida and…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to predict the complications after laparoscopic bowel resection in women with endometriosis

How to predict the complications after laparoscopic bowel resection in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The endometriotic lesions infiltrating the bowel wall more than 5 mm. are called "deep infiltrating endometriosis". The patients having bowel involvement may have constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus, or rectal bleeding. Surgical management is the main treatment modality to provide benefits on pain, infertility,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis from the "EVOLUTIONARY" point of view

Endometriosis from the By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Natalie Dinsdale and associates from the Canadian Simon Fraser University Department of Biological Sciences published a critical review titled “ The evolutionary biology of endometriosis” in a recent issue of the journal “Evolution, medicine and public health”. This review focuses…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Communication Gap Between Specialists for Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management

The Communication Gap Between Specialists for Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management By Eylül GÜN

An approach to help the different specialties which work as a team but lack sufficient communication in endometriosis management build better communication was proposed by Leonardi et al. from Australia and Canada in their opinion article which was published in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Evaluation of preoperative risk factors of ureteral endometriosis

Evaluation of preoperative risk factors of ureteral endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis affects the urinary tract in 1% to 5.5% of the patients, and among them, bladder involvement is 70-85%, while ureteral involvement alone is 9% to 23%.  Ureteral endometriosis is most commonly unilateral, especially on the left side, usually affecting…

Key Points Lay Summary

Promising potential research topic: diagnostic biomarkers for endometriosis

Promising potential research topic: diagnostic biomarkers for endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Toczek and collegues from the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, have  published a review paper on possible diagnostic aid of cytokines in endometriosis. This review appears in May issue…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Surgery Improves Sex Life

Endometriosis Surgery Improves Sex Life By Özge Özkaya

Women who underwent laparoscopic resection surgery to treat their deep infiltrating endometriosis had improved sexual quality of life and health-related quality of life according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. These findings are important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells are gaining importance in endometriosis

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells are gaining importance in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Wertel and associates from Polish academic centers published their sentimental review paper on the role of "Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells" in human diseases, in a recent issue of  Cells. Endometriosis, the most common gynecological disease affecting about 10% of women globally,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative infertility management using Endometriosis Fertility Index in endometriotic women

Postoperative infertility management using Endometriosis Fertility Index in endometriotic women By Selma Oransay

"Endometriosis Fertility Index '' score, described by the World Endometriosis Society in 2017, is a robust score and assists to predict the spontaneous pregnancy rate of women with endometriosis, within 3 years after their operation. Its calculation is possible by patient…

Key Points Lay Summary

Progestin suppression for endometriosis before IVF

Progestin suppression for endometriosis before IVF By Hale Goksever Celik

“Dienogest is a suitable and safe substitute for GnRHa pretreatment in endometriosis patients”, according to the Khalifa et al., from Egypt. Endometriosis is one of the leading reasons for infertility due to decreased oocyte/embryo quality, fertilizability, tubal function, and aberrant endometrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

What Happens to Endometriosis Patients After Endometriosis Surgery?

What Happens to Endometriosis Patients After Endometriosis Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

Although few patients with endometriosis who undergo a hysterectomy need repeat surgery, up to 25% of them need minor surgery. Around 20% of patients who undergo conservative surgery with ovarian preservation require additional endometriosis surgery. Up to one in three…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in intestine! Segmental resection or linear nodulectomy?

Endometriosis in intestine! Segmental resection or linear nodulectomy? By Bahar Yuksel

Intestinal involvement of endometriosis is common, and the incidence was defined between 45-56%. Previous studies investigating the role of surgery in the management of intestinal endometriosis reported improvement of life quality in up to 95% of cases following surgery. However,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Optimal management of infertility in endometriosis patients

Optimal management of infertility in endometriosis patients By Hale Goksever Celik

Pelvic pain and infertility are the main symptoms of endometriosis patients. Although the pathophysiological mechanism for infertility is not clearly understood, there are several theories explaining decreased fertility potential in women with endometriosis. Ata and Telek, from Koc and Istanbul Universities…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association of chronic endometritis, endometriosis and tubal infertility

The association of chronic endometritis, endometriosis and tubal infertility By Selma Oransay

Holzer et al. from the Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine of  Medical University of Vienna, Austria, set up apilot prospective cohort study to evaluate the relationship between chronic endometritis, infertility and endometriosis. The results of the study were recently…

Key Points Lay Summary

A gentle touch on nerves affects dyspareunia

A gentle touch on nerves affects dyspareunia By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a common disorder among women. Previous studies reported endometriosis-related deterioration of the quality of life. Deep dyspareunia is a common symptom of endometriosis and young patients face dyspareunia twice as much. Surgical treatments are alternative to medical therapies in cases…

Key Points Lay Summary

Improvement of the quality of life after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis.

Improvement of the quality of life after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Deeply infiltrating endometriosis is the most severe form among the endometriosis types. The required laparoscopic approach is the appropriate excision of endometriotic foci from pelvis, by consideration of failure and side effects of the medical treatments. The specialist endometriosis centers…

Key Points Lay Summary

Targeting Endometriosis From a Different Angle

Targeting Endometriosis From a Different Angle By Özge Özkaya

Dopamine agonists could help reduce the size of endometriosis lesions and minimize pain, while maintaining ovulation, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction. This constitutes a completely different approach in targeting endometriosis according to Dr.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Problems in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis

Problems in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is very aggressive in nature with infiltrating the whole pelvic, colon, rectum, bladder, ureter, and pelvic wall. D’Alterio and colleagues analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of both medical and surgical therapies for DIE. The authors…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative long-term estro-progestin therapy for endometrioma

Postoperative long-term estro-progestin therapy for endometrioma By Selma Oransay

After the removal of ovarian endometriomas, the major concern is the high recurrence rate of symptoms and endometriotic cysts. The estimated recurrence rate of endometriomas is up to 50% at 5 years after surgery. To prevent the recurrence, postoperatively long-term…

Key Points Lay Summary

Autophagy, Endometrium and Endometriosis

Autophagy, Endometrium and Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Autophagy, or autophagocytosis, is a self-digestion process by which cells recycle non-functional proteins to repurpose them. Unwanted cellular parts in cytosolic material are first isolated within double-membrane vesicles called the autophagosome, which subsequently fuses with the acidic lysosome. Autophagy is a survival…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis in adolescents and adults

Immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis in adolescents and adults By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common presenting complaints of endometriosis are mainly pelvic pain and infertility, commonly in relation to the menstrual period. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms. Immunologic diseases such as autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases, allergies, asthma, previous mononucleosis infection,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Testosterone levels effect embryo implantation rates in patients with endometriosis

Testosterone levels effect embryo implantation rates in patients with endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is associated with infertility either causing poor oocyte and embryo qualities or poor endometrial receptivity. The effect of androgen levels on IVF outcomes has been described earlier, but the present study conducted by Ling Huang et assocates is the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles of endometriosis.

Fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis affects the pelvic cavity, uterus, ovaries and causes impaired fertility as a result. The chronic inflammatory nature of this disease negatively impacts the oocyte quality, maturation, and fertilization. Obviously, fewer oocytes can be harvested in the IVF cycles of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can we measure the severity of endometriosis?

Can we measure the severity of endometriosis? By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease associated with serious morbidity and change in the quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no specific test for the diagnosis of endometriosis. While many markers were evaluated in many research studies for the noninvasive diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative treatment and pregnancy points to decreased recurrence risk for ovarian endometriosis

Postoperative treatment and pregnancy points to decreased recurrence risk for ovarian endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease most frequently diagnosed in women of reproductive age and negatively affects the quality of life. The most common localization for endometriosis is ovaries with a prevalence of 17-44%. Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy performed as excision or ablation…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis, ART, fertility preservation

Endometriosis, ART, fertility preservation By Selma Oransay

This review entitled "The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: role of fertility preservation" was written by Necula et al. from Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Biel, Switzerland, and recently published in the journal "Hormone, Molecular Biology and Clinical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Erastin, Ferroptosis and Endometriosis

Erastin, Ferroptosis and Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Iron overload has been linked to endometriosis. There are abundant free iron and high oxidation in ectopic lesions, probably due to retrograde menstruation. Interestingly, iron overload in endometriosis activates NF-kB signaling and results in proinflammatory communication. More clear pieces of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cancer, is that a real risk?

Cancer, is that a real risk? By Yu Yu

Endometriosis is non-malignant but shares some similar features with cancer, such as the occurrence of local and distant foci, the ability to resist cell death, and the ability to invade other tissues, causing damage to the organs. Endometriosis also generates…

Key Points Lay Summary

Controlled use of bipolar cauterization as an alternative to endometrioma cystectomy

Controlled use of bipolar cauterization as an alternative to endometrioma cystectomy By Hale Goksever Celik

The main symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Ablation or coagulation of the cyst wall following laparoscopic drainage of endometrioma may be an alternative treatment for patients with pregnancy intention. Carbon dioxide, laser, and plasma energy…

Key Points Lay Summary

Current research on adenomyosis tissues with immunohistochemistry reveal novel findings

Current research on adenomyosis tissues with immunohistochemistry reveal novel findings By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Xiaofang Xu and associates from Fudan University, China have recently published their research on adenomyosis-related research results in "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology". Adenomyosis is a benign gynecological condition, prevalent worldwide that is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissues in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Perineal Endometriosis, How Soon Does it Return After Surgery?

Perineal Endometriosis, How Soon Does it Return After Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

The higher the body mass index (BMI) of a woman during delivery and within one month after delivery, the quicker the symptoms of perineal endometriosis return. This is according to a recent study that appeared in the World Journal of…

Key Points Lay Summary

The influence of endometrioma and surgery on ovarian reserve

The influence of endometrioma and surgery on ovarian reserve By Dr. Youngran Park

Women with endometriosis and endometrioma, often have subfertility. These patients present considerable problems for the evaluation of ovarian reserve. One of the well-known ovarian reserve biomarkers is anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. So far, it was known that the reduction of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Selected Blood Inflammatory Biomarkers May Help Identify Endometriosis

Selected Blood Inflammatory Biomarkers May Help Identify Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood differ between women with endometriosis and those without the disease. Levels of some biomarkers also differ according to the stage of endometriosis. This is according to a new study by Polish scientists published…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and possible cardiovascular outcomes

Endometriosis and possible cardiovascular outcomes By Selma Oransay

A retrospective population-based cohort study from the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the UK, investigated the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of women with endometriosis. The study included 279,759 women in total, 20,1% (>56.000) were patients with surgically…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effects of endometriosis on life satisfaction.

The effects of endometriosis on life satisfaction. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is well-known for its debilitating effects on women suffering from it. In the review conducted by Masoumeh Namazi et al, the authors have collected studies searching for the wellbeing of women with endometriosis. They have analyzed 46 studies that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrial receptivity after the removal of ovarian endometriotic cysts

Endometrial receptivity after the removal of ovarian endometriotic cysts By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Mikhaleva and associates from the "Russian Research Institute of Human Morphology" published their results in “Reproductive Sciences” yielding their novel morphological findings of eutopic endometria in patients following surgical excision of endometriotic ovarian cysts. Current therapeutic measures are targeting to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Environmental to occupational exposure, and possible risk factors for endometriosis.

Environmental to occupational exposure, and possible risk factors for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Many objects in daily use are made of plasticizing agents. Studies suggest that chronic exposure to these agents are toxic to reproductive organs and cause metabolic disorders. For example, diethyl phthalate is still in use in cosmetic products.  Caporossi et…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impaired fertility potential in endometriosis patients

Impaired fertility potential in endometriosis patients By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis and sperm movements. Garcia-Fernandez and García-Velasco, from Edinburgh, UK and Madrid, Spain, published a mini-review titled “Endometriosis and Reproduction: What We Have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) has a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis

Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) has a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Wan-Ning Li and associates from academic institutions from Taiwan have published their review paper on the role of hypoxia and possible therapeutic outcomes in the medical journal named "Reproduction" recently.  Endometriosis is an important ailment with huge medical and social…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the risk of Systemic lupus Erythematosus: A report from Taiwan

Endometriosis and the risk of Systemic lupus Erythematosus: A report from Taiwan By Selma Oransay

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage that affects mostly women, with an M:F ratio of 1:9. Recent evidence has also shown that endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

The incidence of endometriosis and pelvic pain in transgender man

The incidence of endometriosis and pelvic pain in transgender man By Bahar Yuksel

Transgender operations are quite common all around the world and hysterectomies are performed almost 1 in 5 of this population. The studies conducted until now mostly evaluated operative and postoperative outcomes, but the present research also questioned the preoperative symptoms and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Do Adolescents Know About Endometriosis?

Do Adolescents Know About Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Most secondary school girls have painful periods and many of them don’t know what typical periods are like, according to a study published in the "Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology".  The majority of the girls do not have knowledge…

Key Points Lay Summary

"Complement" of immune system and endometriosis therapeutics

By Yu Yu

The complement system is part of the body’s immune system, and plays integral roles in the recognition and clearance of pathogens, apoptotic and necrotic cells. It is composed of over 50 proteins with soluble activation precursor components, regulators and cell…

Key Points Lay Summary

Nanomedicines for Endometriosis

Nanomedicines for Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Scientific research on nanoparticles is intense as they have many potential applications in medicine. Nanomaterials have been widely explored for imaging and treatment of various diseases, especially cancer, over the recent twenty years.  The absence of non-invasive diagnostic tests and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The improvement of fertility rate and symptoms of superficial endometriosis following laparoscopic peritoneal stripping

The improvement of fertility rate and symptoms of superficial endometriosis following laparoscopic peritoneal stripping By Selma Oransay

Pain, in the form of diverse entities, including dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, is the main symptom of endometriosis patients. The severity of pain is independent of the extent and the location of the disease, and generally causes a negative impact on…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cancer risk Evaluation in Korean Endometriosis Cohort

Cancer risk Evaluation in Korean Endometriosis Cohort By Bahar Yuksel

The relationship between endometriosis and cancer has always been challenging. The previous studies revealed an increased risk in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers regarding the alterations in cancerogenic genes or by the effect of iron and hem coming with retrograde menstruation and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antioxidant therapy for the endometriosis pain

Antioxidant therapy for the endometriosis pain By Selma Oransay

Ts the protective defense mechanism of cells, hence the destruction of balance between oxidants and antioxidants in our body is called "redox imbalance".  The major oxidants are reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are involved in multiple cellular processes by physiologically…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer coexisting with endometriosis.

Ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer coexisting with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

The invasive nature of endometriosis results in calling the disease " benign cancer". The transformation of endometriosis to malignancy is rare, but when compared to the general population, the relative risk of developing ovarian cancer is 4.2 times greater especially…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of hormonal treatment after endometriosis surgery

The role of hormonal treatment after endometriosis surgery By Bahar Yuksel

Postoperative hormonal suppression after endometriosis surgery still does not have a uniform approach. The meta-analysis study conducted by Zakhari et al. aimed to find a significant answer regarding this burden. They analyzed the database systems including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL,…

Key Points Lay Summary

"Speckle sign": a novel transvaginal ultrasound finding for posterior compartment endometriosis

By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Balcacer and associates from three medical institutions located in the USA report the results of their retrospective study on deep infiltrating endometriosis utilizing transvaginal ultrasound examination and the proposed  “speckle sign” in the "Journal of Ultrasound Medicine". Pelvic ultrasound…

Key Points Lay Summary

Oxidative stress, reactive products, detoxification, endometriosis and pain

Oxidative stress, reactive products, detoxification, endometriosis and pain  By Ellen Tumimbang

Oxidative stress is one factor known to be involved in the pathogenesis, progression, and establishment of endometriosis in women.   During oxidative stress, excess reactive oxygen species as a secondary by-product of lipid peroxidation and reactive aldehyde including 4- hydroxynonenal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Live Birth Rate in Women Who Underwent Fresh Embryo Transfer Using Freshly Retrieved Donor Oocytes

Live Birth Rate in Women Who Underwent Fresh Embryo Transfer Using Freshly Retrieved Donor Oocytes By Hale Goksever Celik

One of the important clinical findings in women with endometriosis is reproductive problems. Infertility can be encountered in up to 50% of women with endometriosis and up to 50% of women with infertility can be diagnosed with endometriosis. Several pathophysiologic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Time for noninvasive serum markers for endometriosis diagnosis

Time for noninvasive serum markers for endometriosis diagnosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Onur Guralp and associates from Germany and Turkey published their results on serum markers predicting endometriosis in the "Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology".   Still, in 21st-century medicine, doctors can not diagnose endometriosis using biochemical serum markers. Proposed serum markers…

Key Points Lay Summary

Postoperative pregnancy rate in infertile women with deep infiltrating endometriosis

 Postoperative pregnancy rate in infertile women with deep infiltrating endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is fibrous/muscular infiltration of organs and anatomical structures containing endometrial tissue below the peritoneum regardless of the depth of infiltration. Another definition describes DIE as infiltration of the peritoneum by endometriotic lesions deeper than 5 mm. Pain,…

Key Points Lay Summary

KEYNOTE: Excision Without Mutilation: It’s Possible! -  Arnaud Wattiez, MD

KEYNOTE: Excision Without Mutilation: It’s Possible! -  Arnaud Wattiez, MD By Özge Özkaya

In his keynote lecture, Dr. Wattiez talks about the pros and cons of endometriosis surgery and the importance of tailoring endometriosis surgery to individual patients.  “Endometriosis is a disease that degrades patient’s wellbeing," Dr. Wattiez says and gives some examples…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring the Role of Neuropathy in Re-Operative Endometriosis - Marc Possover, MD, PhD

Exploring the Role of Neuropathy in Re-Operative Endometriosis - Marc Possover, MD, PhD By Özge Özkaya

Prof. Possover starts his presentation by summarizing the possible cause of pelvic neuropathy following endometriosis surgery. Pelvic neuropathy is the damage or dysfunction of the pelvic nerve. Prof. Possover explained that this could either be due to incomplete surgery, disease…

Key Points Lay Summary

Operative techniques for Deep Endometriosis Surgery - Shaheen Khazali, MD

Operative techniques for Deep Endometriosis Surgery - Shaheen Khazali, MD By Özge Özkaya

In this presentation, Dr. Shaheen Khazali, an endometriosis surgeon specialized in gastrointestinal and urinary tract endometriosis excision and in neuropelveology, talks about the general principles and some techniques for endometriosis surgery focusing on rectovaginal endometriosis. He also describes the "ten…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic Approach to Rectus Muscle Endometriosis and Inguinal Endometriosis - Ted Lee, MD

Laparoscopic Approach to Rectus Muscle Endometriosis and Inguinal Endometriosis - Ted Lee, MD By Selma Oransay

Rectus muscle endometriosis and inguinal endometriosis are two rare types of endometriosis. Operation room videos of several patients with different rectus muscle endometriosis and inguinal endometriosis are shared during the presentation of Dr. Lee to clarify the methods of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Egg Freezing for Endometriosis: Should she rush - Tomer Singer, MD

Egg Freezing for Endometriosis: Should she rush - Tomer Singer, MD By Özge Özkaya

In this presentation, Dr. Tomer Singer, a fertility specialist and the medical director at Shady Grove Fertility in Manhattan, New York talks about egg freezing and its importance for women with endometriosis. He emphasizes the importance of having an endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring Pelvic Pain: Deep to Ischial Spine Including Pre-Sacral Roots - A. Taner Usta, MD

Exploring Pelvic Pain: Deep to Ischial Spine Including Pre-Sacral Roots - A. Taner Usta, MD By Irem Onur

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer and results in functional or psychological disability or requires intervention and treatment by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. There are…

Key Points Lay Summary

Why Persistent or Recurrent Endometriosis Happens? - Dan Martin, MD

Why Persistent or Recurrent Endometriosis Happens? - Dan Martin, MD By Ellen Tumimbang

The objectives of Dr. Martin in this presentation are to understand the difficulties in recognition of deep and hidden endometriosis, difficulties in recognition of small lesions of micron size, and differentiate the look-alike lesions of endometriosis. He addressed overcoming these…

Key Points Lay Summary

Role of Prophylactic Oophorectomy in Endometriosis Patients with Ovarian Cancer History in the family - Farr Nezhat, MD

Role of Prophylactic Oophorectomy in Endometriosis Patients with Ovarian Cancer History in the family - Farr Nezhat, MD By Özge Özkaya

Dr. Nezhat starts his presentation by outlining his objectives, which are to review the basics of cancer genetics, give an overview about endometriosis and ovarian cancer, discuss the pathogenesis of malignant transformation of endometriosis, and talk about the clinical implications…

Key Points Lay Summary

Further Evidence that endometriosis is related to tubal or ovarian cancer - Togas Tulandi, MD

Further Evidence that endometriosis is related to tubal or ovarian cancer - Togas Tulandi, MD By Selma Oransay

Most authors suggest an association of endometriosis mainly with clear cell, low-grade serous, and endometrioid ovarian cancer.  But in two large cohort studies, no correlation between them is reported (Olson et al. 2002 and Tseng et al. 2019) Dr. Tulandi…

Key Points Lay Summary

Insoluble Dilemma of Adenomyosis: Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment  - Errico Zupi, MD

Insoluble Dilemma of Adenomyosis: Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment  - Errico Zupi, MD By Selma Oransay

The prevalence of adenomyosis has been reported to range from 1% to 70% in different studies. This large range can be explained by the lack of standard diagnostic criteria by imaging modalities or pathological analyses. Sixty-five% of the women with adenomyosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis: Less is better. How to improve the integration between surgical and medical therapy - Errico Zupi, MD

Endometriosis: Less is better. How to improve the integration between surgical and medical therapy - Errico Zupi, MD By Özge Özkaya

In this presentation, Dr. Errico Zupi, Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rome talks about the importance of an integrative approach comprising of both medical and surgical interventions to treat endometriosis.  "The first…

Key Points Lay Summary

Genetic and Pathologic aspects of Maligant Transformation of Endometriosis: Endometriosis-Related Ovarian Cancers-ERON's - Ayse Ayhan, MD

Genetic and Pathologic aspects of Maligant Transformation of Endometriosis: Endometriosis-Related Ovarian Cancers-ERON's - Ayse Ayhan, MD By Dr. Youngran Park

In the 2020 Endofound Medical Conference, Dr. Ayse Ayhan presented about endometriosis (endometrioma)-related ovarian cancer (ERON). Based on the current understanding of the epidemiology, histology, and molecular alterations, it seems clear that endometriosis is highly related to ERONs. Endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Urological Challenges in Endometriosis Surgery - Guenter Noe, MD

Urological Challenges in Endometriosis Surgery - Guenter Noe, MD By Özge Özkaya

In this presentation, Dr. Guenter Noé, Head of Department of Rheilandklinikum Dormagen in Germany talks about endometriosis affecting the urinary tract. Dr. Noé starts by describing the different parts of the urinary tract that can be affected by endometriosis including…

Key Points Lay Summary

Implantation failure in endometriosis patients - Jovana Lekovich, MD., PhD.

Implantation failure in endometriosis patients - Jovana Lekovich, MD., PhD. By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is one of the leading reasons for infertility due to decreased oocyte/embryo quality, fertilization ability, tubal function, and aberrant endometrial receptivity. Whether this failure is caused by oocyte/embryo or eutopic endometrium is one of the investigated topics in endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fixing holes: prevention and treatment of complications - Jon Einarsson, MD, MPH

Fixing holes: prevention and treatment of complications - Jon Einarsson, MD, MPH By Selma Oransay

Dr. Einarsson shared his operating room video screens during his speech for discussing four major complications (ureter, bladder,  bowel, and vascular) of endometriosis surgery and the ways to repair them. Fixing the ureter damage: Endometriotic nodules may settle on the tract…

Key Points Lay Summary

Limits of endometrioma surgery in infertility patients - Liselotte Mettler, MD, PhD

Limits of endometrioma surgery in infertility patients - Liselotte Mettler, MD, PhD By Selma Oransay

The removal of endometrioma may affect ovarian reserve because healthy follicles near endometrioma could also be excised during this procedure. Another concern about the ovarian reserve is that it may be already low before the surgery. Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH)…

Key Points Lay Summary

In vitro fertilization protocols in endometriosis patients - Pinar Kodaman, MD., PhD.

In vitro fertilization protocols in endometriosis patients - Pinar Kodaman, MD., PhD. By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis, and sperm movements. Even though the disease stage and presence of endometrioma is negatively correlated with infertility, it is unpredictable which women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Increase the Risk of Endometriosis?

Could Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Increase the Risk of Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

The use of cosmetics and personal care products may be increasing the risk of endometriosis according to a study by Spanish researchers that was published in the journal "Environmental Research". This finding suggests that restricting the use of these products may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and the sexual relations of the couples

Endometriosis and  the sexual relations of the couples By Selma Oransay

From the viewpoint of endometriotic women, the pain during the penetration is not the only complaint. They also have growing depression and anxiety leading to difficulties with their social and sexual relationship, work, and study. The emotional impact of sub-infertility,…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Possible genetic target for endometriosis treatment

A Possible genetic target for endometriosis treatment By Dr. Youngran Park

Mutations in the chromosome remodeling complex SWI/SNF subunit ARID1A were first identified in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, two endometriosis-associated epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes. ARID1A gene mutations are also observed in deep ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriosis, atypical endometrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

The recurrence risk of endometrioma in older age

The recurrence risk of endometrioma in older age By Bahar Yuksel

Ovarian endometrioma is more common in reproductive ages and the recurrence rate is around 20 percent in the first 2 years after the initial surgery. The use of postoperative hormonal therapy is a mutual option to decrease recurrences. The rate…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis involving the Sacral Plexus and Sciatic Nerve

Endometriosis involving the Sacral Plexus and Sciatic Nerve By Irem Onur

Endometriosis rarely involves the sacral and sciatic nerves. A retrospective analysis led by Rouen University Hospital, France and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, has evaluated preoperative complaints, intraoperative findings, surgical procedures, and postoperative…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Inflammation: How to Treat it?

Endometriosis and Inflammation: How to Treat it? By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis have systemic and localized inflammation within eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues found in a study published in the "American Journal of Reproductive Immunology". More importantly, the study also found that the inflammation caused by the disease could…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma size and anti-Müllerian hormone levels

Endometrioma size and anti-Müllerian hormone levels By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriotic lesions are encountered in different locations in the pelvic cavity, including but not limited to the ovaries, the pouch of Douglas, the ureters, the bladder, and the bowel. Cystic endometriosis lesions located in the ovary are called "endometrioma". Endometriomas have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does hysterectomy bring a total relief in patients with endometriosis?

Does hysterectomy bring a total relief in patients with endometriosis? By Bahar Yuksel

There is a common belief that hysterectomy is the last option to relieve the pain in patients with endometriosis by stopping the production of menstrual material. The study entitled "Impact of hysterectomy on analgesic, psychoactive and neuroactive drug use in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pain in Endometriosis

Pain in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition characterized by chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and infertility. It affects approximately 10% of women globally and more than 60% of women diagnosed with endometriosis report CPP. However, the mechanisms underlying the associated pain…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Signaling Pathway Could Be Crucial in the Development of Endometriosis

New Signaling Pathway Could Be Crucial in the Development of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

RAMP1 signaling is crucial for growth and blood and lymphatic vessel formation in endometrial tissue, according to a new study published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. This suggests that blocking RAMP1 could be a new way to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reduced risk of "small for gestational age baby" following frozen embryo transfer in endometriosis patients

Reduced risk of By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is encountered frequently in patients with endometriosis. These women could be managed using assisted reproductive technology (ART) including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve pregnancy. However, some adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes are experienced more…

Key Points Lay Summary

A pilot study for Endometriosis Potential biomarkers

A pilot study for Endometriosis Potential biomarkers By Ellen Tumimbang

Endometriosis is one of the most common female health disorders typically causing dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain, and may contribute to infertility. It is necessary to identify potential molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and regulatory factors behind the disease. The study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and adenomyosis could be the “sides of the same coin”.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis could be the “sides of the same coin”. By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

The two common gynecological disorders, namely adenomyosis, and endometriosis are not settled yet, whether they are representing two different entities or different phenotypes of the same ailment. Dr. Maruyama and colleagues from Nara, Japan searched PubMed and Google Scholar electronic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Natural Killer Cell Immunity

Endometriosis and Natural Killer Cell Immunity By Dr. Youngran Park

It is known that approximately 25 to 50% of infertile women have endometriosis, and 30% to 50% of the women with endometriosis have infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Previous studies have shown that women suffering endometriosis have abnormal NK cell…

Key Points Lay Summary

Magnetic resonance imaging classification for the management of deep pelvic endometriosis

Magnetic resonance imaging classification for the management of deep pelvic endometriosis By Irem Onur

A new study published in the journal "Human Reproduction" reported that operating time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications in patients who underwent surgery for deep endometriosis can be predicted by the MRI. This result may be useful for clinicians to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combination of noninvasive biomarkers in the identification of endometriosis

Combination of noninvasive biomarkers in the identification of endometriosis By Timur Seckin

The combined measurement of urine enolase, serum CA125, and CA19-9 may be an accurate test for the prediction and detection of endometriosis. This is according to a study published in the journal BioMedical Research International. The gold standard for the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Patients' opinion about surgical treatment of endometriosis

Patients' opinion about surgical treatment of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Delayed diagnosis and management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain is a major problem in gynecologic practice. Alternatively, providers may feel reluctant to perform surgery although they are aware of treatment options and surgical timing. One possible reason for this…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new Marker to Detect Endometriosis and Its Severity?

A new Marker to Detect Endometriosis and Its Severity? By Özge Özkaya

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) could be a novel marker that could help diagnose endometriosis as well as to detect its severity. This is according to a new study by researchers in Egypt, published in the scientific journal "BMC Women’s Health".…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can a grape ingredient, resveratrol, be the promised warrior to defeat endometriosis?

Can a grape ingredient, resveratrol, be the promised warrior to defeat endometriosis? By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disorder and has a known relationship with angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Resveratrol is a part of a "polyphenol" compound which are thought to act like antioxidants, protects the body against damage. This compound is normally…

Key Points Lay Summary

CA125 do not correlate with pain and its severity among adolescents

CA125 do not correlate with pain and its severity among adolescents By Ellen Tumimbang

Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) is a high molecular weight glycoprotein expressed in tissue derived from the coelomic and Mullerian epithelia including the uterus endometrium. Previous studies reported that CA125 is the most studied endometriosis marker. Women with endometriosis experienced different…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bad bad lipid go away!

Bad bad lipid go away! By Yu Yu

Much like the progression of endometriosis, accumulating evidence suggests that systemic chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to atherosclerosis. The excess low-density lipoprotein increases inflammatory processes in the arteries, which may result in atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Indocyanine green in endometriosis surgery

Indocyanine green in endometriosis surgery By Selma Oransay

Recently, indocyanine green is well studied and used safely in real-time perfusion to organs or tissues, after taking into consideration its binding capacity to the plasma proteins. The usefulness and the effectiveness of near-infrared camera guided indocyanine green is proved with…

Key Points Lay Summary

It is time for non-invasive tests for peritoneal endometriosis diagnosis

It is time for non-invasive tests for peritoneal endometriosis diagnosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Maria Szubert with colleagues from Lodz Medical University, Poland, investigated the possibility of potential diagnostic biomarkers in the eutopic endometrial tissue from peritoneal endometriosis patients and published their results in the "Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction". Currently, diagnostic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fallopian tube endometriosis

Fallopian tube endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis affects various tissues including pelvic and extra-pelvic organs. Fallopian tube endometriosis is not a widely studied topic in endometriosis, hence the real incidence is unknown as not all studies evaluate microscopically diagnosed Fallopian tube endometriosis. In the retrospective database…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-coding RNAs and Endometriosis

Non-coding RNAs and Endometriosis By Ellen Tumimbang

Non-coding RNAs may have a fundamental role in the development of endometriosis. Non-coding transcripts have regulatory roles in the expression of protein-coding genes, thus regulate several signaling pathways. Based on their length, these non-coding RNAs are classified into two main classes:…

Key Points Lay Summary

The peculiarity of adolescent endometriosis

The peculiarity of adolescent endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Recent studies showed the prevalence of endometriosis in adolescents with chronic cyclic or acyclic pelvic pain is about 60-70%. Moreover, all stages of endometriosis, including deeply infiltrating endometriosis can be found in this population. Gubbels et al. from the Department…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stem cell and exosome therapy

Stem cell and exosome therapy By Dr. Youngran Park

These days, two experimental methods, stem cell, and exosome therapy are getting more attention. Stem cell therapy has shown promising effects in regenerative medicine, including myocardial infarction, nervous system impairment, retinal damage, and liver diseases. Recent studies showed that stem…

Key Points Lay Summary

The intensity of pelvic pain is higher in endometriosis patients

The intensity of pelvic pain is higher in endometriosis patients By Irem Onur

Silva  J.B. et al., researchers from Brazil, conducted a case-control study to determine the intensity of clinical pain, the average body composition, and the anthropometric markers including the body mass index, the perimeters (waist, abdomen, hip), and the percentage of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Sexual Quality of Life in Women With Endometriosis

Sexual Quality of Life in Women With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Painful intercourse, more severe period pain, worse health-related quality of life, and unemployment are all associated with worse sexual quality of life in women with endometriosis. This is according to a Dutch study published in the scientific journal Sexual Medicine.…

Key Points Lay Summary

The more than expected prevalence of endometriosis in patients with Mullerian abnormalities

The more than expected prevalence of endometriosis in patients with Mullerian abnormalities By Bahar Yuksel

Congenital müllerian anomalies resulting in a spectrum of uterine abnormalities are caused by the abnormal embryologic fusion of the müllerian ducts to form a normal uterine cavity.  They are often unrecognized because they are usually asymptomatic. The presence of a uterine…

Key Points Lay Summary

Depression and anxiety levels in "in vitro fertilization" patients with endometriosis

Depression and anxiety levels in By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a reproductive-aged and estrogen-dependent disease. The most common symptoms of this disease are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility affecting the quality of life in several aspects mainly the psychological domain. In the literature, there are many studies…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis-related obstetrical complications and their outcome

Endometriosis-related obstetrical complications and their outcome By Selma Oransay

Borisova et al. from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Peoples' Friendship University, Moskow, Russia, and her colleagues from the Center of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine of University Perugia, Italy, recently published a review of the literature data about…

Key Points Lay Summary

Time for reassessment : Laparoscopic surgery and bowel endometriosis

Time for reassessment : Laparoscopic surgery and bowel endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Ferrero and associates from medical centers of Verona and Genoa, Italy, made a comprehensive review covering all aspects of the surgical approach to bowel endometriosis, published their results in "Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology". Bowel endometriosis is the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Predictors of voiding dysfunction after surgery for deep endometriosis

Predictors of voiding dysfunction after surgery for deep endometriosis By Selma Oransay

While surgery for deep endometriosis provides relief and improves the quality of life in symptomatic patients for whom medical therapy has limited effect, it may also create postoperative lower urinary tract dysfunction. Moreover, postoperative voiding dysfunction could affect the quality…

Key Points Lay Summary

Colorectal Deep Endometriosis Resection and Potential Complications

Colorectal Deep Endometriosis Resection and Potential Complications By Murat Osman

A severe clinical form of endometriosis, deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is characterized by more aggressive endometriotic lesions commonly involving deeper pelvic or gastrointestinal organs. It causes significant quality of life impairment and morbidity and is increasingly associated with infertility. When…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors affecting the quality of life of women with endometriosis

Factors affecting the quality of life of women with endometriosis By Timur Seckin

Results from a new study suggest that the quality of life of women with endometriosis is significantly affected by their confidence to manage pain and their belief in the evolution of their condition. In this study, led by Rees M. et…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep Endometriosis or Recto-uterine Obliteration Without Endometrioma

Deep Endometriosis or Recto-uterine Obliteration Without Endometrioma By Selma Oransay

The diagnostic help of ultrasound is increasing by its ability to diagnose deep infiltrating and rectouterine pouch obliteration in patients who are suffering from chronic pelvic pain. Clinicians are used to evaluating the rectal and parametrial areas of the endometriotic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antioxidant Enzymes in Endometriosis

Antioxidant Enzymes in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Recent attention has been focused on the effect of oxidative stress in the development of endometriosis. Especially, there are several studies regarding glutathione peroxidase (GPX), a major enzyme in removing various reactive oxygen species. In the field of infertility, the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The advantages of combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach on voiding dysfunction for rectovaginal endometriosis

The advantages of combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach on voiding dysfunction for rectovaginal endometriosis By Irem Onur

The patients with rectovaginal endometriotic nodules with extensive vaginal infiltration who are managed combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach have a lower risk of postoperative bladder dysfunction when compared to surgery via laparoscopy alone. This is according to a manuscript published in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Inhibiting killer on the move

Inhibiting killer on the move By Yu Yu

The three main forms of endometriosis are superficial, ovarian, and deep endometriosis. The latter is defined by the presence of endometriotic nodules that are deeper than 5 mm. Deep endometriosis is considered the most aggressive and is associated with severe…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrial polyps of patients with and without endometriosis

Endometrial polyps of patients with and without endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Endometrial polyps are benign local overgrowths comprising both glands and the stroma, and are quite common in gynecological practice. Endometriosis patients also commonly have polyps, which have yielded different features than those from patients without endometriosis.  Dr. Jiangand and associates…

Key Points Lay Summary

The impact of laser vaporization on reproductive outcomes in women with endometrioma

The impact of laser vaporization on reproductive outcomes in women with endometrioma By Hale Goksever Celik

Despite extensive research, the optimal method for the management of endometriosis still remains unclear. Excisional surgery is claimed with a more favorable outcome than drainage and ablation regarding the recurrence of disease and symptoms. On the other hand, cyst vaporization…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Call for Pan-Canadian Collaboration for the Care and Quality of Life of Endometriosis Patients

A Call for Pan-Canadian Collaboration for the Care and Quality of Life of Endometriosis Patients By Timur Seckin

Wahl KJ et al., from Canada, drew attention to the lack of health care for endometriosis patients who are estimated to be 1 million in number in Canada in their recent brief communication report. The delay in the diagnosis, the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bowel surgery for endometriosis

Bowel surgery for endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. The disease harbors various complications. Deep endometriosis involving the bowel is only one aspect of the condition that has variable phenotypic presentations and pathologic subtypes. Knowledge of the short- and long-term risks of the surgical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Progesterone Receptors and Endometriosis.

Progesterone Receptors and Endometriosis. By Ellen Tumimbang

Endometriosis is characterized as a chronic and inflammatory disease in which the specific cause has not been completely understood. Nonetheless, altered estrogen signaling and progesterone resistance are the common attributes of endometriosis. Progesterone resistance is partly attributed to a decrease…

Key Points Lay Summary

Benefits of Nerve-Sparing Hysterectomy

Benefits of Nerve-Sparing Hysterectomy By Selma Oransay

The retroperitoneal spread of endometriosis or cancer may involve pelvic autonomic nerves situated on the lateral aspects of uterosacral ligaments, vesicouterine ligaments, and medial aspects of parametria. During the conventional open hysterectomy operations, nerve-sparing excision is very difficult, simply because pelvic autonomic nerves…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriotic mesenchymal stem cells may promote endometriosis

Endometriotic mesenchymal stem cells may promote endometriosis By Yu Yu

The cause of endometriosis is still debatable. Many researchers have accepted that retrograde menstruation, where the endometrial fragments released during menstruation attach and colonize the ectopic locations, is the most plausible reason. However, the numbers just do not add up.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there a commonality between endometriosis and systemic lupus?

Is there a commonality between endometriosis and systemic lupus? By Murat Osman

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect many organs including the skin, joints, the central nervous system, and the kidneys. Women of childbearing age and certain racial groups are at increased risk to develop the condition.…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Impact of Painful Sex on the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Adolescent and Young Adult Women

The Impact of Painful Sex on the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Adolescent and Young Adult Women By Özge Özkaya

Clinicians should ask adolescents and young women about painful sex, not just talk about contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. This is because painful sexual intercourse could have a negative impact on relationships and peer engagement, which is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immune cells and endometriosis pain

Immune cells and endometriosis pain By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder in women. This disease leads to dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. The immune reaction is one of the most widely accepted pathologies of endometriosis. Estrogen dysfunction stimulates immune cells in the peritoneal cavity affecting…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hormone Therapy Before Endometriosis Surgery

Hormone Therapy Before Endometriosis Surgery By Yu Yu

Hormonal therapy can be effective for endometriosis, although laparoscopic surgery is required for the frequent drug-resistant symptoms. Laparoscopic surgery can markedly improve endometriosis-associated pain. The administration of GnRH agonist prior to endometriosis laparoscopic surgery may be beneficial to improve surgical…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reproductive capacity and recurrence rate after surgery for Stage III/IV endometriosis 

Reproductive capacity and recurrence rate after surgery for Stage III/IV endometriosis  By Bahar Yuksel

If gaining fertility back is the main goal, the surgical removal of endometriosis lesions is globally recognized as first-line therapy. Even though, pre- and postoperative hormone therapy leads to a significant decrease in the spread of the disease measured with the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Early maternal separation and endometriosis progression in adult mice

Early maternal separation and endometriosis progression in adult mice By Hale Goksever Celik

The quality of life in the women affected by endometriosis depends on the symptoms and signs of endometriosis such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, it…

Key Points Lay Summary

Increased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and its possible role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis.

Increased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and its possible role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis. By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that functional endometrial tissue exists outside both the uterine cavity and myometrium. The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear and controversial. According to the implantation theory, which is the most well-known, migration and invasion are two…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fallopian tubes and endometriosis

Fallopian tubes and endometriosis By Selma Oransay

There are multiple theories to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis, among which the most popular one is Sampson's retrograde menstruation theory. The role of endometrial stem cells/progenitors are widely studied to support the origin of ectopic lesions in recent decades.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Impacts Transgender Adolescents

Endometriosis Impacts Transgender Adolescents By Irem Onur

Shim J.Y. et al, from Boston, Massachusetts retrospectively searched the electronic medical records of transmasculine patients younger than 26 years old who were diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and treated at Boston Children’s Hospital, between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2020.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Iron overload in follicular fluid in Endometriosis

Iron overload in follicular fluid in Endometriosis By Yu Yu

Around 20-50% of women with endometriosis have an infertility issue. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a common procedure to assist women with endometriosis to become pregnant. However, one major problem remains that women with endometriosis tend to have fewer oocytes…

Key Points Lay Summary

The impact of obesity on safety and feasibility of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery

The impact of obesity on safety and feasibility of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery By Hale Goksever Celik

The quality of life in the women affected by endometriosis depends on the symptoms and signs of endometriosis such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The most common locations of endometriosis are ovary, ovarian fossa, uterosacral ligament, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

A New Treatment Approach for Endometriosis?

A New Treatment Approach for Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

A new approach may be effective at relieving pain associated with endometriosis according to a study published in the PM&R Journal. The new technique may also improve “overall pelvic function, particularly in relation to intercourse, working, and sleeping,” according to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adolescent endometriosis

Adolescent endometriosis By Timur Seckin

A recent article, led by experts from Peking Medical Union College, describes the clinical characteristics and postoperative symptoms of adolescent endometriosis. The authors inform that their report, which is published in the "Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology", can provide…

Key Points Lay Summary

Suggested remedies for endometriosis patients during coronavirus pandemic

Suggested remedies for endometriosis patients during coronavirus pandemic By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

The pandemic of COVID-19 continues to have important effects on endometriosis patients worldwide. Many health care facilities stopped providing surgical management and outpatient appointments are canceled or postponed. Dr. Leonardi from Australia and associates from several countries published their proposals…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hysterectomy as a choise of chronic pelvic pain relief in endometriotic women.

Hysterectomy as a choise of chronic pelvic pain relief in endometriotic women. By Selma Oransay

Sandstrom et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Umea University, Sweden, found a significant and long-lasting reduction in pain symptoms after hysterectomy among women with confirmed endometriosis and recently published their results in "BJOG". The authors performed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cancer-associated mutations and endometriosis

Cancer-associated mutations and endometriosis By Ellen Tumimbang

Endometriosis is thought to benign gynecological disease. However, recent studies compiled in this review paper suggest that spontaneous somatic mutations are driven to occur during the cyclic bleeding resulting in endometriosis tissue undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair. Mutations are…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cabergoline or Progesterone not Effective in Rat Model of Endometriosis

Cabergoline or Progesterone not Effective in Rat Model of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Oral treatment with cabergoline or micronized progesterone for four weeks is not effective in the regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model of the disease. This is according to a study published in the "Journal of Investigative Surgery".  Cabergoline…

Key Points Lay Summary

Local inflammation and follicle development in women with ovarian endometriosis

Local inflammation and follicle development in women with ovarian endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis, a cause of subfertility, is found in almost 50% of infertile women. The elevated levels of cytokines in the follicular fluid of patients with endometriosis might account for the ovulatory dysfunction. Granulosa cells (GCs) play important roles in follicular…

Key Points Lay Summary

Anogenital distance and endometriosis

Anogenital distance and endometriosis By Timur Seckin

Endometriosis may be associated with exposure of the embryo to chemicals called ‘endocrine disruptors’. Exposure to endocrine disruptors can be estimated by measuring the anogenital distance (i.e. the distance between the clitoris and the anus), using a centimeter ruler with…

Key Points Lay Summary

International experts commentary for assisted fertility treatment facilities amidst COVID-19

International experts commentary for assisted fertility treatment facilities amidst COVID-19 By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A multinational and multi-institutional commentary led by Dr. Alviggi from Italy and Dr.Esteves from Brazil has addressed important issues on assisted reproductive technology treatment amid COVID-19 lockdown suggesting remedies in the journal of "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology" May 2020 issue.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Racial and ethnic disparities and women health

Racial and ethnic disparities and women health By Selma Oransay

The well documented racial and ethnic disparities in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the US make available to use them as an indicator of implicit bias in giving unequal health and care service to minorities. Dr. Bryant from Massachusetts General Hospital,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of endometriosis on the quality of life

The effect of endometriosis on the quality of life By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis, the disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity, can be diagnosed in the reproductive-aged women with an incidence of 7-15%. However, endometriosis is observed in women with chronic pelvic pain syndrome…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menstrual Blood Proteins for Endometriosis Diagnosis

Menstrual Blood Proteins for Endometriosis Diagnosis By Ellen Tumimbang

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. The backflow of menstrual blood from the uterus through the fallopian tubes is thought to be the cause of endometrial tissue growing outside the uterine cavity when…

Key Points Lay Summary

Role of race in science

Role of race in science By Nadire Duru

Although genome pioneers and social scientists agreed on not using the race as a variable in genetic research during human genome sequencing time, the use of race as a biological category has risen since. Traditionally ‘race’ has been used as…

Key Points Lay Summary

A hope for postoperative symptomatic endometriosis therapy

A hope for postoperative symptomatic endometriosis therapy By Irem Onur

A new chapter in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis patients may begin since new medical approaches including oral GnRH antagonists, selective progesterone receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and peritoneal immune response modulators are being actively evaluated. To date, there was only…

Key Points Lay Summary

Racial Bias in Pain Assessment and Treatment Recommendations

Racial Bias in Pain Assessment and Treatment Recommendations By Deniz Kocas

This study, published by Hoffmann et al. in the April 2016 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites are associated with the perception that black people feel less pain than do white…

Key Points Lay Summary

Race, socioeconomic status, and health

Race, socioeconomic status, and health By Dr. Youngran Park

Racial disparities in health have been long noted in the United States. The differences in socioeconomic status across racial groups are a major contributor to racial disparities in health. However, race reflects multiple dimensions of social inequality. Understanding and effectively…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diagnosis and treatment algorithm for endometriosis

Diagnosis and treatment algorithm for endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive disease that affects 25-30% of women between 25-35years, clinicians commonly experience during their gynecologic practice. However, the diagnosis is still late or sometimes incorrect, and this creates severe health problems and worse outcomes. A…

Key Points Lay Summary

Discrepancies between racial/ethnic groups and choice of hysterectomy procedures

Discrepancies between racial/ethnic groups and choice of hysterectomy procedures By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Pollack and associates from Washington University, St.Louis, made multistate research regarding the patient profile in hysterectomies and published their results in the 2019 December issue of "The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology". The most frequently performed nonobstetric surgery in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is oocyte cryopreservation useful for fertility preservation in ovarian endometriosis?

Is oocyte cryopreservation useful for fertility preservation in ovarian endometriosis? By Irem Onur

Women with endometriosis tend to have lower fecundity compared to normal couples. Furthermore,  endometrioma itself may reduce the ovarian reserve by altering ovarian physiology in the surrounding healthy ovarian tissue. The treatment for endometrioma is surgical removal in most cases, however,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis surgery and future pregnancy complications

Endometriosis surgery and future pregnancy complications By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis is one of the known diseases for infertility in the reproductive period of women. Several studies revealed that endometriosis itself maybe the reason for some unfavorable obstetric outcomes. Localization, the type of endometriotic lesions, and the stage of endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Case-control study to develop a questionnaire for early diagnosis of endometriosis

Case-control study to develop a questionnaire for early diagnosis of endometriosis By Nadire Duru

Endometriosis, which affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age, is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus, associated with several discomforts such as pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, and infertility. Ultrasound evaluation…

Key Points Lay Summary

East/South East Asian Ethnicity and Moderate-to-Severe Endometriosis

East/South East Asian Ethnicity and Moderate-to-Severe Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is defined by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Understanding how this disease affects diverse groups of people will aid doctors in assessing and diagnosing populations that are high-risk…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ultrasound diagnosis of endometriosis: One Size Does-Not-Fit-All

Ultrasound diagnosis of endometriosis: One Size Does-Not-Fit-All By Murat Osman

Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is an advanced form of endometriosis that causes significant morbidity to many women. The Pouch of Douglas (POD), otherwise known as the rectouterine space, is the anatomic area between the posterior cervix and anterior rectum. Its…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immune System, Cytokines and Endometriosis

Immune System, Cytokines and Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease. Diagnosing endometriosis is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary considerably. Therefore, the discovery of a reliable non-invasive diagnostic biomarker would represent a major advance for the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis.  It has been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Neglected needs of endometriosis and infertility patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Neglected needs of endometriosis and infertility patients during COVID-19 pandemic By Timur Seckin

With the global outbreak of the COVID-19, hospitals canceled surgeries and people are afraid of going to hospitals. However, chronic diseases still need to be managed. Rowe H. and Quinlivan J., researchers from Australia, pointed out the neglected needs of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Risk Factors Associated with Ureteral Endometriosis

Risk Factors Associated with Ureteral Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Patients with severe endometriosis, uterosacral ligament deep involvement with endometriosis lesions of  3 cm in diameter or more, and the presence of previous endometriosis surgery have a significantly higher risk of having ureteral endometriosis. This is according to a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic surgery for COVID-19 positive patients: A Dilemma

Laparoscopic surgery for COVID-19 positive patients: A Dilemma By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

COVID-19 pandemic is the most important issue of our days. In this regard, it is crucial to keep health care providers (HCPs) safe and away from contamination. Doctors Without Borders reported that regardless of all preventive measurements, nearly eight percent…

Key Points Lay Summary

Resveratrol for infertility: A frenemy?

Resveratrol for infertility: A frenemy? By Selma Oransay

Ovarian aging is defined by an age-specific decline of the functional ovarian reserve. Female ovarian reserve declines progressively with increasing chronological age. Chronic damage by reactive oxygen species results in deterioration and aging through mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere shortening, cohesion dysfunction,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fatigue from the viewpoint of patients with endometriosis

Fatigue from the viewpoint of patients with endometriosis By Irem Onur

Fatigue, feeling spoonie, is documented as a significant symptom of endometriosis in many studies. Researchers from three different institutions dealing with reproductive health conducted individual interviews with patients reporting moderate to severe endometriosis-related pain to better understand endometriosis-related fatigue and…

Key Points Lay Summary

NAT2 as potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis

NAT2 as potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis By Nadire Duru

Endometriosis affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age causing several discomforts, pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, ectopic bleeding, infertility, and sometimes even malignant transformation but its etiology remains unclear. Accumulating evidence point a key role for genetic factors and there is…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Insights on Infertility and Low Success Rates of Assisted Reproduction in Women with Endometriosis

New Insights on Infertility and Low Success Rates of Assisted Reproduction in Women with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The fluid surrounding immature eggs waiting to mature and be fertilized by a sperm to lead to pregnancy is different in women with endometriosis compared to those without, according to a study published in Molecular Biology Reports. This could explain,…

Key Points Lay Summary

miR-92a and progesterone resistance in endometriosis

miR-92a and progesterone resistance in endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This incidence of this disease is 35% to 50% among those who suffer from chronic pelvic pain and infertility, which has a negative effect on the quality of life and on health. Recent genome-wide associations…

Key Points Lay Summary

Improved fusion imaging for the detection of Endometriosis

Improved fusion imaging for the detection of Endometriosis By Murat Osman

This paper studied a new fusion method for magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) imaging for the appropriate diagnosis of endometriosis. The diagnosis of endometriosis in patients with a chronic pelvic disease is delayed, due to the disease, patient, and physician-led…

Key Points Lay Summary

Defective “ferroptosis”: a new pathogenetic explanation of endometriosis

Defective “ferroptosis”: a new pathogenetic explanation of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Ng and associates from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA made a comprehensive review of the role of the iron element in the development of endometriotic lesions. Though iron element is essential for cell survival, and its deficiency is important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are endometriosis patients at higher risk of bipolar disorder?

Are endometriosis patients at higher risk of bipolar disorder? By Irem Onur

Endometriosis patients are prone to develop certain psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as bipolar disorder, according to a nationwide population-based cohort study from Taiwan. Bipolar disorder formerly called manic-depression is a chronic mental disorder characterized by unusual changes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Maternal body mass index and neonatal outcomes in women with endometriosis

Maternal body mass index and neonatal outcomes in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. Its prevalence is 10-15% in the general population of this age. However, endometriosis is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Interleukin-37b inhibits the growth of murine endometriosis-like lesions

Interleukin-37b inhibits the growth of murine endometriosis-like lesions By Nadire Duru

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that causes chronic pain and infertility in women. Despite continuous efforts and numerous research, there is, ultimately, still much to understand about the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Inflammatory factors including several interleukins have already been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hysterolaparoscopy Plus Assisted Reproduction Improves Fertility in Women with Endometriosis

Hysterolaparoscopy Plus Assisted Reproduction Improves Fertility in Women with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Hysteroscopy and laparoscopic surgery is an effective and reliable therapeutic procedure, confirmed a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Medicine". The approach is even more effective when combined with assisted reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination and in vitro…

Key Points Lay Summary

Steroid hormone receptors in endometriosis

Steroid hormone receptors in endometriosis By Yohan Suryo

Therapeutics that target the steroid hormones are the standard treatment for women with endometriosis because steroid hormones play an important role in endometrial physiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis. Examples of these therapeutics include anti-estrogens, estrogen receptor (ER) modulators, progestins, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

How should MRI images be obtained for optimal endometriosis detection?

How should MRI images be obtained for optimal endometriosis detection? By Murat Osman

It is well known that the diagnosis of endometriosis for some patients with the chronic pelvic disease is delayed, often for years, due to the disease, patient, and physician-led factors. An area of active study is how ordering physicians can…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal sonography for predicting the distance between rectosigmoid endometriosis and the anal verge

Transvaginal sonography for predicting the distance between rectosigmoid endometriosis and the anal verge By Timur Seckin

For optimal surgery, pre-surgical assessment of the distance between rectosigmoid deep endometriosis lesions and the anal verge (Lesion to Anal Verge Distance-LAVD) is recommended by many specialists. A group of researchers from Norway, Austria, and Australia studied the accuracy of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgical approach to rectovaginal endometriosis.

Surgical approach to rectovaginal endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Recto-vaginal endometriosis incidence is estimated at 3.8%-37% among women with endometriosis and when it exists it's a part of deeply infiltrated endometriosis, thus advance stage endometriosis. Raimondo et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of…

Key Points Lay Summary

tRNA-derived fragments in ovarian endometriosis?

tRNA-derived fragments in ovarian endometriosis? By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent mysterious disorder characterized by the presence of endometrium outside the normal location of the uterus cavity. This disease affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and becomes a major reason for infertility in reproductive-aged women and dysmenorrhea…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recurrence following surgery for subtypes of endometriosis

Recurrence following surgery for subtypes of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease identified by the location of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. It is considered as a gynecological disease of reproductive-aged women. Three subtypes of endometriosis are peritoneal endometriosis which defines the endometriotic lesions…

Key Points Lay Summary

The link between ovarian cancer and endosalpingiosis

The link between ovarian cancer and endosalpingiosis By Timur Seckin

The presence of benign glands lined by tubal-type epithelium in the peritoneum and subperitoneal tissues is called "endosalpingiosis". A recent study that investigates the possible association between endosalpingiosis and ovarian cancer was conducted by Hermens et al., from the Netherlands, and has…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-hormonal chemicals for endometriosis related pain reduction

Non-hormonal chemicals for endometriosis related pain reduction By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Loi and colleagues conducted a clinical prospective study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Italy, and published in the journal "International Journal of Women’s Health".  Formation of adhesions and/or interference with the reproductive process endometriosis, severe…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility conservation in women with endometriosis

Fertility conservation in women with endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women in their reproductive period and almost half of them may need Assisted Reproductive techniques to conceive. Moreover, increased malignancy risk is threatening the women with severe endometriosis in addition to their decreased ovarian reserve. Due…

Key Points Lay Summary

Imaging of gastrointestinal endometriosis

Imaging of gastrointestinal endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue to surrounding pelvic and extra-pelvic structures. One frequent site of involvement is the gastrointestinal(GI) tract, which occurs especially among women with deep infiltrating endometriosis. Most cases of GI-involving…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility preservation protocols in women with endometriosis

Fertility preservation protocols in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Infertility is one of the major symptoms in women with endometriosis. Childbearing at a delayed age is preferred by the majority of women recently who consult for the demand for fertility preservation procedures. There are several techniques for fertility preservation…

Key Points Lay Summary

Urgent Need For Building Resilience

Urgent Need For Building Resilience By Timur Seckin

According to Naeem et al.’s article, “Coping with Covid”, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the ideal intervention tool to increase resilience. Their study has recently been published in "Kyber Medical University Journal". The authors investigate the psychological impact of the Covid-19…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fertility and Oxidative Stress

Fertility and Oxidative Stress By Yu Yu

One of the characteristics of endometriosis is oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and their resolution by antioxidants. Increased oxidative stress can lead to the damage of proteins, lipids, DNA and other molecules.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Early Life Factors for Endometriosis

Early Life Factors for Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women. Despite the significant impact, the etiology of endometriosis is still unclear. A recent systematic review of 15 studies of adolescents found that overall 65% of girls undergoing laparoscopic investigation were diagnosed with endometriosis.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can Controlled Trials Help Surgeons Decide on Best Way to Treat Endometriosis-Associated Pain?

Can Controlled Trials Help Surgeons Decide on Best Way to Treat Endometriosis-Associated Pain? By Özge Özkaya

It may not be realistic to base the decision on the best way to surgically treat pain in a woman with endometriosis on the results of surgical randomized controlled trials. This is according to a study by researchers at the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Relationship Between Dyspareunia and Infertility in Endometriosis

The Relationship Between Dyspareunia and Infertility in Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Wahl et al. from the Center of Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis British Columbia Women's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada studied with endometriotic patients suffering from dyspareunia who were referred to their center and built a cross-sectional study to investigate the relations between…

Key Points Lay Summary

All aspects of endometriosis reviewed with focus on modern management

All aspects of endometriosis reviewed with focus on modern management By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Chapron and associates from academic centers in France published in Nature Review Endocrinology, a comprehensive review on endometriosis. The article is inclusive of all aspects of endometriosis but especially focuses on the management of the disease with its contemporary status.  Having a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Abdominal wall endometriosis: Who is at risk and what causes it?

Abdominal wall endometriosis: Who is at risk and what causes it? By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a condition that can cause anatomic, hormonal, and inflammatory disturbances that may ultimately result in decreased fertility or infertility. It is a disease process that is defined as ectopic endometrial-like tissue implanting itself to various pelvic and extra…

Key Points Lay Summary

Polymorphisms and endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Polymorphisms and endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses. By Yohan Suryo

The symptoms of endometriosis are varied among women and include chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and fatigue. There are no reliable blood tests and medical imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound are not always satisfactory. The lack of endometriosis-specific symptoms…

Key Points Lay Summary

Kisspeptin and its Receptor in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Kisspeptin and its Receptor in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis By Irem Onur

It is known that matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. For example, the upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 may enhance the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, facilitating cell migration and invasion. Kisspeptin (KISS1, also…

Key Points Lay Summary

The predictive factors for early spontaneous miscarriage in IVF/ICSI cycles

The predictive factors for early spontaneous miscarriage in IVF/ICSI cycles By Hale Goksever Celik

The most common presenting complaints of endometriosis are mainly dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably fertility problems. The clinical pregnancy rate has increased up to 60% in assisted reproductive…

Key Points Lay Summary

Regulation of Inflammation in Endometriosis

Regulation of Inflammation in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent and multifaceted gynecological condition. Unfortunately, this disease frequently causes chronic and cyclic pelvic pain. Though there are several treatments are available, there is not an actual cure for this disease. Therefore, the development of new therapy…

Key Points Lay Summary

Leiomyomas have similar genetic background with endometriosis

Leiomyomas have similar genetic background with endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

This multicenter research conducted in institutions located in the USA and UK published in Nature Communications, October 2019 issue.  Leiomyomata of the uterus are hormone-dependent tumors with an estimated prevalence of about  20-77%. İn several publications. Research in uterine leiomyoma…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma, follicular fluid, oocyte and embryo

Endometrioma, follicular fluid, oocyte and embryo By Yu Yu

It is estimated that infertility occurs in more than one-third of women with endometriosis. How endometriosis affects fertility, however, is not clearly known. The follicular fluid provides a microenvironment for oocyte development and impacts embryo quality. Thus, it is believed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis May Change Women’s Personality, Study Suggests

Endometriosis May Change Women’s Personality, Study Suggests By Özge Özkaya

The personality of women may be altered as a result of endometriosis, according to a study published in the Journal of "Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology". This finding suggests that a better understanding of the disease is needed in order to…

Key Points Lay Summary

The relationship of serum concentrations of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and endometriosis

The relationship of serum concentrations of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and endometriosis By Irem Onur

Although many serum biomarkers or biomarker panels for endometriosis are evaluated, none of them is exact enough to be used in daily laboratory practice. In a recent study, which has been published in Scandinavian Journal Of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Barberic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Current Status of Transvaginal Ultrasound Accuracy in the Diagnosis of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Current Status of Transvaginal Ultrasound Accuracy in the Diagnosis of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is an imaging tool that is irreplaceable for the diagnosis of multiple gynecologic conditions such as ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy, and uterine leiomyomas. TVUS is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of endometriosis as it can assess…

Key Points Lay Summary

The genetic mutations in uterine adenomyosis

The genetic mutations in uterine adenomyosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Adenomyosis is defined as the localization of endometrial stromal and glandular cells in the myometrium. This disease is a reproductive-aged women disease, like endometriosis. Additionally, adenomyosis is frequently observed together with endometriosis and leiomyomas due to common histological features and…

Key Points Lay Summary

How well do providers understand endometriosis?

How well do providers understand endometriosis? By Demet Candaş Green

Endometriosis is a challenging disease no matter what side of the equation you are in, a patient or a provider who cares for patients with the disease. It impacts millions of women worldwide, making it one of the most prevalent…

Key Points Lay Summary

Phytotherapy as an alternative endometriosis treatment

Phytotherapy as an alternative endometriosis treatment By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease that affects 5–10% of women in fertile age. Different therapeutic strategies are available to treat this disease, such as surgery, hormonal therapies, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  Medical therapy usually consists of different hormonal drugs,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adiposity, endometriosis type and severity

Adiposity, endometriosis type and severity By Selma Oransay

Dr. Jiyoung from the division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine of the University of Utah, planned a prospective cross-sectional study to assess whether there is an inverse relationship between the adiposity and endometriosis. The results of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Integrated bioinformatic analysis for endometriosis diagnosis

Integrated bioinformatic analysis for endometriosis diagnosis By Nadire Duru

Endometriosis is considered as a non-malignant disease, but it is associated with several unfavorable conditions including non‑menstrual pelvic pain and infertility. Surgical resection and hormone suppression are common means of treatments; however, several side-effects and the recurrence are not preventable.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preoperative serum CA 125 levels predict the severity of adhesions in endometriosis

Preoperative serum CA 125 levels predict the severity of adhesions in endometriosis By Irem Onur

Lee Y. et al., a group of researchers from Korea evaluated the correlation between preoperative serum markers and pelvic adhesions in endometriosis patients and explored the markers’ clinical value for outcome prediction. They have recently published their study in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which treatment option improves fertility the most?

Which treatment option improves fertility the most? By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a condition that causes anatomic, hormonal, and inflammatory disturbances that may ultimately result in decreased fertility or infertility. It is estimated that 30-50% of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility. Thus, the role of surgical, medical, or expectant…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Women’s Tendency Towards Blood Clotting

Endometriosis and Women’s Tendency Towards Blood Clotting By Özge Özkaya

Women with ovarian endometriomas have an abnormally increased tendency toward blood clotting, study shows. Researchers think that this is due to the inflammatory nature of endometriosis. So abnormal coagulation parameters could be used to diagnose endometriosis, however, more detailed studies…

Key Points Lay Summary

Treatment choices for abdominal wall endometriosis

Treatment choices for abdominal wall endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Welch et.al, from the Department of  Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, worked with his gynecologist colleagues to underline the current treatment algorithm of abdominal wall endometriosis in Mayo Clinic. Their experience results recently published in the journal "Abdominal Radiology". Abdominal wall…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of acidic ribosomal protein P1 in Endometriosis

The role of acidic ribosomal protein P1 in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. The disease develops and composed of the ectopic endometrial-like tissue which establishes primarily in the pelvic cavity. Previous findings clearly show that estrogen-related factors are critical for endometriosis development and progression. However, we do have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Strength exercise may not be helpful for the management of endometriosis-related pain

Strength exercise may not be helpful for the management of endometriosis-related pain By Yu Yu

Women with endometriosis often suffer from pelvic pain, although the disease severity is not correlated with pain intensity. Research in pain symptoms suggests that several neuromodulatory events are involved, including reduced peripheral induced pain thresholds and significant changes to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

A review of endometriosis in adolescent girls and young women

A review of endometriosis in adolescent girls and young women By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease which is commonly diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. On the other hand, this disease can develop earlier in life due to different etiopathogenetic mechanisms. Especially adolescents who experienced neonatal uterine bleeding are under the risk for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could my Peritoneal Fluid Have a Negative Effect on my Partner’s Sperm?

Could my Peritoneal Fluid Have a Negative Effect on my Partner’s Sperm? By Özge Özkaya

The peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis could negatively affect the quality and functionality of sperm, according to a study by Spanish researchers. This could explain infertility linked to the male partners of women with endometriosis. The knowledge could also…

Key Points Lay Summary

Worrying signs of Endometriosis on Hysterosalpingography

Worrying signs of Endometriosis on Hysterosalpingography By Murat Osman

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an imaging modality that utilizes fluoroscopy in order to evaluate the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, and adjacent peritoneal cavity by injecting contrast media through the cervical canal. It is an important tool in the work-up of patients who…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Severity and Complication Risks Following Laparoscopic Surgery

Endometriosis Severity and Complication Risks Following Laparoscopic Surgery By Özge Özkaya

In a research article published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts suggested that the severity of endometriosis could not be a predictor of the risk of post-operative complications. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association between endometriosis and ectopic pregnancy

The association between endometriosis and ectopic pregnancy By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and fertility problems. It has been understood in the light of scientific evidence that endometriosis is also associated with other poor…

Key Points Lay Summary

What we should know in managing infertility related to endometriosis?

What we should know in managing infertility related to endometriosis? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Llarena and associates made a comprehensive review of the causes of infertility in endometriosis and adverse effects of surgical procedures in Clinical Medicine Insights: Reproductive Health. Infertility is an important issue in endometriosis patients and about 30-50 % face infertility.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease show the same pathologic mechanism in terms of endothelial dysfunction. Tan et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada reviewed the literature aiming to determine whether women…

Key Points Lay Summary

CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists as novel therapies for endometriosis

CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists as novel therapies for endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a common, estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disorder. It affects approximately 5-10% of reproductive-aged women and 20-50% of infertile women. Endometriosis also has a significant social and psychological impact on the lives of women. Despite such a significant burden, there…

Key Points Lay Summary

What do Women with Endometriosis Think About the Medical Profession?

What do Women with Endometriosis Think About the Medical Profession? By Özge Özkaya

Failure of surgical treatment, use of the emergency room, and access to complementary healthcare are factors associated with a negative perception of the medical profession in women with endometriosis.  This is according to a study conducted by researchers in British…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis signaling: the role of IL-34

Endometriosis signaling: the role of IL-34 By Yu Yu

An increasing number of studies have suggested that the pathogenesis of endometriosis is mediated by cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)−17, which promoted the formation and progression of endometriosis by up-regulating angiogenesis and pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. IL-34 is a newly described…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and ovarian reserve

Endometriosis and ovarian reserve By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is most frequently encountered in reproductive-aged women. Its prevalence is 10-15% in the general population of this age. However, endometriosis is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between…

Key Points Lay Summary

When to do - and when not to do surgery for endometriosis

When to do - and when not to do surgery for endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. It was estimated to affect about 176 million women in the world and usually causes pelvic pain and infertility. Unfortunately, the current understanding of this disease is very limited. Though there are many remaining questions,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in the Urinary Bladder

Endometriosis in the Urinary Bladder By Timur Seckin

A case of bladder endometriosis is reported by Geng JH, from Taiwan, and the paper has been recently published in The New England Journal Of Medicine. The patient was a 38-year-old woman presented to the outpatient urology clinic with complaints…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does the Severity of Endometriosis Increase the Risk of Complications Following Surgery?

Does the Severity of Endometriosis Increase the Risk of Complications Following Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

The severity of endometriosis cannot predict the risk of complications after laparoscopy. Instead, the complexity of the surgical procedure itself may increase the risk of complications. This is according to a study published in the journal "Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica".…

Key Points Lay Summary

Natural killer cells receptor expression in endometriosis

Natural killer cells receptor expression in endometriosis By Yu Yu

Increasingly, studies have reported that endometriosis pathogenesis is related to defect in immune functions. The data also points to the impaired function of natural killer (NK) cells, leading to less cytotoxic NK cell activity in endometriosis. Similar to B and…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new ultrasound subgrouping reveals good clinical correlations in adenomyosis

A new ultrasound subgrouping reveals good clinical correlations in adenomyosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Exacoustos and colleagues from two endometriosis tertiary referral centers in Rome, Italy published their observational, prospective study of the recently proposed transvaginal ultrasonographic scoring system in the "Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology". Adenomyosis or “endometriosis interna” is defined as the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is commonly diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. The most common complaints of women with endometriosis are pain and fertility problems. Although many advanced types of research about the etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment have been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgery and the endometriosis associated-pain: A systematic review

Surgery and the endometriosis associated-pain: A systematic review By Selma Oransay

The surgical approach for pelvic pain-related to endometriosis depends on the stage and the type of the endometriotic lesion and ranging from ablation and the excision of the lesions to radical surgery as hysterectomy with removal of ovaries and presacral…

Key Points Lay Summary

Medical databases yield 32 published cases of surgically treated liver endometriosis

Medical databases yield 32 published cases of surgically treated liver endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Prodromidou and colleagues from Greece have published a review of surgically diagnosed, histopathologically proven liver endometriosis cases published worldwide, in the journal "Annals of Hepatology". Searching at three electronic medical databases namely, PubMed (1966–2019), Scopus(2004–2019), and Google Scholar (2004–2019) for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hemorrhagic Ascites, Belly-Blood: The cause may be endometriosis!

Hemorrhagic Ascites, Belly-Blood: The cause may be endometriosis! By Timur Seckin

A paper on the presentation of hemorrhagic ascites in endometriosis patients, written by Bernard et al. from the United States and China, was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. From 1978 to 2016, the authors found only 37 articles, which describe 42…

Key Points Lay Summary

Risk of placenta previa is elevated in endometriotic women who underwent surgery.

Risk of placenta previa is elevated in endometriotic women who underwent surgery. By Selma Oransay

In the last decade concerns raised for surgical operations performed before pregnancies of endometriotic patients due to significantly increased risk of pregnancy complications such as placenta previa, preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage and small baby…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quality of Endometriosis Healthcare: What Do Patients Feel, What Do Doctors Say?

Quality of Endometriosis Healthcare: What Do Patients Feel, What Do Doctors Say? By Özge Özkaya

Patients and doctors seem to agree that clinical care for women with endometriosis needs improving. This is according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology.  Endometriosis is a severe condition where chronic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Regret assessment in women under 35 years who underwent hysterectomy

Regret assessment in women under 35 years who underwent hysterectomy By Hale Goksever Celik

Hysterectomy is the most common gynecological operation in women for the management of benign or malign indications. Leiomyomas, menorrhagia, endometriosis, and pain unresponsive to medical treatment can be accepted as the most common indications for hysterectomy. However, hysterectomy, as the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis features vs Patient age

Endometriosis features vs Patient age By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis, a common gynecological disease, has significant negative impacts on patients’ daily life. Especially in younger women who have yet to achieve pregnancy, effective management should consider the disease progression. Though it is still under debate, some people suggest that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cloverleaf Sign: A new MRI sign for diagnosing DIE

Cloverleaf Sign: A new MRI sign for diagnosing DIE By Selma Oransay

Magnetic resonance imaging provides accurate information for the staging of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, especially when the patient is virgin, obese or has limited transvaginal examinations due to pelvic pain. In this recently published study in Investive Radiology, Harma et al.…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Best to Assess Productivity at Work Among Women with Endometriosis?

How Best to Assess Productivity at Work Among Women with Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

The health-related productivity questionnaire (HRPQ) is a valid tool to evaluate patient-reported productivity at work and at home among women with endometriosis found a study by U.S. researchers.  This finding is important because it shows that HRPQ can be used…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new target for the treatment of endometriosis?

A new target for the treatment of endometriosis? By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis affects around 10% of women in reproductive age, estimating more than 176 million women worldwide. Inflammation in the pelvic cavity is very common in endometriosis patients. Therefore, there are high concentrations of cytokines and immune cells in the peritoneal…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of endometriosis on implantation in women with endometriosis associated infertility

The effect of endometriosis on implantation in women with endometriosis associated infertility By Hale Goksever Celik

One of the most common clinical findings of women with endometriosis is fertility problems. Women with endometriosis often benefit from in vitro fertilization methods to get pregnant. However, whether there is a detrimental effect of endometriosis on in vitro fertilization outcomes…

Key Points Lay Summary

A rigorous literature review on endometriosis

A rigorous literature review on endometriosis By Irem Onur

Bulun SE. et al., from Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, conducted a rigorous literature review on endometriosis. This outstanding review by Dr. Bulun et al. addresses the definition, remarkable medical features, clinically useful research findings, prevalence and distribution,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Increased obstetrical complications after ART therapy in endometriosis patients.

Increased obstetrical complications after ART therapy in endometriosis patients. By Selma Oransay

To examine the impact of endometriosis and adenomyosis on ART therapy, Harada et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Tottori University, Japan, planned a prospective cohort study and published their results recently in PLoS One.  The study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels for predicting spontaneous pregnancy after endometriosis surgery

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels for predicting spontaneous pregnancy after endometriosis surgery By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. Although there are several medical and surgical therapeutic options, the most effective treatment modality has not yet been elucidated.    The main…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Sheds Light on Physiological Processes Associated with Endometriosis

Study Sheds Light on Physiological Processes Associated with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Sensory nerves play an important role in the development of endometriosis as well as fibrosis, confirms a study by Chinese researchers.  A better understanding of physiological processes associated with the development of endometriosis can help researchers devise new ways to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Consquences of endometriosis in menopausal period.

Consquences of endometriosis in menopausal period. By Selma Oransay

Marie-Scemama et al. from Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France, referred to endometriosis and menopause which is an actual cruising topic and recently published it in the journal named "Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation". Endometriosis a well-known estrogen-dependent disease has three…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there any difference between endometriosis patients with or without obliterated cul-de-sac during laparoscopic hysterectomy?

Is there any difference between endometriosis patients with or without obliterated cul-de-sac during laparoscopic hysterectomy? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. It is diagnosed in 10% to 15% of reproductive-aged women. Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new technique for laparoscopic management of ovarian endometriosis.

 A new technique for laparoscopic management of ovarian endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

To cause a minimal hazardous effect on ovarian reserve during laparoscopic surgery of endometriomas is always a great concern for clinicians. Shaltout et al. from Cairo University, Egypt, examined the effect of "Surgicel" on preventing the recurrence of endometriomas and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Perinatal risk factors for endometriosis

Perinatal risk factors for endometriosis By Irem Onur

Gao M. et al., from Sweden analyzed the associations of maternal and birth characteristics with the risk of endometriosis among Swedish women of reproductive age. They have recently published their study in the "International Journal of Epidemiology". The authors conducted…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Protein for Endometriosis Diagnosis

New Protein for Endometriosis Diagnosis By Özge Özkaya

A protein called TIMP3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3) could be used for the diagnosis and prognosis (likely course) of endometriosis.  The early diagnosis of endometriosis is of paramount importance because it can help to diagnosis and thus initiate the right…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does ovarian endometriosis affect oocyte quality?

Does ovarian endometriosis affect oocyte quality? By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a very common gynecological disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. It is reported that patients with endometriosis have reduced implantation and pregnancy rates compared to healthy women. According to the various previous studies, the quality of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Patients preferences for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain

Patients preferences for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the location of endometrial stroma and glands outside the uterine cavity. The most common presenting complaints are mainly dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility, most of which relate to the menstrual period. Those women affected…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to predict complications for endometriosis surgery?

How to predict complications for endometriosis surgery? By Timur Seckin

In a new study co-led by scientists at Sorbonne University, a nomogram is built to better inform patients about the risk of deep endometriosis surgery without bowel involvement. The findings have been published in the European Journal of Obstetrics &…

Key Points Lay Summary

Melatonin receptors and their role in endometrial cell proliferation

Melatonin receptors and their role in endometrial cell proliferation  By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are pelvic pain and infertility. Despite extensive research, the exact pathophysiological mechanism and the optimal management of endometriosis still remains unclear. Management of endometriosis should aim to relieve pain,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and endometriosis

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Omur Taskin and associates from British Columbia, Canada, have recently published a review regarding the potential link between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and endometriosis in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of hemostatic techniques used in endometrioma surgery on ovarian function

Impact of hemostatic techniques used in endometrioma surgery on ovarian function By Demet Candaş Green

This publication reports on an ongoing clinical trial that aims to assess whether the hemostatic techniques (methods to stop bleeding) used in ovarian endometrioma surgery have damaging effects on ovarian function. The clinical trial stemmed from a multitude of inconclusive…

Key Points Lay Summary

A miniaturized version of endometrium: organoids for endometriosis research

A miniaturized version of endometrium: organoids for endometriosis research By Yu Yu

Organoids are a miniaturized version of a tissue that is produced in culture through three dimensions techniques in order to better mimic the tissues of origin. These cultures are supposed to better replicate the complexity of a biological organ/disease. Endometrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

The accuracy of "lower endoscopic ultrasound" for the preoperative diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis

The accuracy of By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis affects reproductive-aged women most frequently with a prevalence of 5% to 15%. If the endometriotic lesions involve the bowel especially sigmoid colon and rectum, this subtype of endometriosis is named as "bowel" or "rectosigmoid" endometriosis. Rectosigmoid endometriosis is encountered in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Inside to outside or from outside to inside?

Inside to outside or from outside to inside? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Pathogenesis of "adenomyosis", presence of the ectopic endometrium tissue within the uterine muscles, has largely been classically based on origin from basalis endometrium. Khan and associates from Japan have published their new conceptual findings on adenomyosis in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

Plausible biomarkers for noninvasive endometriosis diagnosis

Plausible biomarkers for noninvasive endometriosis diagnosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent benign gynecological disease characterizing ectopic deposition of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. It affects about 10% of reproductive-aged women and causes enormous negative impacts on the quality of lives. However, we do not have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Nanotechnology as a tool for targeted therapy of endometriosis

Nanotechnology as a tool for targeted therapy of endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a process whereby endometrial cells persistently grow and invade extra-uterine tissue through a primarily estrogen-dependent manner. These ectopic endometrial cells proliferate in sometimes an uncontrolled manner, similar to cancer or inflammatory tissues. To proliferate, cells need cholesterol to…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to Classify Endometriosis for a better and effective evaluation

How to Classify Endometriosis for a better and effective evaluation By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis affects 10% of women in their reproductive period and causes infertility around 40% of women who have the disease. Peritoneal fluid may be one of the factors to facilitate the spread of endometriosis to ovaries, peritoneum and other deep…

Key Points Lay Summary

Mortality of 49956 midlife women with surgically verified endometriosis

Mortality of 49956 midlife women with surgically verified endometriosis By Irem Onur

Saavalainen L. et al., from Finland recently published a retrospective large cohort study in the journal Human Reproduction, where they retrospectively examined the data of surgically verified endometriosis patients to find out if all-cause and the cause-specific mortality rate is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which Diagnosis Technique is Better?

Which Diagnosis Technique is Better? By Özge Özkaya

Transvaginal ultrasound provides a more accurate localization of vaginal and recto-vaginal endometriosis compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to a study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. However, MRI has better accuracy in detecting bladder endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Infertility in women with endometriosis

Infertility in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. The most common presenting complaints are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Despite extensive research, the etiopathogenic mechanism underlying the two has not been fully elucidated. Although human…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Effect of Imbalanced Progesterone Receptors-A/B on Gelatinase Expressions in Endometriosis

The Effect of Imbalanced Progesterone Receptors-A/B on Gelatinase Expressions in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a benign disease which affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and is one of the most common reasons for infertility. Though the underlying mechanisms of disease progression have not been clearly understood, it develops as a consequence of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fusion US/MR imaging in the evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis

Fusion US/MR imaging in the evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis By Timur Seckin

Scioscia M. et al., from Italy presented a case of a large deep infiltrating nodule of the uterosacral ligament and discussed the importance of a relatively new technique, fusion US/MR imaging in their article. The article containing a video of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis that involves the nerves: how Radiologists can help

Endometriosis that involves the nerves: how Radiologists can help By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease with variable clinical symptoms. While rare, nerve involvement by endometriosis may cause neurologic symptoms such as pelvic pain, muscle weakness, bowel and bladder incontinence, and paraplegia depending on the specific nerve involved. Thus, abdominal radiologists should…

Key Points Lay Summary

A position statement of diagnosing and treating endometriosis for gynecologists.

A position statement of diagnosing and treating endometriosis for gynecologists. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis Treatment Italian Group recently declared 10 "valuable" conducts to evaluate endometriotic patients and published them in Hum. Reprod. Open. This society consists of 16 university departments and training center with expert clinicians on endometriosis from Italy. After arising the idea of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Babies Born Lighter May Have a Higher Risk of Developing Endometriosis Later in Life

Babies Born Lighter May Have a Higher Risk of Developing Endometriosis Later in Life By Özge Özkaya

Being exposed to growth restriction before birth seems to be associated with a higher risk of developing endometriosis during a woman’s reproductive years. Other factors such as having fewer liveborn children and prior infertility problems, also seem to be important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Health care resource utilization and cost in women with endometriosis

Health care resource utilization and cost in women with endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 6-10% of reproductive-aged women. The clinical picture of the disease range from asymptomatic findings to dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Endometriosis has also complex etiopathogenetic background. This broad clinical spectrum, the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Endometriosis: Comorbid Conditions

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Endometriosis: Comorbid Conditions By Irem Onur

In the study of Dr. Boneva et al., from Atlanta, GA, the United States which has recently been published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics evaluated the impact of endometriosis on the health of women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The authors compared…

Key Points Lay Summary

A study about adnexial torsion doubts in patients with endometriosis.

A  study about adnexial torsion doubts in patients with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometrioma is the presence of endometriosis cysts in the ovary, and is one of the most common forms of endometriosis, with unknown pathophysiology. Adnexal torsion results in twisting ovarian tissues resulting in a decreased blood flow. The causes for adnexal torsion due…

Key Points Lay Summary

Patients with Pelvic Pain Most Likely to Benefit from Endometriosis Surgery

Patients with Pelvic Pain Most Likely to Benefit from Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

Women who experience higher levels of pain are more likely to show improvement in their quality of life (QoL) following endometriosis surgery, according to a study published in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Chronic pelvic pain seems to be…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgical treatment of deeply infiltrating endometriosis in tertiary treatment centers

Surgical treatment of deeply infiltrating endometriosis in tertiary treatment centers By Demet Candaş Green

In the present study, data from patients who were surgically treated for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in a tertiary referral unit, the Avicenna Centre for Endometriosis and Minimally Invasive Gynecology (ACEMIG, Tehran, Iran), were examined for rates of intraoperative and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The predictors for the coexistence of uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis

The predictors for the coexistence of uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis  By Hale Goksever Celik

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common gynecological benign tumors affecting 20-25% of reproductive-aged women. Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, and infertility are major symptoms of these tumors. Endometriosis is another gynecological disease encountered in 10-15% of reproductive-aged women. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal Ultrasound and the Imaging of Endometriosis

Transvaginal Ultrasound and the Imaging of Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Ultrasonography (US) is an imaging tool that uses sound waves to produce a two-dimensional picture inside of the body. The ultrasonography has become especially useful in the assessment of gynecologic pathologies such as endometriosis. Depending on the severity of endometriosis,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Importance of monocytic myeloid derived supressor cells in endometriosis

Importance of monocytic myeloid derived supressor cells in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells MDSCs are immature myeloid cells that play a major role in immunosuppression in various disease processes.  Ya Sun and associates have investigated these cells in endometriosis utilizing various laboratory methods. published their results in the "American Journal of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Seven Hormonal Biomarkers for Diagnosing Endometriosis

Seven Hormonal Biomarkers for Diagnosing Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition characterized by implantation and invasive growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Although it is benign, endometriosis has cancer-like features, a mutation profile similar to that of ovarian cancer, and increased ovarian cancer risk.…

Key Points Lay Summary

The link between autoimmunity and endometriosis

The link between autoimmunity and endometriosis By Yu Yu

A popular model to explain the etiology of endometriosis is Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation. In this model, the viable endometrial tissue is spread and attached to the peritoneal cavity through the fallopian tubes during menstruation, resulting in an inflammatory…

Key Points Lay Summary

Analogous pathways of peritoneal tumor wound healing and endometriosis.

Analogous pathways of  peritoneal tumor wound healing and endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis, diagnosed around 10-15% of women population in their reproductive period, is a chronically progressive inflammatory disease to cause peritoneal lesions while spreading into the abdominal cavity. The pathophysiology of the adhesions between the peritoneum and pelvic organs can be…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – yet another environmental factor associated with endometriosis?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – yet another environmental factor associated with endometriosis? By Demet Candaş Green

This study by Wen et al., published in Gynecological Endocrinology, analyzed evidence connecting endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to the incidence of endometriosis in a collection of 30 previously published studies. Results show that exposure to many EDC's are linked to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Urocortin: A biomarker deserving investigation for endometriosis patients

Urocortin: A biomarker deserving investigation for endometriosis patients By Irem Onur

Urocortin is a neuropeptide in the corticotropin-releasing hormone family and is expressed by eutopic and ectopic human endometria. Since it has paracrine and immunomodulatory effects, urocortin is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Its expression has been thoroughly…

Key Points Lay Summary

The coelomic metaplasia hypothesis of endometriosis in MRKH cases

The coelomic metaplasia hypothesis of endometriosis in MRKH cases By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity and its incidence is approximately 10% in the general female population. Although the pathophysiological mechanism is not clearly understood, the implantation theory by Sampson…

Key Points Lay Summary

ENDORECT scoring system to identify patients at risk for rectosigmoid endometriosis

ENDORECT scoring system to identify patients at risk for rectosigmoid endometriosis By Murat Osman

Patients who suffer from endometriosis may benefit from a preoperative score that predicts rectosigmoid involvement. A recent paper published by Huchon et al. at Poissy Saint-Germain en Laye, France, recruited 119 women who underwent laparoscopy for endometriosis between 2011 and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Novel inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis

Novel inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a chronic benign disease which is estrogen-dependent. Estradiol creates a positive feedback loop with the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators, which sustains further disease establishment and causes the pain symptoms. However, hormone therapies do not cure definitively endometriosis, because…

Key Points Lay Summary

Another Genetic Polymorphism That May Increase Risk of Endo

Another Genetic Polymorphism That May Increase Risk of Endo By Özge Özkaya

A single letter change in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene may significantly increase the risk of endometriosis.  This is according to a study conducted among women in Southwest China and published in the journal Medicine. Identifying genetic risk…

Key Points Lay Summary

Searching new biomarkers for endometriosis

Searching new biomarkers for endometriosis By Selma Oransay

This recent article published in Advances in Clinical Chemistry, is an overall summary of characteristics, physiopathological theories, diagnostic approaches and variety of biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis and penned by Coutinho et al. from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Belo Horizonte,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association of significant hemoperitoneum (blood in the abdominal cavity) and deep pelvic endometriosis

The association of significant hemoperitoneum (blood in the abdominal cavity) and deep pelvic endometriosis By Irem Onur

 Although there are several theories to explain the etiology of deep endometriosis, the cause is unknown and there are currently no effective strategies to prevent its development. Bean E. et al., from University College London Hospital, UK,  observed that some…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non‑invasive biomarkers for endometriosis diagnosis

Non‑invasive biomarkers for endometriosis diagnosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a disease of women in reproductive age and its incidence varies between 5-10%. Since the diagnosis is based on the histological confirmation, there is an average of 7 to 11 years of delays in the diagnosis. Promising non-invasive…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does Endometriosis Reduce Ovarian Reserve?

Does Endometriosis Reduce Ovarian Reserve? By Özge Özkaya

Markers of ovarian reserve are worse in infertile women with endometriosis compared to women who cannot conceive due to male factor infertility regardless of whether or not they have had ovarian surgery. This finding is important because it suggests that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fibrogenesis in endometriosis: The role of neuropeptides

Fibrogenesis in endometriosis: The role of neuropeptides By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynaecologic disease affecting 6–10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriotic lesions are known to be hyperinnervated due to neurogenesis resulting from neutrophins secreted by endometriotic lesions and possibly platelets. These neutrophins seem to preferentially favor the…

Key Points Lay Summary

New findings in adenomyosis (endometriosis interna) patients with potential theraupetic research implications

New findings in adenomyosis (endometriosis interna) patients with potential theraupetic research implications By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Xue Shen and associates from Beijing, China have published their observations related to cannabinoid receptors, i.e., CB1 and CB2, in patients with adenomyosis, recently in the journal  "Biomed Research International".  Adenomyosis is an estrogen-dependent uterine disorder where a nonmalignant invasion…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pathophysiology of peritoneal endometriosis pain.

Pathophysiology of peritoneal endometriosis pain. By Serdar Balci

This article is an invited editorial by Ferrero S et.al. from IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, published in the Annals of Translational Medicine. The authors describe the pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms of pain in peritoneal endometriosis with reference to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

The genetic predisposition to endometriosis

The genetic predisposition to endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Although endometrium is a non-malignant disease, its symptoms can range from mild to severe due to the inflammation that ectopic endometrial tissue forms around itself. The exact etiopathogenetic mechanism…

Key Points Lay Summary

Anti-angiogenic treatment for endometriosis

Anti-angiogenic treatment for endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder. The wide variety of surgical and medical treatment has been applied for treating endometriosis, but a definitive therapy has not been achieved so far. Thus, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. Among…

Key Points Lay Summary

Plasma Energy for Ovarian Endometriomas

Plasma Energy for Ovarian Endometriomas By Timur Seckin

There are many different approaches used in the management of ovarian endometriomas such as stripping cystectomy, ablation, including electrical/thermal and CO2 laser ablation, fenestration/aspiration, and combined techniques. Plasma energy is a new promising treatment option for ovarian endometrioma and may be…

Key Points Lay Summary

Proposed algorithm for a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis.

Proposed algorithm for a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

This recently published article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology is about the challenge of diagnosing endometriosis, its impact on women's daily life and authored by Agarwal et al. from The University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. Authors called attention…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adenomyosis (endometriosis interna): an enigmatic disease that has to be discovered yet

Adenomyosis (endometriosis interna): an enigmatic disease that has to be discovered yet By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Scientists, Drs. Vannuccini and Petraglia from Italy have published an open access comprehensive review of Adenomyosis in "F1000Research" in March 2019 issue. Adenomyosis is a uterine disorder in which endometrial glands and stroma are pathologically demonstrated within the myometrium, i.e.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reducing the Risk of Recurrence After Endometriosis Surgery

Reducing the Risk of Recurrence After Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

The use of compounds called NF-κB inhibitors and β-blockers before and after endometriosis surgery may reduce the risk of the disease recurring, according to a study conducted in a mouse model. According to the study published in the journal Reproductive…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antibiotic therapy for endometriosis

Antibiotic therapy for endometriosis By Yu Yu

Current treatments for endometriosis are surgery and hormone therapy; however, these approaches may have significant side effects and do not prevent a recurrence. Therefore, alternative treatment modalities for endometriosis is needed. Recently, the idea that endometriosis may be influenced by…

Key Points Lay Summary

The postoperative functional outcomes of deep infiltrating endometriosis

The postoperative functional outcomes of deep infiltrating endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Rectosigmoid endometriosis is defined as the infiltration of the bowel wall with the endometrial-like glands and stroma, reaching at least the muscular layer. The most commonly involved sites are the rectum and sigmoid colon. For the management of deep infiltrating…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new trial to reduce the failure of IVF/ICS protocols in severe endometriosis

A new trial to reduce the failure of IVF/ICS protocols in severe endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Kong et al., from the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University, China, recently published this single-blinded, a multicentered and randomized controlled study in the Journal of Reproductive Health, with the aim to find a safer and more effective ovulation induction regimen for patients with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and nuclear receptors

Endometriosis and nuclear receptors By Dr. Youngran Park

It is well recognized that endometriosis is a steroid-dependent disorder. In endometrial stromal cells, progesterone regulates retinoic acid production and action. Retinoids also act via a number of nuclear receptors (NRs) and are involved in normal endometrial function and endometriosis. Estrogen…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and hScrib, in endometriosis

The role of adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and hScrib, in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Zhuo Ouyang and associates from the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China have recently published their research related to adhesion molecules in "Medicine (Baltimore)". Endometriosis is a “benign gynecological disease with some similarities to cancer”. Adhesion molecules E-cadherin and hScrib…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bladder Endometriosis

Bladder Endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

Bladder endometriosis is rare – about 1-2% of women with endometriosis may have endometrial lesions in their urinary tract. Diagnosis of bladder endometriosis is difficult because of its nonspecific symptoms such as frequent urination, pelvic pain, and burning sensation when…

Key Points Lay Summary

The coexistence deep infiltrating endometriosis and fibromyalgia

The coexistence deep infiltrating endometriosis and fibromyalgia By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The main symptoms of endometriosis which are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain impair the quality of life of these women. This disease may…

Key Points Lay Summary

MRI-based "ENZIAN" scoring system and intra-operative endometriosis findings

MRI-based By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease whereby endometrial-like glands grow and invade the extra-uterine structures. Endometriosis may affect various parts of the body, including the peritoneum, ovaries, or retroperitoneum. Recently, non-invasive methods for detecting these lesions have included trans-vaginal ultrasound…

Key Points Lay Summary

Epithelial Mutations in Endometriosis

Epithelial Mutations in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

A substantial body of epidemiologic evidence suggests a link between endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer, but a plausible underlying mechanism has remained elusive. Here, Dr. Bulun group from Northwestern University provide a focused review of the literature and discuss the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Antimullerian Hormone, endometrioma and ovarian reserve

Antimullerian Hormone, endometrioma and ovarian reserve By Selma Oransay

Younis et al. from Baruch-Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel, designed a review study on ovarian reserve alterations before and after endometrioma surgery that recently documented in "Human Reproduction Update". The authors examined the electronic databases of articles published between January…

Key Points Lay Summary

A highly sensitive Immunohistochemical Marker for Stromal Cells in endometriosis

A highly sensitive Immunohistochemical Marker for Stromal Cells in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Endometriosis is diagnosed histopathologically by the presence of endometrium-like tissues outside the uterus. Positive CD10 immunohistochemistry, highlighting stromal cells of the endometrium, is a useful adjunct for pathologists in the tissue diagnosis. However, CD10 expression is not specific to endometrial stromal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian stimulation regimes: Concerns on progression or recurrence of endometriosis

 Ovarian stimulation regimes: Concerns on progression or recurrence of endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Somigliana et al., from the University of Milan, Italy, performed a literature review to predict the endometriosis-enhancing effect of ART regimes on infertile women and reported their results in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. Their points of interest were increasing dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pain and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of Menstrual Symptoms on Everyday Life

Impact of Menstrual Symptoms on Everyday Life By Dr. Youngran Park

Menstrual symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and significant perimenstrual mood disorders, are common gynecological conditions. About 30% of women consider their menstrual bleeding heavy, and 34–94% of women experience pain during their menstrual period. Menstrual symptoms have a significant…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preoperative factors to predict unresponsiveness in women undergoing endometriosis surgery

Preoperative factors to predict unresponsiveness in women undergoing endometriosis surgery By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. Despite extensive research, the optimal management of endometriosis still remains unclear. Several treatment options include analgesic medication, hormonal treatments, and surgical intervention. There is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Breast cancer incidence in women with endometriosis

Breast cancer incidence in women with endometriosis By Yu Yu

The relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer remains unclear. Some studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer among women with endometriosis, while others suggested no change in the risk of breast cancer. Previously, the authors have found that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of Endometriosis-Related Adhesions on Quality of Life among Infertile Women

Impact of Endometriosis-Related Adhesions on Quality of Life among Infertile Women By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is considered the most common cause of pelvic adhesions in women. It is considered one of the main underlying causes of the development of adhesions. Adhesions are bands of connective tissue, which connect two different tissues that are normally…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menstrual blood-derived stem cells

Menstrual blood-derived stem cells By Selma Oransay

Chen et al.  from the Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of İnfectious Disease, Zhejiang University, China penned this recent review in the Journal of Stem Cell Research Therapy which is presenting the clinical potential of MenSCs (Menstrual blood-derived stem cells). …

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis involving the superficial peritoneum in Adolescents: Surgical Management

Endometriosis involving the superficial peritoneum in Adolescents: Surgical Management By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic disease whereby endometrial glands and stroma grow and survive outside of the uterus. In some cases, endometriosis may become symptomatic and cause debilitating, chronic pelvic pain. Among pelvic organ and other surfaces that endometriosis can involve…

Key Points Lay Summary

Polymorphisms of STAT4 gene in the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Polymorphisms of STAT4 gene in the pathogenesis of endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases in reproductive-age women characterized by the occurrence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Researchers have put forward numerous hypotheses to explain ectopic endometrial tissue, and the bulk of the evidence…

Key Points Lay Summary

The appearance of postoperative endometriosis by imaging methods

The appearance of postoperative endometriosis by imaging methods By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Endometriosis can occur in three different entities: peritoneal, ovarian and deep endometriosis. Golden standard diagnosis is made by histopathological examination of surgical material after laparoscopic surgery in women with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and infertility: current concepts

Endometriosis and infertility: current concepts By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Hungarian and US scientists have published a comprehensive review on infertility related to endometriosis in Frontiers in Endocrinology, November 2018 issue.  Endometriosis is a common entity in women of reproductive age which often leads to infertility. Compiled research data reveal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Gal-3 can be a pharmacological target in endometriosis treatment

Gal-3 can be a pharmacological target in endometriosis treatment By Demet Candaş Green

Galectins are known to play a significant role in angiogenesis, which is a key event contributing to the development of many disease conditions, one of which is endometriosis. Past studies, upon examining several human endometriotic lesions, showed that Galectin-3 (Gal-3)…

Key Points Lay Summary

Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer

Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer By Selma Oransay

Andersen et al. published a prospective cohort study in the Journal of Hormones and Cancer to enlighten the estrogen signaling pathway during the transition from endometriosis to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Given the shared pathway of endometriosis and ovarian cancer as…

Key Points Lay Summary

Immunologic Disorder in the Progression of Endometriosis

Immunologic Disorder in the Progression of Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis becomes increasingly a health-social problem. However, definite diagnostic biomarkers and more effective treatments for endometriosis are still missing to this day.  Many researchers focus on the peritoneal microenvironment of patients with endometriosis, especially the immunological microenvironment. Recently, Jørgensen et…

Key Points Lay Summary

The duration of impairment of ovarian reserve after laparoscopic surgery

The duration of impairment of ovarian reserve after laparoscopic surgery By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic medical condition characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue that grows and invades extra-uterine tissues. It is a significant contributor to chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. Endometriosis involving the ovaries and causing a cystic growth…

Key Points Lay Summary

A link between endometrioid ovarian carcinoma and endometriosis.

A link between endometrioid ovarian carcinoma and endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Ciavattini et al.from Polytechnic University Ancona, Italy create a pilot study which recently published in Oncology Letters to clarify the link between endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer. The unfolded protein response (UPR) activity as a promoter of neoplastic progression of malignancies is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which comes first in endometriosis management: In vitro fertilization or surgery?

Which comes first in endometriosis management: In vitro fertilization or surgery? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be 7%–10%, but among infertile women, it increases up to 50%. Early diagnosis and personalized management are important to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Self-management of endometriosis symptoms: from Australia

Self-management of endometriosis symptoms: from Australia By Demet Candaş Green

Effective self-management techniques and lifestyle changes may play an important role in the management of endometriosis symptoms by many women. Due to various reasons such as limited effectiveness of some medications, potential side effects, availability of medical resources, self-desire to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma, Fertility, and Assisted Reproduction

Endometrioma, Fertility, and Assisted Reproduction By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis can negatively impact a woman’s health and quality of life. Surgery has been considered the primary treatment to overcome infertility in cases of ovarian endometrioma. Patients struggling with endometriosis often pursue assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to fertility issues.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Extra-ovarian malignancies risk among women with endometriosis

Extra-ovarian malignancies risk among women with endometriosis By Yu Yu

For some time, an association between endometriosis and subsequent cancer risk have been reported. In particular, scientific evidence has shown that endometriosis is linked with risk of certain ovarian cancer subtypes known as clear cell and endometrioid. Since endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Building an ultrasonographic database for superficial endometriosis.

Building an ultrasonographic database for superficial endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Chowdary et al. from University of Auckland, Australia, recently published a retrospective, small group study in Australian New Zeland Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to demonstrate ultrasonographic findings of mild endometriosis patients with pelvic pain are associated with their laparoscopic diagnosis.…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association between the development of endometriosis and dietary habits

The association between the development of endometriosis and dietary habits By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is a chronic disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be approximately 10% in the general population. Endometriosis is associated with infertility, pelvic pain, and increased…

Key Points Lay Summary

Additional research in understanding the causative link between Notch signaling and endometriosis

Additional research in understanding the causative link between Notch signaling and endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dustin M. Brown and associates from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences published their unique complex molecular research in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. This study group previously showed that decreased expression of the progesterone receptor (PGR) resulted from…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women with Persistent Pelvic Pain Have a Lower Pain Threshold

Women with Persistent Pelvic Pain Have a Lower Pain Threshold By Özge Özkaya

Women with persistent pelvic pain, whether this is caused by endometriosis or other reason, have a significantly reduced pain threshold compared to women without persistent pelvic pain. This is according to a study by researchers in Sweden, which was published…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and female pelvic pain in all aspects

Endometriosis and female pelvic pain in all aspects By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence of the disease ranges between 6-10% in reproductive-aged women. However, endometriosis is more frequently encountered in women with chronic pelvic pain and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The relationship between periodontal disease and endometriosis

The relationship between periodontal disease and endometriosis By Irem Onur

Thomas et al. have recently studied the association between endometriosis and periodontal disease which may share a common pathogenesis, and have published it in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences. The authors screened a total of50 women; 25 with and 25…

Key Points Lay Summary

Clonal Proliferation and Cancer Associated Mutations in normal uterine endometrium and endometriosis

Clonal Proliferation and Cancer Associated Mutations in normal uterine endometrium and endometriosis By Serdar Balci

Suda et. al., from Niigata University, Japan, has published the article entitled "Clonal Expansion and Diversification of Cancer-Associated Mutations in Endometriosis and Normal Endometrium" in Cell Reports. There are many theories for endometriosis development (retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, Müllerian remnants),…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vaginal Sexual Intercourse during Menstruation

Vaginal Sexual Intercourse during Menstruation By Irem Onur

Mazokopakis and Samonis from Greece examined and discussed the vaginal sexual intercourse during menstruation from a biblical as well as a modern medical point of view in their paper published in MAEDICA – a Journal of Clinical Medicine in September 2018.…

Key Points Lay Summary

HOXA-10 levels are related to infertility in endometriosis patients

HOXA-10 levels are related to infertility in endometriosis patients By Demet Candaş Green

The current study by Ozcan et al., published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology aimed to investigate the levels of HOXA-10 gene in fertile versus infertile women with endometriosis. HOXA-10 protein (expressed by HOXA-10 gene)…

Key Points Lay Summary

Somatic mutations in iatrogenic endometriosis.

Somatic mutations in iatrogenic endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Lac and al., from the Department of Molecular Oncology in BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, Canada, planned a retrospective and multinational research to investigate the prevalence of somatic cancer-driver mutations in incisional endometriosis and recently published in the "Journal of Human Reproduction". Their…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgical techniques for rectosigmoid endometriosis, and functional outcomes

Surgical techniques for rectosigmoid endometriosis, and functional outcomes By Hale Goksever Celik

Rectosigmoid endometriosis is defined as the infiltration of bowel wall with the endometrial-like glands and stroma, reaching at least the muscular layer. Rectosigmoid endometriosis is encountered in approximately 8-12% of patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis. The most commonly involved…

Key Points Lay Summary

New scientific evidence supporting robotic surgical approach to ureteric endometriosis

New scientific evidence supporting robotic surgical approach to ureteric endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Surgical treatment of ureteral endometriosis aims to relieve urinary obstruction besides preserving renal functions. In accomplishing these, the best method of surgical approach is still unclear. Andrea Giannini and her colleagues from the University of Pisa, Italy conducted a retrospective…

Key Points Lay Summary

Conservative Surgery May Be Sufficient to Halt the Development of Deep Endometriosis

Conservative Surgery May Be Sufficient to Halt the Development of Deep Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Deep endometriosis develops as a result of collective cell migration and nerve recruitment from surrounding organs, suggests a study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility.   Collective cell migration is the biological process whereby a group of cells moves…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association of endometriosis and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma

The association of endometriosis and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma By Irem Onur

Endometriosis is well known to cause chronic inflammation of the serosa and incite mesothelial hyperplasia. Although multilocular peritoneal inclusion cysts and well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma were reported to be associated with endometriosis, the association of malignant mesothelioma has not been reported…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is the mystery for progression of endometriosis hiding out in abnormally located endometrial cells?

Is the mystery for  progression of endometriosis hiding out in abnormally located endometrial cells? By Selma Oransay

This prospective study was conducted by Hapangama et al. in Research İnstute of the University of Liverpool, UK, and the results have recently published in the Journal of Human Reproduction. The authors hypothesized that abnormally located endometrial basalis-like (SSEA1/nSOX9+)cells could be contributing to…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of circulating microRNA's in Endometriosis

The role of circulating microRNA's in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This disease affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and 20% to 50% of infertile women. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is an essential transcriptional regulator coordinately regulating multiple genes involved in estrogen biosynthesis. SF-1 is known…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis-associated pain control by contraceptive implant or intrauterine system

Endometriosis-associated pain control by contraceptive implant or intrauterine system By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, all of which affect the quality of women’s lives. Several studies investigating the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors related to delay in endometriosis diagnosis

Factors related to delay in endometriosis diagnosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Moniek van der Zanden, a gynecologist from Netherlands has recently made a nationwide survey on the impact of key recommendations of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) guidelines on endometriosis and aimed to assess factors influencing diagnostic delay of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does the presence of endometriosis increase the risk of gynecologic malignancies?

Does the presence of endometriosis increase the risk of gynecologic malignancies? By Serdar Balci

Endometriosis shares common risk factors with endometrial carcinoma and ovarian carcinomas such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperestrogenism, and reproductive characteristics. Endometriosis is also known to be a risk factor for gynecologic malignant tumors. In this study, Li et.al. have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Extragenital endometriosis and ultrasound

Extragenital endometriosis and ultrasound By Irem Onur

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive imaging method with no exposure to radiation. There are a few reports on the use of CEUS in the assessment of endometriosis in the literature. Dong et al. reported 3 histopathologically proven cases of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Lipophilic Statins inhibit growth and invasiveness of human endometrial cells

Lipophilic Statins inhibit growth and invasiveness of human endometrial cells By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease process whereby cells of the endometrium grow and invade structures outside of the uterus. Through recent research, it has been seen that endometriotic foci in women with endometriosis exhibit an altered phenotype that contributes to its…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can we Inhibit the Survival of Endometriosis?

Can we Inhibit the Survival of Endometriosis? By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological inflammatory disease. The current anti-estrogen therapies can be prescribed only for a short time due to the undesirable side effects on menstruation, pregnancy, bone health, and recurrence. Therefore, the development of specific therapy which targets…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pelvic pain, congenital genital tract anomalies and endometriosis

Pelvic pain, congenital genital tract anomalies and endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Any failure during development and differentiation of female genital tract results in congenital tract anomalies. The origin of the hymen is the union of the caudal portion of the paramesonephric ducts and the urogenital sinus. It functions as a mechanical…

Key Points Lay Summary

What clinicians know about adenomyosis? Any association with severe endometriosis?

What clinicians know about adenomyosis? Any association with severe endometriosis? By Selma Oransay

Dior et al. from the Royal Women's Hospital in Parkville, Australia, designed a prospective study to assess the association between severity of endometriosis and sonographic evidence of adenomyosis (SEOA) in their recently published article appearing in The Journal of Minimally…

Key Points Lay Summary

Presumed molecular mechanisms for herbal medicinal therapies in endometriosis

Presumed molecular mechanisms for herbal medicinal therapies in endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Pharmaceutical agents for the management of endometriosis are associated with side effects and are not completely effective. In regard to this, Bina and associates from Tehran University of Medical Sciences have reviewed extensively the literature for herbal remedies. Herbal medicinal products…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic mesenteric vascular and nerve sparing surgery as a tool for DIE resection

Laparoscopic mesenteric vascular and nerve sparing surgery as a tool for DIE resection By Murat Osman

Endometriosis can be characterized by a wide range of clinical aggressiveness based upon the location, character, and growth of ectopic endometrial implants. As one of the most aggressive forms of endometriosis, deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is known to involve the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are women with histologically confirmed endometriosis satisfied with their medical support?

Are women with histologically confirmed endometriosis satisfied with their medical support? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, dyschesia, dysuria, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and infertility, all of which affect the quality of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of "Quercetin" on endometriosis

 Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of By Dr. Youngran Park

Quercetin is a major flavonol that is mainly derived from capers and involves a daily consumption of approximately 25–50 mg through various vegetables. In recent studies, Quercetin is reported as a functional compound in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This compound…

Key Points Lay Summary

Not True That Women With Endometriosis Can’t Conceive

Not True That Women With Endometriosis Can’t Conceive By Özge Özkaya

The common assertion that women with endometriosis are unlikely to conceive is countered by a new study published in The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. This finding supports the need for healthcare and information to address all…

Key Points Lay Summary

The use of Elagolix in Women with Liver and Kidney Impairments

The use of Elagolix in Women with Liver and Kidney Impairments By Özge Özkaya

Elagolix may be used in women with moderate liver impairment, when necessary, for up to six months at a dose of 150 mg a day, according to a study published in the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Progesterone Receptor Status in Endometriosis

Progesterone Receptor Status in Endometriosis By Serdar Balci

Some patients do not respond to progesterone hormone therapy. In this study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the authors led by Hugh S. Taylor from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences from Yale…

Key Points Lay Summary

Programmed-cell death pathway and immune dysfunction in endometriosis

Programmed-cell death pathway and immune dysfunction in endometriosis By Irem Onur

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, immune-associated disease. Women with endometriosis have different proportions of the activated forms of immunocompetent cells, such as T cells and macrophages compared to those from women without. Immune cell dysfunction in the uterine and abdominal cavity…

Key Points Lay Summary

Drugs targeting estrogen biosynthesis opening up new approaches to the treatment of endometriosis.

Drugs targeting estrogen biosynthesis opening up new approaches to the treatment of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Gibson et al., from the Univerity of Edinburgh, UK, take over a new interest about endometriosis occurrence and progress by endometrial tissue intracrinology in their recently online published article in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The authors summarize the last…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to predict natural conception in women underwent endometriosis surgery?

How to predict natural conception in women underwent endometriosis surgery? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The prevalence of endometriosis increases in the infertile population. Thus, the important…

Key Points Lay Summary

The pain and its severity in deeply infiltrating endometriosis patients

The pain and its severity in deeply infiltrating endometriosis patients By Selma Oransay

Liang et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China, recently published an interesting paper in the Journal of Pain Research, a prospective study to reveal the relationship between neurogenesis and other potential…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does ovarian endometrioma damage the ovarian reserve?

Does ovarian endometrioma damage the ovarian reserve? By Dr. Youngran Park

Ovarian endometriomas are commonly present in 17% to 44% of women with endometriosis and are often associated with infertility and pelvic pain. There are several treatment options including surgical treatment. Cyst excision is associated with better results in terms of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Four cases of endometrioid borderline ovarian tumour: case reports and literature review

Four cases of endometrioid borderline ovarian tumour: case reports and literature review By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Physicians from Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, report four cases of ovarian EBTs and a review literature in a recently published manuscript at British Medical Journal, case reports. Endometrioid borderline tumors (EBTs) of the ovary are uncommon…

Key Points Lay Summary

The diagnosis and management of endometriosis in Korea

The diagnosis and management of endometriosis in Korea By Selma Oransay

The Korean Society of Endometriosis has scrutinized the present published literature of endometriosis in the domestic and international platform to provide new guidelines and the clinical management of the disease. The study was recently published in the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology…

Key Points Lay Summary

A novel neurotransmitter, Ninj1, has been found to be expressed in endometriosis

A novel neurotransmitter, Ninj1, has been found to be expressed in endometriosis By Irem Onur

Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and adenomyosis, and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b are highly expressed in them. Inflammation and subsequent hyperinnervation are involved in the pathophysiology of pain generation. High levels of expression of various…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can MRI be used to detect anterior pelvic endometriotic lesions?

Can MRI be used to detect anterior pelvic endometriotic lesions? By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is the most severe manifestation of endometriosis. It is defined as the infiltration of ectopic endometrial tissue under the peritoneum, pelvic structures, and the organ walls such as the uterosacral ligaments, colon, vagina, bladder, ureter, rectovaginal septum,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Programmed cell death 4 suppresses endometriosis by inhibiting autophagy and NF-κB/MMP2/MMP9 signal pathway

Programmed cell death 4 suppresses endometriosis by inhibiting autophagy and NF-κB/MMP2/MMP9 signal pathway By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a kind of benign disease but shares many similar features with cancers, such as abnormal cell migration, invasion, and unrestrained growth. It has been known that some genes are expressed differentially in eutopic endometrium of EM patients compared…

Key Points Lay Summary

Anatomic distribution of endometriosis

Anatomic distribution of endometriosis By Irem Onur

In the study of Audebert et al. which has been published in the journal European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the anatomic distribution of endometriosis, the rate of deep infiltrating endometriosis during the various study periods, laterality of endometriosis, pelvic…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Ovarian Endometriomas and DIE affect ART outcomes

How Ovarian Endometriomas and DIE affect ART outcomes By Murat Osman

Previous studies have evaluated the impact of an ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve and its impact on the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes have controversial results.  ART is a method by which a woman’s own hormones are used…

Key Points Lay Summary

Maternal and fetal outcomes in women with endometriosis : A review and meta-analysis

Maternal and fetal outcomes in women with endometriosis : A review and meta-analysis By Selma Oransay

Lalani et al from Dept. of Obstet. and Gynecol. , University of Ottowa, Canada, recently published this systemic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in the Journal of Human Reproduction, aimed to present the difference in the maternal and fetal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Endometriosis-Related Infertility Be Genetic?

Could Endometriosis-Related Infertility Be Genetic? By Özge Özkaya

Researchers identified genetic polymorphisms or individual differences in two genes called AMA5 and KAZN among women with endometriosis who were infertile and control women who were fertile. The identification of these polymorphisms could help scientists better understand why some women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-assisted reproductive technology treatment: Is it effective in infertile patients with advanced endometriosis?

Non-assisted reproductive technology treatment: Is it effective in infertile patients with advanced endometriosis? By Hale Goksever Celik

The marriage and childbearing ages delay due to the life-style changes in developed countries. As a result, advanced age becomes a major concern in infertility treatments which consist of non-ART and ART modalities. Non-ART treatments include mild ovarian stimulation together…

Key Points Lay Summary

PROPOFOL: a new combat for endometriosis?

PROPOFOL: a new combat for endometriosis? By Selma Oransay

Feng et al, from the Department of  Gynecology Weifang Medical University Hospital, Shandong, China, recently published their prospective experimental research in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. Propofol, a rapid and short-term anesthetic substance, recently has been shown to prevent cancer through inhibiting…

Key Points Lay Summary

Parametrial endometriosis: A harder form of endometriosis

Parametrial endometriosis: A harder form of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is the most severe manifestation of endometriosis, affecting 20% of all patients with endometriosis. It is defined as the infiltration of ectopic endometrial tissue under the peritoneum, pelvic structures, and the organ walls such as the uterosacral…

Key Points Lay Summary

Quality of life for women with endometriosis

Quality of life for women with endometriosis By Irem Onur

Endometriosis symptoms may cause difficulties in daily activities and social life, altering general health and personal relationships and severely decrease the quality of life. Yoldemir T. evaluates the factors affecting the quality of life in endometriosis patients and the management strategies in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vitamin D and Endometriosis

Vitamin D and Endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Scientists from Milan, Italy reviewed the effects of vitamin D on the reproductive health, and in particular "endometriosis" in their article which appeared in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Vitamin D (VD), is a steroid hormone that is activated in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis involvement of the pouch of Douglas: TVUS vs pelvic exam

Endometriosis involvement of the pouch of Douglas: TVUS vs pelvic exam By Murat Osman

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can lead to a partial or complete obliteration of the pouch of Douglas (POD). POD involvement has been associated with dyschezia, deep dyspareunia, and increased infertility rates. Assessing the extent of endometriosis involvement of the cul-de-sac allows…

Key Points Lay Summary

Will I Have Complications After Endometriosis Surgery?

Will I Have Complications After Endometriosis Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

The rate of complications after surgery to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis is low, confirmed a study by researchers in Germany. It is important to know whether major or minor complications following surgery are likely to develop and what the outcome…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic surgery of endometriosis through three compartments

Laparoscopic surgery of endometriosis through three compartments By Selma Oransay

This case study which is published in the J. of Minimally İnvasive Gynecology is the video demonstration of Collin et al who performed the laparoscopic operation of their patient in Gynecologic Surgery Department of Strasburg Hospital University, France. 37 years old…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to preserve fertility in women with “ovarian endometriosis”?

How to preserve fertility in women with “ovarian endometriosis”? By Hale Goksever Celik

Although there are many treatment modalities in endometriosis, optimal treatment has not been developed yet. The aim of the treatment is to reduce pain, to preserve and improve fertility and to delay recurrence. Ovarian ischemic and perfusion damage during endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Kidney Hormone Potential Treatment for Endometriosis?

Kidney Hormone Potential Treatment for Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys to promote the production of red blood cells could be a promising candidate for the treatment of endometriosis. This is according to a study published in the Journal Of The Turkish-German Gynecological Association by…

Key Points Lay Summary

MTA1 as a predictor for the progression of endometriosis.

MTA1 as a predictor for the progression of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Jing Zhang et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Xiangya Medical College of Central South University, Hainan, China, published their article in the open access medical journal "Medicine". Their aim was to evaluate the relationship between…

Key Points Lay Summary

BRAF: A Key Suspect in the Endometriosis Mystery

BRAF: A Key Suspect in the Endometriosis Mystery By Kasthuri Nair

LV et al., a group of researchers from China, recently published a study titled “Analysis of the oncogene BRAF mutation and the correlation of the expression of wild-type BRAF and CREB1 in endometriosis” in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine.…

Key Points Lay Summary

A rare location of endometriosis: Perineum

A rare location of endometriosis: Perineum By Timur Seckin

A rare case of perineal endometriosis is reported by Dr. Ravikant, from India, and has been recently published in the "Journal of Medical Ultrasound".  The patient, a 28-year-old woman with one living child, presented with a 6-month history of a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Shedding light on the fertility preservation debate in women with endometriosis: a swot analysis.

Shedding light on the fertility preservation debate in women with endometriosis: a swot analysis. By Deniz Kocas

There is little known about fertility preservation in women with endometriosis. Researchers from France and Switzerland conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to better understand this topic. Applied to clinical problems, SWOT gives a thorough analysis of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fighting with endometriosis

Fighting with endometriosis By Irem Onur

Maduro M.R. reviewed three separate studies on potential new targets to successfully manage endometriosis in her recent paper titled “Novel Strategies to Fight Endometriosis” published in the journal Reproductive Sciences. In the autotransplantation rat model of Torres-Reveron et al., the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Surgery Reduces Pain and Improves Quality of Life

Endometriosis Surgery Reduces Pain and Improves Quality of Life By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis surgery improves pelvic and sexual pain according to a study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. This improvement stays stable over time meaning that the benefits of surgery last for years. In order to assess the effect…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cosmetics and some household products could be responsible for worsening endometriosis.

Cosmetics and some household products could be responsible for worsening endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

A controlled clinical study recently published in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences,  composed by Nazir et al. from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. The study compared the blood diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) levels of fifty infertile women laparoscopically diagnosed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal ultrasound for "rectosigmoid endometriosis" diagnosis: Is bowel preparation necessary?

Transvaginal ultrasound for By Hale Goksever Celik

Rectosigmoid endometriosis is a severe form of deep endometriosis. Women having rectosigmoid endometriosis present with pain and several intestinal complains such as constipation, diarrhea, intestinal cramping, abdominal bloating, feeling of incomplete evacuation, the passage of mucus and rectal bleeding during…

Key Points Lay Summary

Toxic Pelvic Cavity and Infertility

Toxic Pelvic Cavity and Infertility By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity and has an incidence of approximately 10% in women of reproductive age. Thus, it is an important consideration in chronic pelvic pain and infertility…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reduced pain and increased fertiliy rates after surgery for colorectal endometriosis

Reduced pain and increased fertiliy rates after surgery for colorectal endometriosis By Selma Oransay

This prospective cohort study which recently published in AOGS by Hudelist et al. from Oslo University, Norway is about their one hundred thirty-four laparoscopic operations of DIE cases performed between 2011 and  2016, in a tertiary center in Oslo. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

IVF Is the Best Option to Become Pregnant for Women with Severe Endometriosis, or Is It Not?

IVF Is the Best Option to Become Pregnant for Women with Severe Endometriosis, or Is It Not? By Özge Özkaya

Treating rectal endometriosis with surgery seems to increase the chance of a woman conceiving, with most pregnancies occurring naturally. This is according to a study published in the medical journal Human Reproduction.  The optimal treatment for women with severe endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrioma and endometriosis

Endometrioma and endometriosis By Irem Onur

Exacoustos C. et al. published an article titled “The isolated ovarian endometrioma: a history between myth and reality” in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology in 2018. They aimed to examine the association between ovarian endometriomas detectable at the transvaginal ultrasound…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to evaluate ureteral endometriosis : A review of the literature

How to evaluate ureteral endometriosis :  A review of the  literature By Selma Oransay

In this recently published review of the literature, Barra et al. from Genova, Italy intend to provide a useful tool to guide physicians in the management of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Authors elected 67 abstracts from Pubmed and Medline in accordance with PRISMA…

Key Points Lay Summary

Molecular Susceptibility to Endometriosis

Molecular Susceptibility to Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Fayez et al., a group of researchers from various institutions in Iran, recently published a paper in the Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology titled “Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphisms and the Risk of Endometriosis.” This study focused on the relationship between…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in adolescents

Endometriosis in adolescents By Irem Onur

Dr. Mama S. T. from Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey, USA, recently has published his review on advances in the management of endometriosis in the adolescent in the journal “Current Opinion Obstetrics and Gynecology”. In adolescence, there is a…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Better Way to Diagnose Endometriosis?

A Better Way to Diagnose Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Three proteins found in the blood and endometrial tissues could be used to determine the stage of endometriosis and the severity of painful periods according to a study published in the journal Current Medical Science. Evaluating the levels of these…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis as a chronic disease: The benefits for the patients

Endometriosis as a chronic disease: The benefits for the patients By Selma Oransay

Rebecca O'Hara et al. from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, recently published their qualitative case study in the Journal "Australian Health Review", to build a National Policy about endometriosis considering as a chronic disease.    In Australia, long-term complex diseases are managed…

Key Points Lay Summary

How are endometriosis patients managed clinically?

How are endometriosis patients managed clinically? By Irem Onur

This review paper by Falcone and Flyckt, entitled “Clinical Management of Endometriosis” published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology aims to summarize the current strategies for treating endometriosis patients with pain, pelvic dysfunction, and subfertility related to their disease. There are many…

Key Points Lay Summary

Should I Have Surgery Before Trying to Conceive?

Should I Have Surgery Before Trying to Conceive? By Özge Özkaya

The presence of rectouterine nodules is associated with a lower chance of becoming pregnant with in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a study published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. This finding is important as it can…

Key Points Lay Summary

The vaginal delivery rate of singleton term pregnancies still remains the same after total deep infiltrating endometrosis excisions

The vaginal delivery rate of singleton term pregnancies still remains the same after total deep infiltrating endometrosis excisions By Selma Oransay

This recently published report in the Journal of Fertility Sterility is planned as a  matched case-control study, by Nirgianakanis et al. from the University of Bern, Switzerland. Authors claimed their study is the first because previous studies on pregnancy outcome after laparoscopic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Prior endometriosis surgery and the risk of pregnancy complications

Prior endometriosis surgery and the risk of pregnancy complications By Irem Onur

Koninckx et al. discussed the association of pregnancy complications with endometriosis and endometriosis surgery in their recently published paper in the journal Fertility and Sterility. They especially mentioned about the retrospective study of Nirgianakis et al. published in the same…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vitamin C supplementation in the patients with endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

Vitamin C supplementation in the patients with endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. Women having endometriosis present with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Thus, infertility remains a significant problem for women with endometriosis. Endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Complementary treatments for endometriosis symptoms: acupuncture, exercise, electrotherapy, or yoga?

Complementary treatments for endometriosis symptoms: acupuncture, exercise, electrotherapy, or yoga? By Yu Yu

Endometriosis is associated with debilitating symptoms in some women including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria. There are a few therapeutic options to treat these symptoms; however, only a few studies have considered treating the pain symptoms…

Key Points Lay Summary

GnRH Analogues Not Beneficial For Superovulation and Intrauterine Insemination

GnRH Analogues Not Beneficial For Superovulation and Intrauterine Insemination By Kasthuri Nair

Bansal et al, a group of authors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, recently published a paper titled “The Role of GnRH Analogues in Improving Outcome in Women Undergoing Superovulation and Intrauterine Insemination after Surgical Correction of Mild…

Key Points Lay Summary

Coumarin based compounds found to inhibit the estradiol synthesis pathway

Coumarin based compounds found to inhibit the estradiol synthesis pathway By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue outside the endometrium. Several biochemical and molecular pathways have been researched and used to alleviate endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting key molecules involved in the menstrual cycle. This review paper by Niinivehmas…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comparing opioid and nonopioid therapy for chronic pain

Comparing opioid and nonopioid therapy for chronic pain By Deniz Kocas

Over the last few decades, North-America and Europe show continued increase in prescription rates of opioids. Evidence shows significant pain reduction with opioids in the short term compared to placebo, however whether opioids are superior to non-opioids even in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Fluorescence Guided Surgery: a New Technique to Treat Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Fluorescence Guided Surgery: a New Technique to Treat Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Fluorescence-guided surgery could help differentiate recto-vaginal deep infiltrating endometriosis nodules (RVDIEN) from healthy rectal tissue and remove them successfully without perforating the rectum, according to a study published in the scientific journal Surgical Innovation.  The method could offer a better,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The role of peritoneal washings in the diagnosis of endometriosis

The role of peritoneal washings in the diagnosis of endometriosis By Irem Onur

Endometriosis is a common entity seen in the gynecologic tract and pelvic surfaces. It may be frequently asymptomatic and/or undiagnosed at the time of gynecologic surgery. Pathologists diagnose endometriosis based on the presence of at least two of the following elements: endometrial glands,…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to improve the current ASRM classification of endometriosis?

How to improve the current ASRM classification of endometriosis? By Selma Oransay

In this article which recently published in Best Practice&Research Clinical Obst&Gyn.  from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Andres et al.  penned a review of the classification of endometriosis in chronological order, and discussed the limitations of existing classification systems to…

Key Points Lay Summary

CARD10 and CARD11 Mutations: Another Piece of the Puzzle

CARD10 and CARD11 Mutations: Another Piece of the Puzzle By Kasthuri Nair

Zou et al., a research group from China, recently published a study titled “Analysis of CARD10 and CARD11 somatic mutations in patients with ovarian endometriosis” in Oncology Letters. The paper looked at the effects of caspase recruitment domain family member…

Key Points Lay Summary

Oxidative Stress and Endometriosis

Oxidative Stress and Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue outside the endometrium and is associated with a background of a chronic inflammation. Recent studies have aimed to elucidate the inflammatory mediators involved in endometriotic lesions by studying immune cell interactions,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can we predict the complexity of laparoscopic surgery by ultrasound?

Can we predict the complexity of laparoscopic surgery by ultrasound? By Selma Oransay

This is a multicentric, retrospective cohort study recently published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology by Tompsett et al. in which the results of the transvaginal ultrasonographic examinations (TVS) are compared to the results of the laparoscopic operations performed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could the Sleep Hormone Treat Endometriosis?

Could the Sleep Hormone Treat Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Melatonin blocks cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in both normal and endometriotic epithelial cells, according to a study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. Melatonin could, therefore, be a potential treatment for endometriosis  The formation and progression…

Key Points Lay Summary

Health-related quality of life in women with Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Health-related quality of life in women with Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is defined by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Unfortunately, endometriosis continues to be a leading cause of chronic pelvic pain and long-term morbidity in women of reproductive age.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Development: Pathogenesis and genomics

Endometriosis Development: Pathogenesis and genomics By Selma Oransay

In this review recently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Baranow et al from Saint Petersburg, Russia,  hypothesize the existence of an endometriosis development genetic program (EMDP) that governs the origin of endometrium stem cells programmed for endometriosis; their transition…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association between endometriosis, adenomyosis and preterm delivery

The association between endometriosis, adenomyosis and preterm delivery By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are diseases of the same spectrum which have common features and coexist in some but not all patients. Both diseases are characterized by endometrial implants outside of the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is defined as the localization of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Polymorphism of IL12B May Help Solve Endometriosis

Polymorphism of IL12B May Help Solve Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Zhao et al. recently published a paper titled “A functional promoter polymorphism in interleukin 12B gene is associated with an increased risk of ovarian endometriosis” in Gene. The research group from Hebei Medical University wanted to explore the potential roles…

Key Points Lay Summary

Detecting endometriosis using peripheral blood

Detecting endometriosis using peripheral blood By Yu Yu

Laparoscopic visualization of endometriotic lesions with histological confirmation is the gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis. However, this diagnostic procedure, due to the need for laparoscopy and variability of disease/symptoms, can have a major delay up to 8-10 years…

Key Points Lay Summary

The pathogenesis of endometriosis : New discoveries with clinical impact

 The pathogenesis of endometriosis : New discoveries with clinical impact By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

In this recent review article that appeared in Current Women’s Health Reviews, compiled by researchers from the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Human Genetics, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience Frankfurt, Germany the following important points in regard to the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Doctor's Guide to Making Endometriosis Less Scary

A Doctor's Guide to Making Endometriosis Less Scary By Kasthuri Nair

Canis, Bourdel, and Chauvet, doctors from CHU Estaing, recently published an article titled “Endometriosis: frightening the patients is not an acceptable alternative to inadequate surgical management and or pathophysiology ignorance” in Fertility and Sterility. Their paper delineated proper health practices…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction

Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction By Deniz Kocas

Cognitive appraisals have been shown to have an effect on the experience of pain. Notably, perceived injustice and pain catastrophizing have been shown to play a role, but are rarely examined together. In addition, variability in appraisal processes has been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Personalised Medicine for Endometriosis?

Personalised Medicine for Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

The lining of the uterus of women with endometriosis is different from that of women without the disease even if they have chronic pelvic pain found a study published in the scientific journal Biology of Reproduction. The difference is found…

Key Points Lay Summary

Alternative Solutions: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Endometriosis Pain

Alternative Solutions: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Endometriosis Pain By Kasthuri Nair

Bi and Xie, researchers from The Yan’an People’s Hospital, recently published the results of their retrospective study titled “Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for endometriosis-associated pain” in Medicine. The study hoped to elucidate the effects of using a complementary and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Epigenetic link between endometriosis and cancer

Epigenetic link between endometriosis and cancer By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Although endometriosis is considered a benign condition the cellular, histologic, and molecular data strongly demonstrate that endometriosis has neoplastic characteristics. There is strong evidence that endometriosis shares striking features with malignancy like normal tissue dissemination, invasion, and organ damage, as well as new vessel formation (neoangiogenesis).  In…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there a definitive guideline for the surgical management of endometriosis?

Is there a definitive guideline for the surgical management of endometriosis? By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is defined by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Unfortunately, endometriosis continues to be a leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. This article titled,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Predictors of psychological distress

Predictors of psychological distress By Deniz Kocas

Studies have now established that endometriosis can negatively impact mental health and quality of life, however, some studies show that not all women with endometriosis are necessarily more distressed than healthy women. This suggests that individual differences may explain women’s’…

Key Points Lay Summary

Key to Understanding Ovarian Endometriosis may lay in the Peptides

Key to Understanding Ovarian Endometriosis may lay in the Peptides By Kasthuri Nair

Xue et al. recently published a paper titled “Peptidomic Analysis of Endometrial Tissue from Patients with Ovarian Endometriosis” in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. The research group from various departments of Nanjing Medical University wished to better understand the pathogenesis of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Oral Contraceptives and Low-Cost Progestins to Reduce Endometriosis-Associated Pain

Oral Contraceptives and Low-Cost Progestins to Reduce Endometriosis-Associated Pain By Özge Özkaya

Most women with endometriosis-associated pain did not feel the need to use expensive progestin or undergo surgery. Instead, they were satisfied with a low-cost progestin to treat their symptoms. This is according to a study published in the journal Fertility…

Key Points Lay Summary

What is being done to help surgeons detect endometriosis during laparoscopy

What is being done to help surgeons detect endometriosis during laparoscopy By Murat Osman

The gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis is diagnostic laparoscopy and histologic confirmation. During laparoscopy, visualization of as many lesions as possible may hold better long-term clinical outcomes. Peritoneal endometriosis is difficult to diagnose intraoperatively due to the heterogeneity…

Key Points Lay Summary

Link Between Type of Endometriosis and Cancer

Link Between Type of Endometriosis and Cancer By Özge Özkaya

The type of endometriosis a woman has could determine her risk of gynecologic cancer, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. This is important because it means that those women who are at a higher risk…

Key Points Lay Summary

Catching Endometriosis Early

Catching Endometriosis Early By Kasthuri Nair

Li et al., a group primarily from Sun Yat-sen University in the People’s Republic of China, recently published an article titled “Endometrium metabolomic profiling reveals potential biomarkers for diagnosis of endometriosis at minimal-mild stages” in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Altered Immunity in Endometriosis

Altered Immunity in Endometriosis By Yu Yu

In recent years, there has been increased attention on the role of immune system in endometriosis development. Normally, immune reactions are supposed to destroy endometrial cells seeding in the peritoneal cavity. Nonetheless, in endometriosis, these cells are able to evade,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ambiguous experience: Destructive or Constructive

Ambiguous experience: Destructive or Constructive By Deniz Kocas

A diagnostic delay of 4-12 years is reported among women with endometriosis, which is explained by the lack of awareness of endometriosis as a medical condition among patients and healthcare professionals. In searching for a diagnosis, patients encounter many healthcare…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Gabapentin Make my Pain Go Away?

Could Gabapentin Make my Pain Go Away? By Özge Özkaya

Gabapentin could effectively reduce endometriosis-associated pain, according to a new study published in the Journal of Pain Research. The study that was conducted in mice and endometriotic tissues from patients suggests that certain proteins present on the surface of cells…

Key Points Lay Summary

Patient-centered endometriosis care

Patient-centered endometriosis care By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as endometrial glands and stroma that exist outside the uterine cavity. Ectopic endometrial tissue and resultant inflammation can cause dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pain, and infertility, all of which reduce the quality of life. The aim of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Difficulties Associated with Diagnosing Ascites and Encapsulating Peritonitis in Endometriosis

Difficulties Associated with Diagnosing Ascites and Encapsulating Peritonitis in Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

De Magalhães et al. recently published a paper titled “Ascites and Encapsulating Peritonitis in Endometriosis: a Systematic Review with a Case Report” in Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. The team from the Universidade Federal do Ceará and the Universidade…

Key Points Lay Summary

Will my Endometriosis Respond to Hormone Therapy?

Will my Endometriosis Respond to Hormone Therapy? By Özge Özkaya

Every woman has a different set of hormone receptors in the lining of their uterus. Yet, hormone-based therapies that are used to treat women with endometriosis do not take into consideration these differences among patients. Analyzing, which particular hormone receptors…

Key Points Lay Summary

A clearer picture of "endometriosis after menopause"

A clearer picture of By Irem Onur

Delfin Avendano Tan and Marie Josephine Guanlao Almeria are obstetrician-gynecologists from the Philippines. They recently published a review article titled "Postmenopausal endometriosis: drawing a clearer picture". In this paper, the authors discussed the pathogenesis, risk factors, and management of postmenopausal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Psychosocial impact of endometriosis

Psychosocial impact of endometriosis By Deniz Kocas

In this review article, researchers from Switzerland report a review to outline the consequences of endometriosis on the psychological, sexual, and interpersonal functioning of both patients and their partners, in the journal Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Therapeutic strategies involving uterine stem cells in reproductive medicine

Therapeutic strategies involving uterine stem cells in reproductive medicine By Murat Osman

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that often serve to regenerate tissue in states of injury or apoptosis. The endometrium has progenitor cells that replace tissue lost after each menstrual cycle. It has been postulated that excessive stem cell recruitment to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Abnormal Regulation of Pathways Seen in Endometriosis

Abnormal Regulation of Pathways Seen in Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Sikora et al., a team from the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, published a study in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics titled “The role of complement components C1q, MBL and C1 inhibitor in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.” It has been said that complement system…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stenoses in the colorectal anastomose sites after DIE surgery

Stenoses in the colorectal anastomose sites after DIE surgery By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a particular form of endometriosis that penetrates at least 5 mm under the peritoneal surface. DIE is primarily located in the rectosigmoid junction and the rectum with an incidence of 70% and 90%, respectively. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Way to Better Diagnose Colorectal Endometriosis

A Way to Better Diagnose Colorectal Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy (CTC) can make the assessment of colorectal endometriosis more accurate. This is important because it can help doctors plan the surgery better and inform their patients. In order to evaluate…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-coding RNAs in endometriosis

Non-coding RNAs in endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

The pathophysiological mechanisms causing the development of endometriosis, which is a heterogeneous disease remain enigmatic, and a lack of effective biomarkers necessitates surgical intervention for diagnosis. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules, which are important regulators of cellular function, have been implicated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Managing of endometriosis and associated ovarian cancer risk

Managing of endometriosis and associated ovarian cancer risk By Yu Yu

According to a number of studies, endometriosis is associated with moderate increase in ovarian cancer risk. This risk is elevated in subjects with a long-standing history of untreated ovarian endometriosis. Endometriosis is particularly associated with risk for certain histological subtypes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Emerging medical treatments for endometriosis

Emerging medical treatments for endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease whereby uterine tissue grows outside the walls of the uterus to the surfaces of other tissues in the body. It is a chronic disease and relies upon estrogen to grow and survive. Current medical therapies take…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is the Endometriosis Fertility Index Reliable?

Is the Endometriosis Fertility Index Reliable? By Kasthuri Nair

Zhang et al. recently published a paper titled “Prediction of Endometriosis Fertility Index in patients with endometriosis-associated infertility after laparoscopic treatment” in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The research group from the West China Second University Hospital in Sichuan University wanted to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Endometriosis Be Caused by Bacteria?

Could Endometriosis Be Caused by Bacteria? By Özge Özkaya

A new concept called the bacterial contamination hypothesis in endometriosis has been proposed for the first time by researchers in Japan. This means that new potential therapies approaches could exist for this condition in addition to the conventional estrogen-suppressing therapies.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Extending the Female Fertility Clock

Extending the Female Fertility Clock By Kasthuri Nair

Varela, Sanchez-de-Puerta, and Garcia-Velasco are a group of scientists from various institutions in Spain and they recently published a review article titled “Fertility, IVF and reproductive genetics” in Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this publication, the authors discussed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Increasing IVF Success Rates

Increasing IVF Success Rates  By Özge Özkaya

DuoStim or double ovarian stimulation is the most promising approach to increase the number of eggs collected to be used in IVF, according to a review article published in the journal Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Pain and infertility…

Key Points Lay Summary

S100A6 May be a Promising Target for Endometriosis Treatments

S100A6 May be a Promising Target for Endometriosis Treatments By Kasthuri Nair

Peng et al., a group primarily from the Zhejiang University Medical College, recently published a paper in Gynecological Endocrinology titled “Upregulation of S100A6 in patients with endometriosis and its role in ectopic endometrial stromal cells.” This paper delineates a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

HOXA10: A Culprit in Endometriosis Disease Progression

HOXA10: A Culprit in Endometriosis Disease Progression By Kasthuri Nair

Zheng et al., a group of authors from the Aerospace Center Hospital in Bejing and from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, recently published a paper in Reproductive Sciences entitled “Decreased Expression of HOXA10 May Activate the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis surgery and preservation of fertility, what surgeons should know

Endometriosis surgery and preservation of fertility, what surgeons should know By Murat Osman

Endometriosis can involve most of the pelvic organs including the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes and thus has the potential to cause infertility. This article titled, “Endometriosis surgery and preservation of fertility, what surgeons should know” written by H. Roman…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stem cell therapy for the premature ovarian failure 

Stem cell therapy for the premature ovarian failure  By Dr. Youngran Park

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is one of the common disorders found in women. The cause of POF is not fully known, but various factors have been suggested. In genetically, X and autosomes chromosome abnormalities could result in some POF. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Most Effective Embryo Transfer Strategy

Most Effective Embryo Transfer Strategy By Kasthuri Nair

Bourdon et al., a group of scientists mainly from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, recently published a paper in PLOS ONE titled “The deferred embryo transfer strategy improves cumulative pregnancy rates in endometriosis-related infertility: A retrospective matched cohort study.” This study…

Key Points Lay Summary

miRNAs, Could Be a Reliable Biomarker of Endometriosis

miRNAs, Could Be a Reliable Biomarker of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

miRNAs, small pieces of genetic material found in the blood could be used as a reliable marker to diagnose endometriosis, according to a study by U.S. researchers. They could also be used to follow the progression of the disease and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reproductive delay and social egg freezing

Reproductive delay and social egg freezing By Yu Yu

The data collected from Office for National Statistics in England and Wales has suggested a major shift in the timing of motherhood. In the mid-1970s, the average age of motherhood was 26.4 years of age to, while in 2016, it…

Key Points Lay Summary

Highlights Thoracic Endometriosis Case

Highlights Thoracic Endometriosis Case By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Tamer Seckin, MD, the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, was recently featured in a New York Times article titled “The Woman Was Fit and Healthy. Why Did Her Lung Mysteriously Collapse?” The article describes a rather unusual…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis From an Epigenetic Lens

Endometriosis From an Epigenetic Lens By Kasthuri Nair

Samadieh et al. from the Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, recently published an article in Reproductive Sciences titled “Epigenetic Dynamics of HOXA10 Gene in Infertile Women With Endometriosis.” In this paper, the researchers wanted to observe HOXA10 gene expression in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exercise can improve pelvic pain and posture associated with endometriosis

Exercise can improve pelvic pain and posture associated with endometriosis By Yu Yu

Nearly half of women affected by endometriosis have mild to severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Clinically, postural changes are frequently seen in CPP sufferers. These postural changes can include uneven positions, shortenings, antalgic postures, and tensions. Moreover, endometriosis is also…

Key Points Lay Summary

Picture This: 8K UHD Television System for Endometriosis Surgery

Picture This: 8K UHD Television System for Endometriosis Surgery By Kasthuri Nair

This case report by Aoki et al. was published in the journal "Videosurgery and Other Miniinvasive Techniques" under the title “Effect of an 8K ultra-high-definition television system in a case of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.” In this publication, the authors delineated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Using the "Mushroom Cap" sign to describe endometriotic masses

Using the By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease whereby ectopic endometrial cells attach and grow outside of the uterus. A number of imaging techniques have been used to evaluate and assess endometriotic lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging modality used…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endocrine and inflammatory factors in current understanding of endometriosis

Endocrine and inflammatory factors in current understanding of endometriosis By Yu Yu

There are three forms of endometriosis: peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating. All three forms consist of endometriotic lesions containing endometrial glands, stroma, nerves, blood vessels, and inflammatory cells. Endometriosis symptoms can be accounted by these elements and the involving organs.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrial stem cells and Endometriosis

Endometrial stem cells and Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Human endometrium is a cyclically proliferative tissue, and this monthly regeneration is likely mediated by endometrial stem (or progenitor) cells.The upper functional layer of the endometrium breaks down and is shed into the uterine cavity during menstruation. Re-epithelialization and repair…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis can Adversely Affect Oocyte Quality

Endometriosis can Adversely Affect Oocyte Quality By Kasthuri Nair

Kasapoglu et al. recently published a study in Gynecological Endocrinology titled “Detrimental effects of endometriosis on oocyte morphology in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a retrospective cohort study.” In this paper, they compared the oocytes recovered from women who have endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Long-Term Effect of Endometriosis

The Long-Term Effect of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis have a decreased pain tolerance even after fertile age and therefore require long-term treatment and psychological support Endometriosis has a long-term effect on the pain tolerance of women, suggests a study published in The Journal of Pain.…

Key Points Lay Summary

An Unusual Case "Free Floating Omental Endometrioma"

An Unusual Case By Kasthuri Nair

Capaccione et al. published an article in Radiology Case Reports titled “Massive endometrioma presenting with dyspnea and abdominal symptoms.” This publication is centered around a particularly unique case report of a woman who was ultimately diagnosed with endometriosis. The patient…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Chance of Getting Pregnant of a Woman with Endometriosis May Soon Be Predictable

The Chance of Getting Pregnant  of a Woman with Endometriosis May Soon Be Predictable By Özge Özkaya

Researchers have found a new way of predicting whether or not an embryo will be able to successfully implant into the womb of a woman with endometriosis. These findings could make it possible to predict whether she is likely to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Enhanced UGT1A1 Gene and Protein Expression in Endometriotic Lesions.

Enhanced UGT1A1 Gene and Protein Expression in Endometriotic Lesions. By Dr. Youngran Park

The estrogen plays an essential role in endometriosis. Lately, it is becoming evident that, besides the circulating levels of estrogens, the balance of synthesis versus inactivation (metabolism) of estrogens by intralesional steroid-metabolizing enzymes also determines the local net estrogen availability.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recurrence of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Recurrence of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Yu Yu

There are mainly three types of endometriotic lesions. These are ovarian endometriosis, superficial peritoneal endometriosis, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The latter is often described as a lesion with greater than 5 mm invasion of the peritoneal surface. DIE lesions…

Key Points Lay Summary

A How-To Guide for Endometriosis Surgery

A How-To Guide for Endometriosis Surgery By Kasthuri Nair

The European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), ESHRE, and the World Endometriosis Society (WES) recently published a document titled “Recommendations for the surgical treatment of endometriosis—part 1: ovarian endometriomas.” This publication provides surgeons with recommendations for the technical aspects of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menstrual Effluent Can Change the Future of Endometriosis

Menstrual Effluent Can Change the Future of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

During Endometriosis Awareness Month, Warren et al. published a paper entitled “Analysis of menstrual effluent: diagnostic potential for endometriosis” in Molecular Medicine. This paper relies heavily on the theory of retrograde menstruation, where menstrual effluent flows into the peritoneal cavity.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?

Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility? By Özge Özkaya

Infertility may be related to the localization of endometriosis involvement according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This finding is in agreement with the results of previous studies and could help clinicians in their decision…

Key Points Lay Summary

Another Marker to Predict the Outcome of IVF for Women with Endometriosis

Another Marker to Predict the Outcome of IVF for Women with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

AOPPs or advanced oxidative protein products may be new markers to predict egg quality and the outcomes of IVF in infertile women with endometriosis according to a study published in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. This finding suggests that anti-oxidative treatments…

Key Points Lay Summary

A review on the role of immune cells on the pathogenesis of endometriosis

A review on the role of immune cells on the pathogenesis of endometriosis By Murat Osman

Immune cells play a vital role in the homeostasis against infectious pathogens but also in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Recent research has suggested that different immune cells have unique roles in this pathogenesis. Neutrophils, which are typically the primary acute…

Key Points Lay Summary

Collaboration Between the Surgical and Medical Experts of Endometriosis Needed

Collaboration Between the Surgical and Medical Experts of Endometriosis Needed By Murat Osman

The authors of this perspective article aim to initiate a dialogue regarding the current evidence regarding the surgical and medical treatment of endometriosis. In their view, the quality of data regarding the outcomes of surgery for endometriosis is lacking and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis.

Irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis. By Dr. Youngran Park

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and endometriosis are two diseases affecting a significant part of the female population, either together or individually, with remarkable consequences in the quality of life. Several studies suggest an epidemiological association between them. Their association may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ectopic Pregnancy Risk Factors

Ectopic Pregnancy Risk Factors By Kasthuri Nair

Jacob, Kalder, and Kostev recently published an article titled “Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in Germany: a retrospective study of 100,197 patients” in German Medical Science. The retrospective German study hoped to elucidate the risk factors for ectopic pregnancies. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Inflammatory mediators in endometriosis pathogenesis

Inflammatory mediators in endometriosis pathogenesis By Yu Yu

Proinflammatory cytokines play an important function in mediating inflammatory reactions in chronic inflammatory diseases and in endometriosis. IL-32 is a new proinflammatory cytokine, and can also induce other proinflammatory cytokines in the body such as Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Past, Present, and Future of Diagnosing Endometriosis

The Past, Present, and Future of Diagnosing Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

This review titled “Endometriosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management” published in Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports examines the distribution and factors associated with endometriosis. The analysis by Parasar, Ozcan, and Terry also delineates potential biomarkers and risk factors that could…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Challenging Path to Diagnosis

The Challenging Path to Diagnosis By Kasthuri Nair

Kallia O. Wright, a professor at Illinois College, recently published her essay titled “You have Endometriosis”: Making Menstruation Related Pain Legitimate in a Biomedical World” in Health Communication. This essay delineates the author’s experience with endometriosis. The author started experiencing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Potential New Target to Treat Endometriosis?

Potential New Target to Treat Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Special cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) could be playing a role in the development of endometriosis, suggests a study published in the European Journal of Immunology.  These cells could, therefore, be targeted by novel therapeutic agents to treat endometriosis. …

Key Points Lay Summary

Blood vessels formation in endometriosis

Blood vessels formation in endometriosis By Yu Yu

The endometrium undergoes dynamic changes during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen-driven angiogenesis is associated with the proliferative phase, and progesterone-driven vascular maturation occurs in the secretory phase. Hence, it is reasonable that the vascularization of endometriosis is also under complex regulation…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can Getting Pregnant Make my Pain Go Away?

Can Getting Pregnant Make my Pain Go Away? By Özge Özkaya

The association between pregnancy and symptoms of endometriosis are controversial and strongly biased, and there is no evidence suggesting that pregnancy reduces the size and number of endometriotic lesions, according to a study published in the journal Human Reproduction Update.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Switching to a Low-Cost Progestin May Help Reduce Endo Pain When Oral Contraceptives Won’t Work

Switching to a Low-Cost Progestin May Help Reduce Endo Pain When Oral Contraceptives Won’t Work By Özge Özkaya

The majority of women with endometriosis-associated pain were satisfied to have switched to a treatment with norethisterone acetate or NETA, a synthetic, orally active progestin, when their oral contraceptive was ineffective, found a study published in the journal Reproductive Sciences.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Elevated Neutrophil Traps in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Elevated Neutrophil Traps in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Yu Yu

Neutrophils are a part of the innate immune system and act as a first-line host defense system by phagocytosis, intracellular killing and more recently describes mechanism involving extracellular killing by means of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These traps are defined…

Key Points Lay Summary

Benign Gynecological Tumors in Women with Endometriosis

Benign Gynecological Tumors in Women with Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Matalliotaki et al. recently published a paper titled “Coexistence of benign gynecological tumors with endometriosis in a group of 1,000 women” in Oncology Letters. The study had two main objectives. The first goal was to understand the link between endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Novel lipid biomarkers may make early detection of endometriosis possible

Novel lipid biomarkers may make early detection of endometriosis possible By Murat Osman

Currently, specific clinical diagnostic indicators for the early detection of endometriosis have not been found with enough specificity and sensitivity for widespread use. Novel diagnostic biomarkers are needed that are both effective and non-invasive to detect endometriosis as early as…

Key Points Lay Summary

"N-myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1" and Endometriosis.

By Dr. Youngran Park

NDRG1 is implicated in many different cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, and vascularization. In endometriosis, NDRG1 is identified as an inhibitor of several important pathways. To focus on the potential function of NDRG1 in endometriosis, Lou et…

Key Points Lay Summary

Which cell defines endometriosis?

Which cell defines endometriosis? By Murat Osman

A well-accepted theory regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis hypothesizes that the origin of endometriosis is from peritoneal dissemination of endometrial cells and stroma during the neonatal period or menarche. Varying cellular components of endometriosis have been observed in the setting…

Key Points Lay Summary

O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Plays a Role in Endometriosis Development

O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Plays a Role in Endometriosis Development By Kasthuri Nair

Shchegolev et al. recently published a paper in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine that explores the localization and behavior of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, otherwise known as MGMT, a protein that repairs DNA and could potentially possess therapeutic properties. Their paper…

Key Points Lay Summary

Long-term Use of Dienogest can Prevent Recurrence of Endometriomas

Long-term Use of Dienogest can Prevent Recurrence of Endometriomas By Kasthuri Nair

Chandra et al. recently published a paper titled “Clinical experience of the long-term use of dienogest after surgery for ovarian endometriomas” in Obstetrics and Gynecology Science. The publication explored the benefits and repercussions associated with long-term use of dienogest, a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Are there any risk factor associated with the progression of endometriosis to ovarian cancer?

Are there any risk factor associated with the progression of endometriosis to ovarian cancer? By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a disease whereby endometrial glands proliferate outside of the endometrial lining. Apart from causing significant morbidity, It has been found that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of progression to endometroid and clear cell ovarian cancer. However,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is the presence of endometriosis associated with a survival benefit in pure ovarian clear cell carcinoma?

Is the presence of endometriosis associated with a survival benefit in pure ovarian clear cell carcinoma? By Dr. Youngran Park

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) has been known to be associated with endometriosis for a long time. However, the impact of the presence of endometriosis around the tumor on the prognoses of women with OCCC is still controversial. To shed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reason Why Hormone Therapy Alone Cannot Cure Endometriosis Uncovered

Reason Why Hormone Therapy Alone Cannot Cure Endometriosis Uncovered By Özge Özkaya

Researchers in Belgium have shed light on why hormone therapy cannot cure endometriosis on its own in a study published in the scientific journal Gynecological Endocrinology.  Their findings could shape the direction of future research and may help to find…

Key Points Lay Summary

When Endometriosis Becomes Malignant

When Endometriosis Becomes Malignant By Kasthuri Nair

Anglesio and Yong recently wrote a review titled “Endometriosis-associated Ovarian Cancers” that was published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. This review explored the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancers. It is important to note that this review is a compilation of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women with Endometriosis Should Not Worry About Ovarian Cancer

Women with Endometriosis Should Not Worry About Ovarian Cancer By Kasthuri Nair

Kvaskoff, Horne and Missmer recently published an article in The Lancet titled “Informing women with endometriosis about ovarian cancer risk.” This article was written to address the growing concern surrounding the information that women suffering from endometriosis are at increased…

Key Points Lay Summary

Intestinal Endometriosis and Colorectal Cancer versus T4 Colorectal Cancer

Intestinal Endometriosis and Colorectal Cancer versus T4 Colorectal Cancer By Kasthuri Nair

Ishii et al. recently published a paper titled “Intestinal endometriosis combined with colorectal cancer: a case series” in the Journal of Medical Case Reports. This case report follows 7 Japanese women who have intestinal endometriosis and colorectal cancer. These women…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Ovarian Cancer" Presentation by  Dr. Jeannine Villella

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Jeannine Villella, the Chair of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of OBGYN at Lenox Hill, presented at the 2017 EFA Medical Conference. Her presentation was titled “Ovarian Cancer, ” and she discussed the similarities, differences, and links between ovarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diagnostic and treatment guidelines for gastrointestinal and genitourinary endometriosis.

Diagnostic and treatment guidelines for gastrointestinal and genitourinary endometriosis. By Murat Osman

Endometriosis may affect the pelvic reproductive system, but it can also be found in non-reproductive organs such as the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. The article outlined below discusses the diagnosis and management of genitourinary and gastrointestinal endometriosis. Gastrointestinal endometriosis: The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Atypical Sites of Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis

Atypical Sites of Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis By Yu Yu

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is characterizes by fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. The pelvic cavity is the most common location for endometriotic lesions, which involves the retro-cervical space, ovaries, vagina, rectosigmoid colon, bladder…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to Minimize the Costs Associated with Endometriosis Care

How to Minimize the Costs Associated with Endometriosis Care By Kasthuri Nair

Paolo Vercellini, Maria Pina Frattaruolo and Laura Buggio, from Milan, Italy,  recently published an editorial titled “Toward minimally disruptive management of symptomatic endometriosis: reducing low-value care and the burden of treatment” in Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Not a Risk for Pregnancy

Endometriosis Not a Risk for Pregnancy By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis do not seem to be more at risk of having pregnancy-related complications compared to those without endometriosis, according to a study published in the Italian scientific journal Minerva Ginecologica. However, the authors say that larger studies are…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to Improve the Psycho-Social Well Being in Endometriosis Patients?

How to Improve the Psycho-Social Well Being in Endometriosis Patients? By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis and its various symptoms can negatively impact an individual’s psycho-social wellbeing.  Additionally, current endometriosis treatments do not adequately alleviate the symptoms and improve a patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In their article titled “The association between experiences with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep endometriosis and pregnancy

Deep endometriosis and pregnancy By Yu Yu

Several previous studies have investigated whether endometriosis can affect the normal development of pregnancy, although the results have been controversial. The aim of this review article by Leone Roberti Maggiore et al. is to provide an updated overview of health…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effect of endometriosis on preterm birth risk

The effect of endometriosis on preterm birth risk By Demet Candaş Green

Some studies show that women with endometriosis develop significant complications during pregnancy that lead to preterm labor, and newborns of these women often need neonatal intensive care unit admissions. However, other studies argue that endometriosis have no significant effect on…

Key Points Lay Summary

Laparoscopic Bowel Resection Can Be Beneficial Rectosigmoid Endometriosis

Laparoscopic Bowel Resection Can Be Beneficial Rectosigmoid Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Riiskjær et al. recently published a paper titled “Pelvic Pain and Quality of Life Before and After Laparoscopic Bowel Resection for Rectosigmoid Endometriosis: A Prospective, Observational Study” in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. This paper focuses on the effects…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Use of Resveratrol as an Adjuvant Treatment of Pain in Endometriosis

The Use of Resveratrol as an Adjuvant Treatment of Pain in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is considered a predominantly estrogen-dependent disease, and therefore hormonal suppression might be an attractive medical approach to treat this disease and its symptoms. Resveratrol is a natural phytoestrogen synthesized by plants and has known to have side effects such…

Key Points Lay Summary

Biomarker Networks Might Help Reveal the Mechanism Behind Endometriosis

Biomarker Networks Might Help Reveal the Mechanism Behind Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Scientists have yet to uncover the molecular mechanisms that promote endometriosis disease progression. Xiao et al. recently published a study in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine where they hoped to shed new light on the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In their study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Should Women with Endometriosis have IVF Treatment to Conceive Following Laparoscopic Surgery?

Should Women with Endometriosis have IVF Treatment to Conceive Following Laparoscopic Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

Women affected by endometriosis-associated infertility who are younger than 35, and have a good ovarian reserve and a partner with normal semen parameters can benefit from a so-called integrated approach for the management of their infertility, according to a study published…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diseases that Coexist with Adenomyosis and Endometriosis

Diseases that Coexist with Adenomyosis and Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Adenomyosis, defined by endometrial glands and stroma found within the muscular uterine wall, and endometriosis are two common gynecological diseases that are similar pathologically and symptomatically. Choi et al. recently conducted a study where they hoped to determine the prevalence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Centralization of Pelvic Endometriosis Care

Centralization of Pelvic Endometriosis Care By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Patrick Chien, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of BJOG, recently wrote an article titled “Pelvic endometriosis: will centralization of services improve patient care?” In this article, Dr. Chien formulated an opinion on the centralization of pelvic endometriosis care based on the…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Potential New Drug for Endometriosis?

A Potential New Drug for Endometriosis?  By Özge Özkaya

A steroid derivative called PBRM could be a new emerging drug to treat endometriosis according to a study by Canadian scientists. In the study that was published in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, researchers characterized the pharmaceutical…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Heritability of Endometriosis

The Heritability of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

The mechanisms underlying endometriosis, genetic or otherwise, have yet to be understood. Thus, very little is known about how one can be afflicted with this disease. Isidor et al. recently published a paper titled “Familial deep endometriosis: A rare monogenic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Changes in Complement Proteins Affect Infertility in Women with Endometriosis

Changes in Complement Proteins Affect Infertility in Women with Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Palomino et al. recently published a paper titled “The endometria of women with endometriosis exhibit dysfunctional expression of complement regulatory proteins during the mid-secretory phase” in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology where they look at the expression of CRPs during the menstrual cycle of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bowel Function not Affected by Type of Surgery in Deep Rectal Endometriosis, Clinical Trial Shows

Bowel Function not Affected by Type of Surgery in Deep Rectal Endometriosis, Clinical Trial Shows By Özge Özkaya

Conservative surgery for the management of deep rectal endometriosis does not seem to improve the function of the digestive and urinary system compared to more radical surgery according to a new study by French researchers published in the scientific journal Human…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ectoenzymes as endometriosis biomarkers

Ectoenzymes as endometriosis biomarkers By Yu Yu

The diagnosis of endometriosis is often delayed by 7 to 11 years because of the lack of a non-invasive diagnostic test. The ovarian endometriomas occur in about 17%-44% of women with endometriosis and cysts which contain endometrial tissue and fluid…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can grapefruits and oranges be used for treatment of endometriosis?

Can grapefruits and oranges be used for treatment of endometriosis? By Demet Candaş Green

Naringenin is a plant-based nutrient found abundantly in grapefruits and oranges with well-known anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Previous studies showed that naringenin could modify the estrogen receptor signaling, suggesting a role for naringenin in endometriosis. The current study performed…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hormonal Contraceptives and the Risk of Breast Cancer

Hormonal Contraceptives and the Risk of Breast Cancer By Kasthuri Nair

A study titled “Contemporary Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer” was recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine and was immediately picked up and summarized by many well-known newspapers and broadcasting journals, including but not limited…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Fertility Preservation to BRCA Mutations" Presentation by Dr. Kutluk Oktay

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Kutluk Oktay is the Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction & Fertility Preservation as well as a Professor of OBGYN at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Oktay also presented at the EFA 2017 Medical Conference, and his…

Key Points Lay Summary

Effects of osteopathic manipulative therapy in patients with colorectal endometriosis

Effects of  osteopathic manipulative therapy in patients with colorectal endometriosis By Laura Ardighieri

Alternative treatments have been used for colorectal endometriosis, between them Chinese medicine, acupuncture and more recently osteopathic manipulative therapy. The osteopathic manipulative therapy has been shown to reduce the chronic pain working on muscular contractions due to vicious analgesic positions.…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Could Doctors Reduce Risk of Complications Following Rectal Endometriosis Surgery?

How Could Doctors Reduce Risk of Complications Following Rectal Endometriosis Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

Introducing a temporary opening, known as a stoma, in the abdomen of patients that are operated for rectal endometriosis to collect waste products could reduce the risk of complications such as anastomotic leakage. This is according to a study by…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis pathogenesis through the lens of reactive oxygen species

Endometriosis pathogenesis through the lens of reactive oxygen species By Yu Yu

Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species is an essential factor in endometriosis pathogenesis. The harmful effects of reactive oxygen species have been implicated in many diseases, although the multiple biological changes caused is unclear especially in endometriosis. The article…

Key Points Lay Summary

Stress affects endometriosis negatively

Stress affects endometriosis negatively By Demet Candaş Green

Stress contributes to many chronic health problems – endometriosis is one of them. Given that women with endometriosis are under more stress and pain, often with the added stress of infertility, it is important to understand the relationship between stress…

Key Points Lay Summary

How to identify an Expert Centers for Colorectal Endometriosis Surgery

How to identify an Expert Centers for Colorectal Endometriosis Surgery By Özge Özkaya

It is of paramount importance to determine set criteria to define expert centers for colorectal endometriosis surgery, according to a research article published in the scientific journal Surgical Endoscopy.  As the hospital and surgeon case volume has a significant impact…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Hormone and Cytokine Sensitivity in Endometriosis" Presentation by Dr. Robert Taylor

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

The first presenter of the “Estrogen from Inflammation to Cancer: A Distant Link?” section of EFA 2017 Medical Conference was Dr. Robert Taylor from Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Dr. Taylor’s presentation was titled “Hormone and Cytokine Sensitivity in Endometriosis.”…

Key Points Lay Summary

Surgical treatment is an excellent option for women with endometriosis and infertility.

Surgical treatment is an excellent option for women with endometriosis and infertility. By Murat Osman

Women with endometriosis most often have difficulty becoming pregnant and thus require a combination of endometriosis treatment and infertility techniques to achieve pregnancy. Depending on the severity of endometriotic symptoms, women may or may not need surgical excision of endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: “Literature Review, Our Data, and Case Presentations” by Dr. Karli Goldstein

EFA Medical Conference 2017: “Literature Review, Our Data, and Case Presentations” by Dr. Karli Goldstein By Özge Özkaya

Dr. Karli Goldstein started her presentation with a brief literature review on the relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer. She focused on a research article by Dr. Spandidos and colleagues, which was the first epidemiological study that examined the possible…

Key Points Lay Summary

Increased Period Pain in Endometriosis Is Linked to Estrogen

Increased Period Pain in Endometriosis Is Linked to Estrogen By Özge Özkaya

Researchers in China shed light on the mechanism of how the female sex hormone estrogen may be linked to increased period pain in women with endometriosis. A better understanding of the biological mechanism leading to pelvic pain in endometriosis could…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Breast Cancer in Young Women; Early Diagnosis Timely Intervention" Presentation by Dr. Stephanie Bernik

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Stephanie Bernik is the Chief of Surgical Oncology of Surgery and General Surgery at the Lenox Hill Hospital. She recently presented at the EFA 2017 Medical Conference, and her presentation was titled “Breast Cancer in Young Women; Early Diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Treatment of minimal endometriosis in infertile women

Treatment of minimal endometriosis in infertile women By Demet Candaş Green

For women with mild/minimal endometriosis, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) recommends the removal of endometriotic lesions to improve fertility and increase pregnancy rates. For women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment, there is ongoing debate whether surgical removal of…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Prophylactic Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction" Presentation by Dr. Oren Lerman

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Özge Özkaya

Dr. Oren Lerman, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, described the reconstructive options of a woman who has been or is going to go through a mastectomy (removal of breast tissues) whether it…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Endometriosis: hormonal or surgical? My reality!" Presentation by Dr. Harry Reich

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Harry Reich, the Former Director of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at Columbia University Department of OBGYN, was the last speaker in the Mission and History part of the EFA 2017 Medical Conference. His presentation was titled “Endometriosis: hormonal or surgical?…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Cells Are the New Cure" Presentation by Dr. Max Gomez

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Max Gomez is an award-winning broadcast journalist, CBS News Medical Correspondent, and a presenter at the EFA 2017 Medical Conference. Dr. Gomez’s presentation was titled “Cells Are the New Cure: The Cutting-Edge Medical Breakthroughs That Are Transforming Our Health.”…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Combination Treatment of Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Pain Reduction

A Combination Treatment of Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Pain Reduction By Kasthuri Nair

Women suffering from endometriosis often cite pelvic pain, anxiety, and depression as some of the worst core symptoms experienced due to the disease; however, emerging research has shown these signs, specifically pelvic pain, may be influenced by psychological trauma. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

What is the role of hormones on the function and development of the brain?

What is the role of hormones on the function and development of the brain? By Murat Osman

Dr. Sarah L. Berga, Professor, and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wake Forest School of Medicine aim to talk about the effects of sex hormones such as estrogens and progestins on brain health with an emphasis on the neuroprotective characteristics…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA.MC.2017.“The Abnormal Embryos That Aren’t”,“Tens of thousands of women thought they couldn't have babies: But what if they could.”Dr. Norbert Gleicher Dr. Monica Halem

EFA.MC.2017.“The Abnormal Embryos That Aren’t”,“Tens of thousands of women thought they couldn't have babies: But what if they could.”Dr. Norbert Gleicher Dr. Monica Halem By Özge Özkaya

The presentation started with the story of Monica Halem who had endometriosis and had been trying to conceive using in vitro fertilization VF), but was told that none of her fertilized embryos would be viable based on pre-implantation genetic screening…

Key Points Lay Summary

Progesterone resistance can cause endometriosis

Progesterone resistance can cause endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum of ovaries. Abnormal progesterone signaling (i.e., progesterone resistance) in the endometrium has been implicated in the establishment of eutopic and ectopic endometrial implants. Several causes for faulty progesterone signaling have been…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: EFA Research Grants Presentation by Dr. Serin Seckin

EFA Medical Conference 2017: EFA Research Grants Presentation by Dr. Serin Seckin By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Serin Seckin, a Resident Physician at Mount Sinai Health System, gave a presentation during the 2017 Medical Conference titled “EFA Research Grants.” This presentation delineated and went into some detail about the research grants worth over $400,000 that were…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "The Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer" Presentation by Dr. Marisa Weiss

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

The second speaker in the subsection of the conference titled “Estrogen from Inflammation to Cancer: A Distant Link?” was Dr. Marisa Weiss and she gave a presentation titled “The Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer: Common Ground with Endometriosis.” Dr. Weiss…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adhesion molecules and endometriosis

Adhesion molecules and endometriosis By Yu Yu

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is an immunomodulator regulated by estrogen and can regulate cell adhesion, which is a critical step in the initiation of endometriosis. In particular, the cell adhesion molecules, including ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and HCAM (homing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women with Mild Endometriosis May Have a Higher Risk of Miscarriage

Women with Mild Endometriosis May Have a Higher Risk of Miscarriage By Özge Özkaya

Mild endometriosis presents an increased risk of miscarriage according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility.  Researchers think that this may be because superficial lesions are associated with a greater extent of the inflammatory disorder, which may lead…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: Welcome Presentation by Dr. Tamer Seckin

EFA Medical Conference 2017: Welcome Presentation by Dr. Tamer Seckin By Kasthuri Nair

The first part of the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s 2017 Medical Conference delved into the mission and history of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. The first presenter was Dr. Tamer Seckin, a renowned surgeon, and gynecologist who is also the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Highlights from the Endometriosis Foundation of America Medical Conference

Highlights from the Endometriosis Foundation of America Medical Conference By Özge Özkaya

The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA)’s 2017 Medical Conference was held in New York City on October 28. The conference titled “Breast, Ovary, and Endometriosis” was attended by more than 100 people and viewed online by more than 5.300. Following…

Lay Summary

Revisiting the wandering womb: Oxytocin in endometriosis and bipolar disorder

Revisiting the wandering womb: Oxytocin in endometriosis and bipolar disorder By Dr. Youngran Park

Despite a Hysteria (from Greek hysterikos, meaning ‘of the womb’) was dismissed as causing mental illness, recent evidence links oxytocin with diverse and correlated psychological and physical symptoms and conditions that more frequently affect women than men. This article proposes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Biomarkers as a Diagnostic Tool

Biomarkers as a Diagnostic Tool By Kasthuri Nair

Ahn, Singh and Tayade discuss the difficulties and delay in diagnosing Endometriosis in their paper titled “Biomarkers in endometriosis: challenges and opportunities.” Thus far research has identified a multitude of potential biomarkers that are found in various parts of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Role of immune cells in endometriosis

Role of immune cells in endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

Immune cells have essential functions in the body such as detection and clearance of abnormal cells and debris. One of the possible mechanisms for the development of endometriosis is proposed to be the impaired function of immune system cells in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Estrogen Receptor-β in Women’s Health

Estrogen Receptor-β in Women’s Health By Yu Yu

Since the discovery of estrogen receptor (ER), there has been a vast number of studies regarding its functions in cellular and physiological processes. The identification of estrogen receptor-β (ERβ), a second receptor, resulted in a much more complex understanding of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

An update of estrogen receptors on human disease

An update of estrogen receptors on human disease By Yu Yu

Estrogens and its receptors influence numerous human physiological processes. Two estrogen receptors exist, including estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ. Hence, it is essential to elucidate the functions of these receptors in healthy and diseased states. This is particularly important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis May Be Causing Women to Become More Sensitive to Pain

Endometriosis May Be Causing Women to Become More Sensitive to Pain By Özge Özkaya

Inflammation caused by endometriosis may be changing the way a woman perceives pain, found a new study published in the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.   According to Dr. Neziri Alban at University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland and the co-authors…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Development of Endometriosis Unravelled

The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Development of Endometriosis Unravelled By Özge Özkaya

Specialized immune cells called natural killer cells found in the peritoneal fluid of women with severe endometriosis may facilitate the development of the disease, according to a study published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology.   This finding could help…

Key Points Lay Summary

Roles of Progesterone in Endometrial Cancer, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, and Breast Cancer

Roles of Progesterone in Endometrial Cancer, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, and Breast Cancer By Yu Yu

Progesterone is an important hormone, which together with estrogen prepares the women endometrium and breast tissue for pregnancy. The roles of progesterone in human tissues and diseases can be difficult to decipher. While there is a strong evidence for the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase as biomarkers for endometriosis

Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase as biomarkers for endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

When it comes to the diagnosis of endometriosis, the gold standard is a visual inspection by laparoscopy followed by histological confirmation. Laparoscopy is an invasive surgery. A noninvasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis is highly desirable; however, there are no validated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Does Not Increase Overall Risk of Breast Cancer, Study Finds

Endometriosis Does Not Increase Overall Risk of Breast Cancer, Study Finds By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis is not associated with the overall risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.  The condition may, however, be significantly associated with an increased risk of breast tumors that express estrogen receptors (ER)…

Key Points Lay Summary

A New VAS-based Diagnostic Tool for Interpreting Pain

A New VAS-based Diagnostic Tool for Interpreting Pain By Kasthuri Nair

The visual analog scale (VAS) is a diagnostic tool used by health care providers to evaluate chronic pain in women with endometriosis. In their publication titled “Minimal clinically important difference for pain on the VAS scale and the relation to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there a risk of developing breast cancer for women with endometriosis?

Is there a risk of developing breast cancer for women with endometriosis? By Murat Osman

Understanding the interplay between the development of breast cancer and the presence of endometriosis and vice versa is complex since many risk factors including hormone or genetic variations and medical treatments have a role in each disease process. Thus, parsing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Association between blood inflammatory markers and the risk of endometriosis

Association between blood inflammatory markers and the risk of endometriosis By Yu Yu

Previous studies have suggested that aberrant immunologic and inflammatory responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid collected from endometriosis contains elevated immune cells that may enhance the survival of endometriosis by secreting growth factors and…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Two-Wave Molecular Mechanism for Endometriosis Disease Progression

A Two-Wave Molecular Mechanism for Endometriosis Disease Progression By Kasthuri Nair

Kobayashi et al. recently published a review paper in Molecular Medicine Reports titled “Pathogenesis of endometriosis: The role of initial infection and subsequent sterile inflammation,” which discusses at length the role of non-specific bacterial infection and sterile inflammation in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is operation the best option for infertile patients with digestive endometriosis?

Is operation the best option for infertile patients with digestive endometriosis? By Demet Candaş Green

A severe form of endometriosis affecting 8-12% of women with deep endometriosis is bowel endometriosis. Bowel involvement with associated infertility is a serious challenge for gynecologists who must choose between two main therapeutic options: surgery or medically assisted procreation (e.g.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Institutional Violence Typically Faced by Women with Endometriosis

Institutional Violence Typically Faced by Women with Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a painful disease for many reasons. The physical pain caused by the illness is acknowledged by all; however, the pain resulting from institutional violence is not as commonly discussed. Before proceeding, it is important to define institutional violence…

Key Points Lay Summary

Swimming Against the Stream: Is Surgery Worthwhile in Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Pregnancy Intention?

Swimming Against the Stream: Is Surgery Worthwhile in Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Pregnancy Intention? By Murat Osman

Management of Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is further complicated by the implications of affected patients who plan to become or are pregnant. Optimal management in this situation is not standardized due to a lack of randomized trials comparing primary surgery…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Endometriosis Fertility index Could Help Better Predict the Chance of Conceiving After Laparoscopy

The Endometriosis Fertility index Could Help Better Predict the Chance of Conceiving After Laparoscopy By Özge Özkaya

The endometriosis fertility index (EFI) can more reliably predict the chance of a woman getting pregnant following endometriosis surgery compared to the revised-American Society of Reproductive Medicine score, according to a study published in the scientific journal Gynecologic and Obstetric…

Key Points Lay Summary

A New Treatment Time-Table for Controlling Endometriosis-Associated Pelvic Pain

A New Treatment Time-Table for Controlling Endometriosis-Associated Pelvic Pain By Kasthuri Nair

It is no secret that Endometriosis is an extremely painful disease. Unfortunately, science has yet to determine a treatment that can effectively treat the disease or the associated pain. In their paper titled “Ethinylestradiol 20 mg/drospirenone 3 mg in a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis linked with increased risk of cancer and frequency of future surgical procedures

Endometriosis linked with increased risk of cancer and frequency of future surgical procedures By Vishaan Nursey

The purpose of this data research was to determine how women with endometriosis might be predisposed to other medical conditions later on in their lives. In order to determine if endometriosis affected health outcomes, a group of Scottish researchers collected…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer?

Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer? By Yu Yu

Inflammation may be important in ovarian carcinogenesis. Epidemiological studies show that inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, while regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has reduced associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ovarian Reserve Depletion is not Time Sensitive

Ovarian Reserve Depletion is not Time Sensitive By Kasthuri Nair

The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology recently published a paper titled “Is endometrioma-associated damage to ovarian reserve progressive? Insights from IVF cycles.” This publication by Benaglia et al. examines the controversial relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Urocortin 1 as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for endometriosis

Urocortin 1 as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) is a neuropeptide secreted by epithelial cells of the endometrium. It promotes endometrial differentiation to help with embryo implantation. Endometriotic lesions were shown to be rich in Ucn1, suggesting a potential role for Ucn1 in the pathogenesis…

Key Points Lay Summary

CCL19/CCR7 Interaction can Casue Characteristic Cell Proliferation

CCL19/CCR7 Interaction can Casue Characteristic Cell Proliferation By Kasthuri Nair

In their paper published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology titled “CCL19/CCR7 contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis via PI3K/Akt pathway by regulating the proliferation and invasion of ESCs,” Diao et al. hope to elucidate one of the mechanisms…

Key Points Lay Summary

New Approach could help Preoperative Differentiation of Endometriosis and Cancer

New Approach could help Preoperative Differentiation of Endometriosis and Cancer By Özge Özkaya

Researchers in Japan identified some radiological parameters that could be used to differentiate between endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) and a particular type of benign ovarian endometriosis (OE), making it easier for doctors to offer the right treatment to women who…

Key Points Lay Summary

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Play a Role in Endometriosis Related Infertility

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Play a Role in Endometriosis Related Infertility By Kasthuri Nair

In their paper titled “Endometriosis-associated infertility: GDF-9, AMH, AMHR2 genes polymorphisms,” De Conto et al. attempt to elucidate the mechanism that leads to endometriosis-related infertility. In short, the authors hypothesize that there is a connection between polymorphisms in the Growth…

Key Points Lay Summary

Serum AMH Levels Play an Important Role In Fertility Preservation

Serum AMH Levels Play an Important Role In Fertility Preservation By Kasthuri Nair

One of the options available for women who suffer from endometriosis related infertility is cryopreservation. This option is only viable if the woman in question does not suffer from the low ovarian reserve. Garavaglia et al. suggest using pre-surgical serum…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Psychological Health: Butterflies from Deep Wounds

Endometriosis and Psychological Health: Butterflies from Deep Wounds By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a grueling disease in every sense of the word; however, most of the discussions center on the physical manifestations of the disease. Facchin et al. veer from the beaten path and examine the impact endometriosis have on a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cohort study on outcomes of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery

Cohort study on outcomes of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery By Yu Yu

Laparoscopic surgery followed by histological confirmation is considered a standard for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of endometriosis. Radical and conservative surgical approaches are often required for the removal of endometriotic lesions in the case of vaginal or rectal wall deep…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Epigenetics

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Epigenetics By Kasthuri Nair

In this chapter titled “A Review of the Epigenetic Contributions to Endometriosis,” Grimstad and Decherney examine various epigenetic influences that drive endometriosis disease progression. The epigenetic alterations they discuss include DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin architecture changes, nuclear receptor modulation,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Surgery

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Surgery By Kasthuri Nair

Surgery is one of the treatment options offered for individuals with endometriosis. With that in mind, there are a variety of surgical procedures that can be offered to an individual with endometriosis. In the chapter titled “Surgery and Endometriosis,” Zanelotti…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Fertility

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Fertility By Kasthuri Nair

Infertility can be a significant problem for many women who are suffering from endometriosis. In their chapter titled “Endometriosis and Fertility,” Evans and Decherney discuss the role of endometriosis in infertility and examine the usefulness of various fertility treatments. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Imaging

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Imaging By Kasthuri Nair

Hoyos, Johnson, and Puscheck wrote a chapter titled “Endometriosis and Imaging” that discusses the imagining technologies that can be used to diagnosis and examine individuals with the disease. This chapter evaluates three types of imagining, namely Ultrasound (US), Magnetic Resonance…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Fertility Preservation

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Fertility Preservation By Kasthuri Nair

“Endometriosis and Fertility” is a chapter dedicated to examining the role of endometriosis and endometriomas in decreasing fertility. In other words, the authors of this chapter discuss the relationship between endometriomas, surgeries, and infertility. Barnett, Banks and Decherney also deliberate…

Key Points Lay Summary

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis

Updates in the Field of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

A lot of progress has been made thus far in the field of endometriosis. Research has discovered various genetic and epigenetic components involved in endometriosis. There has also been a progression in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease since…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comprehensive review on the drug delivery options being used for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

Comprehensive review on the drug delivery options being used for endometriosis and uterine fibroids. By Murat Osman

Both endometriosis and uterine fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) contribute to infertility, chronic pain, and dysmenorrhea across the world. Thus, drug delivery methods ranging from contraceptives to biochemical systems based on nanotechnology are currently being used and developed. Specifically, long-acting implantable contraceptives…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women with endometriosis are increasingly seeking alternative medical therapies for symptom relief

Women with endometriosis are increasingly seeking alternative medical therapies for symptom relief By Murat Osman

Cyclic premenstrual pain and discomfort (CPPD) encompasses a number of symptoms commonly experienced by many women including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is experienced by both women with and without endometriosis. CPPD includes physical and emotional symptoms associated with menstruation including…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Fertility Index Anticipates Pregnancy in Women with Endometriosis

Endometriosis Fertility Index Anticipates Pregnancy in Women with Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Women are often afflicted by endometriosis during their reproductive years and can be faced with the prospect of infertility. These women also undergo treatments and procedures that can further affect their fertility. Consequently, in 2010, Adamson and Pasta came up…

Key Points Lay Summary

Best Time for IVF Between 7 and 25 Months Post Surgery Study Suggests

Best Time for IVF Between 7 and 25 Months Post Surgery Study Suggests By Özge Özkaya

The more severe endometriosis is, the lower the success rate of IVF, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, the presence of endometriosis as such does not seem to affect the outcome of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Arcyriaflavin A Decreases Endometriosis Cell Viability and Proliferation

Arcyriaflavin A Decreases Endometriosis Cell Viability and Proliferation By Vishaan Nursey

The purpose of this research topic was to determine whether Arcyriaflavin A could serve as a potential new therapeutic option for those suffering from Endometriosis. Arcyriaflavin A is a Cyclin D1 inhibitor. Cyclin D1 regulates the cell cycle by interacting…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Systematic Review of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis

A Systematic Review of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis By Yu Yu

Guidelines are systematically developed statements derived from best research evidence to improve patient care through informed clinical practice. Appropriate guidelines can reduce unwarranted variations health practice and the implementation of better interventions. Endometriosis commonly has three different manifestations, including peritoneal…

Key Points Lay Summary

First-line surgery followed by ART versus ART alone among women with colon-involving endometriosis.

First-line surgery followed by ART versus ART alone among women with colon-involving endometriosis. By Murat Osman

Endometriosis, a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, may cause pelvic and gynecologic complications that affect fertility in women of reproductive age. Several forms of endometriosis have been observed that are characterized by the varying…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cystectomy More Likely to Cause Infertility than Laparoscopic Vaporization

Cystectomy More Likely to Cause Infertility than Laparoscopic Vaporization By Özge Özkaya

Treating patients with endometriotic ovarian cysts using laparoscopic vaporization may be better than treating them with cystectomy, or the surgical removal of cysts, regarding fertility. This information is according to a study conducted by Japanese scientists and published in the Asian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does endometriosis increase skin cancer risk?

Does endometriosis increase skin cancer risk? By Demet Candaş Green

Two major types of skin cancer are melanoma, which is the least frequent type but with highest metastatic potential; and non-melanoma skin cancers which include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Several risk factors are identified for skin cancer…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combination Polymorphisms of Three "Estrogene-Related" Genes Increase the Risk of Endometriosis

Combination Polymorphisms of Three By Kasthuri Nair

Cardoso et al. recently published a paper titled “Combined Effect of the PGR +331C > T, CYP17A1 -34A > G and CYP19A1 1531G > A Polymorphisms on the Risk of Developing Endometriosis” in Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetrician. The…

Key Points Lay Summary

Interleukin-6 Involved in the Development of Endometriosis

Interleukin-6 Involved in the Development of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

A chemical produced by the body called Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and known to be involved in inflammation also seems to promote the development of endometriosis. This is according to a study by Chinese scientists published in the journal Medical Science Monitor.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Dienogest for Endometriosis

Dienogest for Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Laganà et al. recently published an article in Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology titled “Clinical dynamics of Dienogest for the treatment of endometriosis: from bench to bedside.” This article explored the benefits of using Dienogest, a progestin, to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk By Yu Yu

Ovarian cancer prevalence in women with endometriosis is higher than the general population. It is often hypothesized that endometriosis-associated malignancies can occur from ovarian endometrioma. This systematic review by Taniguchi highlighted new insights on the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Potential Molecular Mechanisms that Drive Endometriosis Progression

The Potential Molecular Mechanisms that Drive Endometriosis Progression By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a mysterious disease in that the exact mechanism that causes the illness is still at large. Yang et al. recently published a paper in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences that hopes to elucidate the molecular…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Have a Higher Risk of Appendix Involvement

Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Have a Higher Risk of Appendix Involvement By Özge Özkaya

Women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis, a form of endometriosis that invades the abdominal and pelvic cavity, have an increased risk of developing endometriosis of the appendix. It is therefore important to check women with deep infiltrating endometriosis for appendix involvement during…

Key Points Lay Summary

An Antagonist for Endometriosis Disease Progression: LINC00261

An Antagonist for Endometriosis Disease Progression: LINC00261 By Kasthuri Nair

The molecular mechanisms surrounding endometriosis remain elusive to this day. Sha et al. from Wenzhou Medical University, China, reported that LINC00261, a long non-coding RNA, may play a substantial role in inhibiting the pathogenesis of this painful illness. Their paper…

Key Points Lay Summary

Glycodelin and altered endometrial function in endometriosis

Glycodelin and altered endometrial function in endometriosis By Yu Yu

A laparoscopic examination is the only diagnostic tool for endometriosis to date. Since the procedure is invasive, there has been much effort by researchers to develop a biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. To this end, there has been growing…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Role of IL-35 in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

The Role of IL-35 in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

The molecular mechanism that drives endometriosis remains elusive to this day. Zhang et al believe that interleukin 35 (IL-35) plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Their recent publication in Reproductive Sciences titled “Upregulation of Interleukin 35 in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometrial Receptivity and Infertility

Endometrial Receptivity and Infertility By Kasthuri Nair

A study entitled “Endometrial receptivity in eutopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis: it is not affected, and let me show you why” was recently published in Fertility and Sterility explored the relationship between endometriosis and infertility. This study conducted by Miravet-Valenciano et al.…

Key Points Lay Summary

CA-125 may be useful for the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis

CA-125 may be useful for the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis By Asli Bahadirli Talbott

Marco Aurélio Oliveira et al. conducted a prospective study at outpatient gynecology clinic and Endometriosis Treatment Center in Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (Rio de Janeiro State University) between January 2012 and January 2016 with two groups of patients: deep infiltrating endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis : A Whole Body Disease

Endometriosis : A Whole Body Disease By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a disease that impacts multiple parts of an individual’s body. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine recently published a paper by Alderman III et al. entitled “The Systemic Effects of Endometriosis” explores the various comorbidities that can affect individuals suffering…

Key Points Lay Summary

Indirect assessment of endometriosis prevalence in general population

Indirect assessment of endometriosis prevalence in general population By Özge Özkaya

The prevalence of endometriosis is 10 percent among the general population, estimates a study published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. It is very difficult to estimate the prevalence of endometriosis in the general population. Seventeen different…

Key Points Lay Summary

Combo Therapy of Micronized palmitoylethanolamide/trans-polydatin for Endometriosis Pain

Combo Therapy of Micronized palmitoylethanolamide/trans-polydatin for Endometriosis Pain By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a painful illness and many researchers in the field work to offer women with the disease some form of respite from the suffering. Indraccolo, Indraccolo, and Mignini are three such researchers and they recently published a paper titled…

Key Points Lay Summary

Reevaluating response and failure of medical treatment of endometriosis

Reevaluating response and failure of medical treatment of endometriosis By Elisabetta Kuhn

Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting more than 10% of women in the fertile age and causing "pain" symptoms, that may require medical therapy. Most medical treatments used for endometriosis exert a hormonal mechanism to curtail estrogen effects either locally…

Key Points Lay Summary

Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula: A Natural Treatment

Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula: A Natural Treatment By Kasthuri Nair

In the world of modern medicine, natural and herbal remedies are often under utilized. Liang et al. recently published an article in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine where they explored the benefits of using a Chinese Herbal Medicine to treat…

Key Points Lay Summary

"Kissing Round Ligaments" May Be a Sign of Bladder Endometriosis

By Özge Özkaya

Specific laparoscopic findings may help surgeons diagnose bladder endometriosis, a rare and often undiagnosed condition.  Bladder endometriosis is thought to affect only around one percent of patients with endometriosis. However, this could be an underestimation and many cases may go…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is it Estrogen that Regulates Endometriosis Pain?

Is it Estrogen that Regulates Endometriosis Pain? By Yu Yu

Endometriosis-associated pain is a debilitating condition; however, it is surprising that the perceived pain has no correlation to the endometriosis extent. The mechanism that causes the pain is also poorly understood. Nerve growth factor is enhanced in endometriosis and may increase…

Key Points Lay Summary

Dienogest for endometriosis pain in clinical practice

Dienogest for endometriosis pain in clinical practice By Yu Yu

Dienogest is a synthetic progestogen that has been marketed as a medical treatment for endometriosis. Previous randomized controlled clinical trials have shown that it is effective in women with endometriosis at different stages of the disease. Given its recent introduction,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Detection of Uterine Malformations and its Link to Endometriosis

Detection of Uterine Malformations and its Link to Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Abd El Fattah recently published a research article titled “Uterine Cavity Abnormalities in Patients with Endometriosis in Alexandria: A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Study” in Obstetrics and Gynecology International that delineated and presented the results of his study. The study has two…

Key Points Lay Summary

Hormonal Contraceptives and Endometriomas

Hormonal Contraceptives and Endometriomas By Kasthuri Nair

Hormonal contraceptive has recently become a popular choice of birth control for many women. The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology recently published an article entitled “Incidence of ovarian endometrioma among women with peritoneal endometriosis with and…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Symptomatic Impact of Endometriosis

The Symptomatic Impact of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Endometriosis is a painful illness that affects the lives of many women around the world. A recent article published in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology titled “The burden of endometriosis symptoms on health-related quality of life in women in…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Benefits of Primary Surgery

The Benefits of Primary Surgery By Kasthuri Nair

Ahmad, Hussin, and Ahmad recently conducted a cohort study, and they published the results within an article titled “An evaluation of the quality of life in women with endometriosis who underwent primary surgery: a 6-month follow-up in Sabah Women &…

Key Points Lay Summary

ICSI Outcomes for Laparoscopic Intervention of Endometriosis

 ICSI Outcomes for Laparoscopic Intervention of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Women with endometriosis can have trouble conceiving and often turn to fertility treatments for help. Guler et al. recently published a paper in Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine titled “The Impact of laparoscopic surgery of peritoneal endometriosis and endometrioma on…

Key Points Lay Summary

Novel Biological Pathway Could Offer new Treatment Option for Endometriosis

Novel Biological Pathway Could Offer new Treatment Option for Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Researchers have identified a novel biological pathway that may be involved in endometriosis. Targeting this pathway may, therefore, be a new alternative approach to treating the condition in the future.  Endometriosis is characterized by the tissue that normally lines the…

Key Points Lay Summary

How ERα is regulated in endometriosis?

How ERα is regulated in endometriosis? By Yu Yu

Endometriosis pathogenesis is largely influenced by estrogen. Ectopic endometrium has altered expression of ERα compared to the eutopic endometrium. It is unclear what biological processes regulate such alteration. The article by Toderow et al. in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pregnancy Risks Associated with Severe Endometriosis

Pregnancy Risks Associated with Severe Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

Living with endometriosis can be painful and challenging; however, the challenges increase for women that are pregnant and have this disease. Recently, BJOG published an article titled “The ominous association between severe endometriosis, in-vitro fertilization, and placenta praevia: Raising awareness,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cryoablation to Treat Abdominal Wall Endometriosis

Cryoablation to Treat Abdominal Wall Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis of the abdominal wall (AWE) is often painful and requires hormone therapy or surgery for clinical management. Thus, non-invasive treatment options to help reduce pain and the progression of these lesions will help patients who suffer from this disease.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Robotic Assisted Laparoscopy Not Better Than Standard Laparoscopy

Robotic Assisted Laparoscopy Not Better Than Standard Laparoscopy By Özge Özkaya

Robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RAL) does not seem to offer any benefits over standard laparoscopy, according to a study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online.  According to the authors of the study more research is needed to investigate the role…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis, Surgery and Fertility

 Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis, Surgery and Fertility By Kasthuri Nair

Carneiro, Costa, and Ávila recently published an article in a scientific journal named Reproduction, titled “To operate or not to operate on women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) before in vitro fertilization (IVF),” that explored the relationship between DIE and infertility.…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Endometrium Itself is Genetically Different in Endometriosis Patients

The Endometrium Itself is Genetically Different in Endometriosis Patients By Özge Özkaya

Researchers in China identified a number of genes that are differentially expressed in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and those without. The researchers think that these genes may be involved in the development of endometriosis and that they…

Key Points Lay Summary

A potential indicator of invasive endometriosis. 

A potential indicator of invasive endometriosis.  By Asli Bahadirli Talbott

Furuya & Masuda et al., in their recent article that will be published in Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, report that the protein encoded by ZEB1 gene (Zinc finger E-box-Binding homeobox) is a potential indicator of invasive endometriosis.  ZEB1 is a transcription factor that has been implicated…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Resveratrol is effective in endometriosis?

How Resveratrol is effective in endometriosis? By Asli Bahadirli Talbott

In their review paper, Mohammadi and Arablou recommend using Resveratrol, a  plant-derived compound, for the treatment of endometriosis. Resveratrol is abundant in nature and can be found in many different plant species, fungi, berries, peanuts, legumes, and grasses; however, grapes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could the cell surface protein "EWI-2" be the new diagnostic marker for endometriosis?

Could the cell surface protein By Murat Osman

Further Understanding: Researchers from the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan University sought to observe the differential expression of EWI-2, (a cell surface protein and an early activation marker, also known as IGSF8 - Immunoglobulin superfamily member 8) in 145 women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Asian Women at Higher Risk of Endometriosis and Less Likely to Conceive with IVF but not Because of their Endometriosis

Asian Women at Higher Risk of Endometriosis and Less Likely to Conceive with IVF but not Because of their Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The rate of endometriosis is higher amongst women of Asian origin confirms a study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. In addition, pregnancy rates following fertility treatments are lower in this group of women. However, this does…

Lay Summary

Endometriosis as a Barrier to Fertility

Endometriosis as a Barrier to Fertility By Murat Osman

Some of the articles in the from the journal "Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (AOGS) issue are discussed in further detail below: Pain caused by endometriosis has been seen to significantly impact women's physical, psychosocial, and sexual health. Although endometriosis has been…

Key Points Lay Summary

Can a cure be developed for endometriosis?

Can a cure be developed for endometriosis? By Asli Bahadirli Talbott

The Lancet correspondence highlights that regardless of the importance of endometriosis; its full socioeconomic impact is underestimated and endometriosis research is considerably underfunded. The Endometriosis Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) which includes women with endometriosis, their supporters, health-care practitioners, endometriosis researchers, and representatives from…

Key Points Lay Summary

How rats can help improve colon endometriosis treatment in humans

How rats can help improve colon endometriosis treatment in humans By Demet Candaş Green

Colorectal endometriosis forms about 3–37% of all deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) cases. DIE is a highly invasive type of endometriosis, occurs when ovarian endometriomas overgrow and rupture, releasing their contents into the abdominal and pelvic cavity, resulting in the formation…

Key Points Lay Summary

More than Four Years Pass Before Endometriosis is Diagnosed After Symptoms First Appear

More than Four Years Pass Before Endometriosis is Diagnosed After Symptoms First Appear By Özge Özkaya

The average time that passes between the onset of symptoms such as pelvic pain and the diagnosis of endometriosis is 4.4 years on average, according to a study conducted by researchers at the pharmaceutical company Abbvie and published in the…

Lay Summary

Women with Endometriosis Undergoing Surgery Often Require Further Treatment

Women with Endometriosis Undergoing Surgery Often Require Further Treatment By Ezio Rosato

Recurrence of endometriosis is common even in women who underwent surgery, a new study confirmed. This suggests that women with endometriosis should be closely followed up even after treatment with surgery. For the study published online in the Journal of…

Lay Summary

Mutations Associated with Cancer Were Identified in "Endometriosis without Cancer"

Mutations Associated with Cancer Were Identified in By Özge Özkaya

Lesions in deep infiltrating endometriosis harbor genetic mutations that are associated with cancer, found a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The authors believe that this new discovery may help to distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of…

Lay Summary

Unexpected "cancer-related" mutations in "non-cancerous" endometriosis: Do they predict aggressiveness?

Unexpected By Laura Ardighieri

A study supported by Endometriosis Foundation of America, reported by scientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore, USA) and the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) have identified the molecular alterations of deep infiltrating endometriosis trough a wide exome­ sequencing (protein-coding genetic alphabet…

Key Points Lay Summary

MPO not a Good Biomarker for Endometriosis, Research Suggests

MPO not a Good Biomarker for Endometriosis, Research Suggests By Özge Özkaya

Levels of an enzyme called myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the body cannot be used on their own as a biomarker to detect the presence of endometriosis, suggests a study published in the journal Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation.    Because MPO is an…

Lay Summary

Immune substances in peritoneal fluid for endometriosis diagnosis and armamentarium

Immune substances in peritoneal fluid for endometriosis diagnosis and armamentarium By Yu Yu

Cytokines are immune substances secreted by a broad range of cells within the body, including immune cells like the macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, mast cells, and non-immune cells such as the endothelial cells and fibroblasts. They are important in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer

Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer By Özge Özkaya

Variations in a gene called HNF1B could be linked to the risk of endometriosis, according to a study published in the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology. Previous studies had identified the same genetic variation as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.…

Lay Summary

Increased Oxidative Stress in Endometriosis may Be Linked to Higher Risk of Ovarian Cancer

Increased Oxidative Stress in Endometriosis may Be Linked to Higher Risk of Ovarian Cancer By Ezio Rosato

In the study that was published in the scientific journal Translational Oncogenomics, a group of researchers led by Dr. Hariyono Winarto from the Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta identified increased oxidative stress as one of the causes that might explain the…

Lay Summary

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy as Effective as Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, Study Suggests

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy as Effective as Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, Study Suggests By Ezio Rosato

Laparoscopic hysterectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to remove the uterus, results in similar rates of disease-free survival among women with stage 1 endometrial cancer as the standard abdominal hysterectomy, showed a study published in The Journal…

Lay Summary