Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in Endometriosis: Current Insights and Future Directions

 Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in Endometriosis: Current Insights and Future Directions By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis-associated symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain have an effect to diminish the quality of life. The physical and mental quality of life of these women is adversely affected. There are several studies evaluating the quality of life…

Key Points Lay Summary

A Key Modulator of Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Endometriosis: Soluble MICA

A Key Modulator of Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Endometriosis: Soluble MICA By Hakan Kula

In a study published in the American Journal of the Reproductive Immunology, Abrao et al. investigated the potential effect of MHC Class I related MICA molecules at the pathogenesis of the endometriosis.  This study highlights a novel role of soluble MICA (sMICA) in endometriosis, showing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in Asia

Endometriosis in Asia By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians from the University of Philippines led by Dr. Velarde have published a recent review on endometriosis and Asian women in the scientific periodical “Endocrine Connections”. The endometriosis prevalence rate is variable among ethnicities, and Asian women including Filipinos, Indians, Japanese,…

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

Planning surgery for recto-sigmoid endometriosis with 3D virtual models.

Planning surgery for recto-sigmoid endometriosis with 3D virtual models. By Selma Oransay

Efforts to reduce the high complication rate of rectosigmoid surgery in deeply infiltrated endometriosis are of great interest to gynecologists. 3D printing, currently used in various surgical specialties to support surgical planning and guide intraoperative procedures may be a way…

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

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

How to unveil the discrepancy regarding the effect of chemicals on the etiology of endometriosis

How to unveil the discrepancy regarding the effect of chemicals on the etiology of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Kristen Upson from Michigan State University published a review article evaluating research papers on environmental factors effective in endometriosis from an epidemiological perspective in "Current Epidemiology Reports". Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease with anatomical, hormonal, immunological, estrogenic, genetic, epigenetic, and…

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

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

Crocin improves endometriosis

Crocin improves endometriosis By Yu Yu

Crocin is a carotenoid chemical compound in the flowers crocus and gardenia. It is one of the most important gradients in saffron. Previous studies showed that crocin may have multiple pharmacological effects including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation. There are several…

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

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