Anti-inflammatory Diet Feasible in Patients With Endometriosis

Anti-inflammatory Diet Feasible in Patients With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

An anti-inflammatory diet is feasible in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. This is the case especially when identified barriers and facilitators are addressed in an intervention. “ Provision of knowledge, stimulating…

Key Points Lay Summary

Effects of Endometriosis Symptoms on Women's Overall Health and Well-Being

Effects of Endometriosis Symptoms on Women's Overall Health and Well-Being By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis significantly affects women's quality of life. Many women face daily challenges due to pelvic pain, which can lead them to miss work or school and withdraw from social activities. It's crucial to assess and manage the symptoms associated with…

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

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

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

Self-Compassion May Help Cope With Endometriosis

Self-Compassion May Help Cope With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The health-related quality of life of women living with endometriosis in New Zealand is “significantly impaired” confirms a new study published in the scientific journal Psychology & Health.  This result highlights the potential role of self-compassion and resilience to support…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Endo Left Alone To Deal With Their Gut Symptoms

Women With Endo Left Alone To Deal With Their Gut Symptoms By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis had patterns of restrictive behavior, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.  They also wanted more professional support to help them manage the gut symptoms associated with the…

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

Preoperative MRI: A Valuable Tool for Diagnosing Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Preoperative MRI: A Valuable Tool for Diagnosing Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The article by Sebastian Harth et al. is a retrospective study that aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in detecting deep infiltrating endometriosis based on specific morphological criteria. The study included 160 patients who underwent…

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

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 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

Gastrointestinal symptoms in colorectal deep endometriosis

Gastrointestinal symptoms in colorectal deep endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

The colon, particularly the recto-sigmoid is the most commonly involved area in deep endometriosis. These patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms almost as much as pelvic pain symptoms the most common being reported as frequent and painful defecation. Gastrointestinal symptoms may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Gestrinone May Be Safe and Effective in Treating Endometriosis Symptoms

Gestrinone May Be Safe and Effective in Treating Endometriosis Symptoms By Özge Özkaya

Gestrinone seems to be safe for the treatment of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. It also may be more effective than danazol and other medical treatments.  However, these findings…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Delay in Endometriosis Diagnosis Is Huge

The Delay in Endometriosis Diagnosis Is Huge By Özge Özkaya

Eleven years pass on average in Italy for a woman to get diagnosed with endometriosis from when she starts having symptoms. This delay can even be even longer (4 more years) if the symptoms appear before a woman is age 20.…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emotions on the 'Surgery Requirement' in patients with bowel endometriosis

Emotions on the 'Surgery Requirement' in patients with bowel endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is known to have many adverse effects in patients’ lives such as a significant decrease in the quality of life, psychosocial problems, loss of productivity and focus while working. With the constant chronic pain, the patients mostly present with…

Key Points Lay Summary

Evaluation of patient self-reported outcome measures for endometriosis.

Evaluation of patient self-reported outcome measures for endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis symptomology is multifactorial and it changes over time based on the patient's life experience, perceptions, and medical treatment. These changes require the agility of adaptation for both clinicians and patients to respond properly. The documentation of the patient's specific…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does Surgery Improve the Digestive Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Does Surgery Improve the Digestive Symptoms of Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowels have the most significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms following surgery. This is according to the findings of a comparative retrospective study in almost 1,500 women.  “Women with severe bowel symptoms and deep…

Key Points Lay Summary

How much are the women with endometriosis aware of their symptoms?

How much are the women with endometriosis aware of their symptoms? By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease from the start. It is not easy to diagnose and there is still not a non-invasive gold-standard diagnostic method despite too much effort. Its effects on the quality of life of patients cannot be ignored.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Dietary adjustments do not increase the quality of life of women with endometriosis.

Dietary adjustments do not increase the quality of life of women with endometriosis. By Özge Özkaya

Even though dietary changes do not seem to increase patients’ quality of life, they lead to a perceived reduction in symptoms. No specific adjustment in the diet increases the quality of life of women with endometriosis, according to a new…

Key Points Lay Summary

A new assessment tool for the multi-dimensional burden of endometriosis

A new assessment tool for the multi-dimensional burden of endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a disease that has multiple effects on patients’ lives in various ways. The quality of life, the status of the patient’s relationships, the continuity and productivity in the patient’s education and work environment, and psychological, emotional, and even…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-pharmacological self-care: dietary modifications in women with endometriosis.

Non-pharmacological self-care: dietary modifications in women with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

The academic interest on the role of diet in endometriosis has grown due to its possible relation with inflammation, estrogenic activity, and menstrual cycles. Multiple dietary strategies and prescriptions are being used to deal with the pelvic pain and gastrointestinal…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could There Be a Relationship Between Endometriosis and the "Restless Leg Syndrome"?

Could There Be a Relationship Between Endometriosis and the By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis have a significantly higher prevalence of restless leg syndrome according to a study published in the scientific journal "Frontiers in Endocrinology". This is the first study highlighting such an association between the two conditions. These findings are important…

Key Points Lay Summary

Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis in adolescents

Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis in adolescents By Irem Onur

The belief that dysmenorrhea, the primary symptom of endometriosis, in adolescents is an inevitable condition seen in menstruation as well as unwillingness to perform diagnostic laparoscopy may cause the delay of diagnosis of endometriosis. This is according to a recent…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effects of nutrients on endometriosis-related symptoms

The effects of nutrients on endometriosis-related symptoms By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

A recent literature review from the Netherlands by researchers Emma Huijs and Annamiek Nap, published in "Reproductive Biomedicine Online" puts light on the effects of some nutrients for endometriosis-related symptomatology.  Endometriosis has heterogeneous pathogenesis involving genetic, immunological, environmental, and hormonal…

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

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

Cycle-related gastrointestinal complaints in reproductive age young women

Cycle-related gastrointestinal complaints in reproductive age young women By Timur Seckin

An analysis of 1-year data on 266 patients who presented to the Clinic and Polyclinic for Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at Jena University Hospital to undergo surgery for endometriosis and its symptoms was performed by Nicolaous K. et al., a…

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

The Molecular Profile Unique to Endometriosis

The Molecular Profile Unique to Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis remains to be a disease entity that is not fully understood. However, recent studies suggest that endometriosis is characterized by several dysregulated biochemical pathways that allow for its survival and growth outside the uterine endometrium. Authors have recently published…

Key Points Lay Summary

How does pregnancy affect endometriosis?

How does pregnancy affect endometriosis? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is the localization of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. Pregnancy is offered as a treatment option for patients with endometriosis because it causes atrophy of endometrial cells similar to progesterone treatment. Progesterone predominance during pregnancy,…

Key Points Lay Summary

The reason for lower BMI and less body fat in women with endometriosis.

The reason for lower BMI  and less body fat in women with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Zolbin et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA, recently published the results of their prospective controlled research on adipocyte alterations in endometriosis, in the journal "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology". Endometriosis can…

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

A Brief Review of Endometriosis

A Brief Review of Endometriosis By Timur Seckin

Endometriosis is a common disease among women of reproductive age. It is more frequently seen among women without prior pregnancies, women with a family history of endometriosis, and women with abnormal menstrual periods. Peiris et al., researchers from the United…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors Associated with Endometriosis Risk

Factors Associated with Endometriosis Risk By Özge Özkaya

Socio-economic factors, lifestyle habits, and other physical and mental illnesses may be linked to endometriosis according to a new observational study published in the European Journal Of Obstetrics Gynecology And Reproductive Biology.  Endometriosis is a debilitating condition affecting as many…

Key Points Lay Summary

Will Getting Pregnant Make My Pain Go Away?

Will Getting Pregnant Make My Pain Go Away? By Özge Özkaya

Pregnancy can relieve the symptoms of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. However, for most women, the pain usually returns like in the case of hormonal therapy. This…

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 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

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

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

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

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

Do Adolescents and Adults Experience Endometriosis Differently?

Do Adolescents and Adults Experience Endometriosis Differently? By Özge Özkaya

Symptoms of endometriosis seem to be the same between women surgically diagnosed during adolescence and those diagnosed as adults, according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For both age groups, pelvic pain was severe,…

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

Endometriosis early pointers

Endometriosis early pointers By Yu Yu

Endometriosis can take a long time to diagnose, thus associated with prolonged symptoms of pain, subfertility and patient frustration/demoralization. It can be difficult to diagnose clinically because the symptoms are common and non-specific so that GP can misconceive them as…

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

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

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 and Productivity at Home and in the Workplace

Endometriosis and Productivity at Home and in the Workplace By Kasthuri Nair

Soliman et al. recently published an original paper in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy that discusses the impact that endometriosis symptoms have on an individual’s productivity level at home and work. This publication is titled “The Effect…

Key Points Lay Summary

Inhibition of key neurotransmitter could reduce endometriosis-related pain

Inhibition of key neurotransmitter could reduce endometriosis-related pain By Asli Bahadirli Talbott

This study published in the scientific journalMolecular MedicineReports[link] by Lian et al. from Shanghai, China, aims to explore the relationship between transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and endometriosis-associated pain. Pain is the most common symptom for women with…

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

Patient-completed or symptom-based screening tools for endometriosis: a scoping review.

Patient-completed or symptom-based screening tools for endometriosis: a scoping review. By Karime Kalil Machado

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age. Its clinical presentation is variable, and symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, may overlap with those of other benign conditions, making differential diagnosis challenging. Therefore, a patient-completed screening questionnaire could potentially…

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