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

Adenomyosis as a Barrier to Effective Surgery for Dyspareunia in Rectovaginal Endometriosis

Adenomyosis as a Barrier to Effective Surgery for Dyspareunia in Rectovaginal Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Women with endometriosis often experience severe pain during intercourse, known as dyspareunia, which can deeply affect their quality of life and intimate relationships. One form of this condition, rectovaginal septum endometriosis, involves deep, scarred tissue that can cause pain during…

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

New Model Could Help in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis

New Model Could Help in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from China established a diagnostic model of endometriosis based on disulfidptosis-related genes.  They said that their diagnostic model was a good predictor of endometriosis. The team led by Dr. Yaoyao Zhao from the Department of Gynecology, Zhuji People's Hospital…

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

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

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

Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in Endometriosis of Various Locations

Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in Endometriosis of Various Locations By Hakan Kula

In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Ogneva et al. investigated the final stage of energy production in cellular metabolism—specifically, the rate of oxygen absorption during oxidative phosphorylation—in endometrial biopsies from patients without endometriosis and those…

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

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

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

Endometriosis May Be Identified Using a Standardized Questionnaire

Endometriosis May Be Identified Using a Standardized Questionnaire By Özge Özkaya

Screening adolescents and young adult women with a questionnaire can identify clinical symptoms associated with histologically proven endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction.  “Combined with imaging and clinical examination, this approach will enable…

Key Points Lay Summary

GP Records May Hold Information About Possible Endometriosis in Adolescents

GP Records May Hold Information About Possible Endometriosis in Adolescents By Özge Özkaya

The prevalence of coded dysmenorrhoea in the records of general practitioners (GP) is significantly lower than what is suggested in community surveys, according to a new study published in the British Journal of General Practice. However, menstrual symptoms in adolescents are commonly seen…

Key Points Lay Summary

Menstrual Health & Endometriosis Education Increases the Awareness in Students

Menstrual Health & Endometriosis Education Increases the Awareness in Students By Hale Goksever Celik

The main symptoms of endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain that may result in social and developmental disturbances such as abstinence from school or work. There is a significant diagnostic delay of endometriosis diagnosis, because symptoms may be…

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

Nanotechnology for endometriosis

Nanotechnology for endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr.Talukdar from Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, and colleagues have published a timely review of nanoparticle applications in endometriosis. This review appeared in the June 2024 issue of the journal “Nanomaterials”.  As envisioned by Professor Ehrlich in the 19th…

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

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 relief: How vitamins C and E can make a difference

Endometriosis relief: How vitamins C and E can make a difference By Eylül GÜN

Recent studies indicate that oxidative stress significantly contributes to the onset and progression of endometriosis. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause cellular damage and enhance inflammation, leading to the pain associated with the condition. Antioxidants like vitamins…

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

What Factors Affect the Chance of Being Diagnosed With Endometriosis?

What Factors Affect the Chance of Being Diagnosed With Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

There are demographic disparities in the diagnosis of endometriosis among women in the US, ages 15 to 50 according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.  These disparities suggest that intersecting barriers may prevent some…

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

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

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

Study Identifies Factors Associated With the Risk of Adenomyosis Progression

Study Identifies Factors Associated With the Risk of Adenomyosis Progression By Özge Özkaya

The disease progression rate of adenomyosis at one-year follow-up is 21.3%, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. For hormonally untreated patients this rate is 30.77% while for those who were hormonally treated, it…

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 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 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

MRI Improves Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Diagnosis

MRI Improves Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Diagnosis By Özge Özkaya

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with susceptibility-weighted imaging sequence is the best method of non-invasively diagnosing endometriosis, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine. However, the authors noted, “Laparoscopy is still the gold standard of…

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

Ultrasonographic findings and the clinical symptoms of pelvic endometriosis

Ultrasonographic findings and the clinical symptoms of pelvic endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Imaging techniques achieve the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis, which affects 10-15% of all women of reproductive age. Suspected patients with clinical history and symptoms need a systemic examination of the uterus, ovaries, adnexa, and peritoneal covering the rectouterine, retrocervical, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women's willingness to donate menstrual blood for endometriosis research

Women's willingness to donate menstrual blood for endometriosis research By Selma Oransay

The menstrual blood is 50-100 ml/per cycle, with 80% lost during the first three days. On the heaviest bleeding day, 2 to 8 ml may be collected from a cup worn for four hours. This fluid could be investigated by…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Sheds Light on the Molecular Mechanism of Endometriosis Lesion Formation

Study Sheds Light on the Molecular Mechanism of Endometriosis Lesion Formation By Özge Özkaya

The production of a protein called Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain 1 (NOD1) in ectopic mesenchymal stem cells may be associated with the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Stem Cells. This…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there any relationship between age at diagnosis and the severity of endometriosis?

Is there any relationship between age at diagnosis and the severity of endometriosis? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Early diagnosis is important, as endometriosis impairs the quality of life. The most accepted theory is that endometriosis is a progressive disease and its stage increases with age. Dr.…

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

Early diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis in adolescence

 Early diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis in adolescence By Selma Oransay

Dysmenorrhea is widely observed in adolescence, and endometriosis is one of its causes. However, endometriosis diagnosis is usually made after 25 years of age. It is clear that early diagnosis and management of this progressive disease is essential and will…

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

New Predictive Model Can Identify Minimal and Mild Endometriosis

New Predictive Model Can Identify Minimal and Mild Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Researchers from China developed a predictive model that can identify minimal and mild endometriosis in infertile women. The paper appeared in the March 2024 issue of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. “This model would assist clinicians in screening infertile…

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

Endometriosis vs. adenomyosis : is there a common pathogenesis ?

Endometriosis vs. adenomyosis : is there a common pathogenesis ? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

This is a collaborative review on the pathophysiology of adenomyosis and endometriosis by academicians of the University of Leicester, UK; Fudan University, Shanghai, China and Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, published in a recent issue of “Biomolecules”. The pathophysiology of…

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

Psychosocial Factors Must Be Taken Into Account When Dealing With Endometriosis

Psychosocial Factors Must Be Taken Into Account When Dealing With Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

It is crucial to take into account both physical and psychosocial factors to maintain physical and mental health in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Psychology & Health. “Treatment should address both pelvic…

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

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

Family history of endometriosis and its characteristics

 Family history of endometriosis and its characteristics By Selma Oransay

Depression and migraine are two familial disorders affected by menstrual cycle and endometriosis patients have an increased likelihood of suffering from these comorbidities. A correlation of endometriosis, migraine and depression has been already reporteed in the literature, however a link for…

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

The urgent need for research and compassionate care in endometriosis

The urgent need for research and compassionate care in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis, a common yet little-known inflammatory disorder, has significant patient and public health impacts due to underinvestment in its research and care. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate care persist due to reliance on surgical methods and limited advancements in medical therapies.…

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

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

Diagnosis and the Treatment of Postmenopausal Endometriosis

Diagnosis and the Treatment of Postmenopausal Endometriosis By Selma Oransay

About 190 million women around the world are diagnosed with endometriosis. The majority of the cases are between 30 and 40 years of age. After menopause, the incidence of endometriosis declines to 2-5%, and it is more common in women…

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

The Importance of "uterine adenogenesis" in endometriosis development

The Importance of By Eylül GÜN

Understanding the complex pathogenetic mechanisms underlying endometriosis has been a big challenge. Several studies have demonstrated that the eutopic and ectopic endometrium exhibit distinct characteristics. Researchers led by Signorile et al. from Italy conducted a review of the recent developments…

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

Underestimation of Dysmenorrhea in adolescents

Underestimation of Dysmenorrhea in adolescents By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis may suffer from painful symptoms, especially during menstruation or sexual intercourse. One of the main etiologic reasons for secondary dysmenorrhea is endometriosis, and it has a poor impact on life quality. Underestimation of dysmenorrhea and consideration of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Endometriosis Willing to Participate in Research

Women With Endometriosis Willing to Participate in Research By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis are open to participating in research, according to a new Australian study published in the journal "Medicina (Kaunas)". This way, they said, “they felt aligned with their needs, with a significant focus on diagnostic tools and symptom…

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

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

Healthcare Seeking Behaviour May Be Sign of Endometriosis

Healthcare Seeking Behaviour May Be Sign of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Women with endometriosis had a higher utilization of primary and secondary healthcare in the 10 years before receiving a diagnosis, found a new study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction.  “With this knowledge, healthcare professionals could be better at relating…

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

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

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

Dienogest versus combined oral contraceptives treatment in postoperative endometriosis care

Dienogest versus combined oral contraceptives treatment in postoperative endometriosis care By Selma Oransay

Dienogest is a synthetic progestin derivative, like oral contraceptives, used to prevent endometriosis recurrence after surgery. Randomized clinical trials verified a significantly higher reduction in endometriotic lesions, clinical symptoms, and improved quality of life obtained when dienogest was given to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis of the skeletal muscular system

Endometriosis of the skeletal muscular system By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis of the skeletal muscular system (ESMS) is characterized by the presence of endometrial cells in skeletal muscles, bones, or joints. Despite its rare occurrence, ESMS has been reported in various muscle and joint locations, leading to atypical symptoms and…

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

Ultrasound and #Enzian Classification for Endometriosis

Ultrasound and #Enzian Classification for Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The #Enzian classification can ensure endometriosis is systematically described and classified, which can “greatly facilitates communication between physicians and patients, sonographers and surgeons,” according to an editorial article by Drs. Jörg Keckstein and Markus Hoopmann published in the European Journal of…

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 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

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

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

Meningioma risk in women with endometriosis using Nomegestrol acetate

Meningioma risk in women with endometriosis using Nomegestrol acetate By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis mostly suffer from symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Early diagnosis and management have importance as endometriosis impairs the quality of life and creates a serious social and economic burden. There are different…

Key Points Lay Summary

Headaches Appear Years Before a Diagnosis of Endometriosis

Headaches Appear Years Before a Diagnosis of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Headache is associated with different forms of migraine, is related to pain, and often appears before diagnosis in women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online. This knowledge can help ensure women with…

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

Autoantibodies Cannot Be Used to Detect Endometriosis Just Yet

Autoantibodies Cannot Be Used to Detect Endometriosis Just Yet By Özge Özkaya

There seems to be no significant difference in the expression of autoantibodies in the plasma or peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis and those without the disease. This is according to a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pretreatment With Dienogest Does not Seem to Improve IVF Outcome in Endometriosis

Pretreatment With Dienogest Does not Seem to Improve IVF Outcome in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Treatment with dienogest before in vitro fertilization does not increase the number of mature eggs or improve the rate of pregnancy or live births in women with endometriosis, found a new study published in the scientific journal Gynecologic and Obstetric…

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

Another New Approach Could Help Diagnose deep Infiltrating endometriosis

Another New Approach Could Help Diagnose deep Infiltrating endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Elastography could help distinguish deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodules from non-endometriotic tissue at different locations, according to a new study published in Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound. The potential of the technique in improving the diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis have different genetic pathways

 Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis have different genetic pathways By Bahar Yuksel

It is still not defined whether adenomyosis is also a deep endometriosis component or not. In the study conducted by Marshall et al, the researchers compared the gene expression patterns between deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and adenomyosis uteri in order…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adenomyosis and infertility: Does immunology mapping help?

Adenomyosis and infertility: Does immunology mapping help? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Professor Dr. Wolfgang Küpker (MD, PhD), Medical Director and CEO of IVF Baden Baden at the University of Schleswig Holstein in Lübeck delivered a conference at the  Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America held in New York on April…

Key Points Lay Summary

The #Enzian classification, an essential tool for surgical management of severe endometriosis

The #Enzian classification, an essential tool for surgical management of severe endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The lecture entitled "The #Enzian classification, an essential tool for surgical management of severe endometriosis" was presented by Professor. Jörg Keckstein, from the University Ulm, Germany, at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America held in New York on…

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

​Insights into immune dysfunction in endometriosis - Chandrakant Tayade, DVM, PhD

​Insights into immune dysfunction in endometriosis - Chandrakant Tayade, DVM, PhD By Bahar Yuksel

In his speech presented at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America held in New York on April 1-2, 2023, Dr. Tayade talks about the relationship between endometriosis and the immune system. Dr. Tayade begins by emphasizing the significance of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preclinical organ-on-chip models of endometriosis lesions - Linda Griffith, PhD

Preclinical organ-on-chip models of endometriosis lesions - Linda Griffith, PhD By Özge Özkaya

Professor Linda Griffith, Professor of Biological and Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Center for Gynepathology Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology gave a presentation about their preclinical organ on-chip models of endometriosis lesions at the 14th Annual International…

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

A self-diagnostic tool that predicts the likelihood of endometriosis

A self-diagnostic tool that predicts the likelihood of endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

Early diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis are crucial for preventing these negative outcomes, but the disease is often difficult to diagnose due to a lack of specific symptoms and reliable diagnostic tests. Goldstein et al. aimed to develop a machine-learning…

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

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

The bigger the uterus, the more painful the dysmenorrhea even if you don’t have endometriosis.

The bigger the uterus, the more painful the dysmenorrhea even if you don’t have endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

The literature finds no correlation between ultrasound or perioperative findings and pain intensity. Thus, a tool to predict pain intensity will ease the choice for proper treatments and follow-ups. In the study led by Dr. Zhao et al., the ultrasonographic…

Key Points Lay Summary

Serum Galectin-9 : A promising marker for endometriosis diagnosis

Serum Galectin-9 : A promising marker for endometriosis diagnosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Jarollahi and colleagues from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran have published their research on serum levels of Galectin-9 as a noninvasive marker for endometriosis in the "Journal of Reproduction & Infertility". Endometriosis imposes a great challenge in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain Have a Negative Experience With Doctors

Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain Have a Negative Experience With Doctors By Özge Özkaya

Women with chronic pelvic pain have a negative experience with the healthcare system, according to a study by US researchers published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This is the case regardless of whether or not they have…

Key Points Lay Summary

The enhanced invasiveness, migration and the development of adenomyosis: Importance of M2 macrophages

The enhanced invasiveness, migration and the development of adenomyosis: Importance of M2 macrophages By Hale Goksever Celik

Adenomyosis is the ectopic presence of endometrial stromal and glandular cells inside the myometrial tissue. Adenomyosis is diagnosed in women with gynecological problems with an incidence of 20%, although it is encountered much more frequently in hysterectomy specimens. Among many…

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

Postoperative pregnancy outcomes in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis

Postoperative pregnancy outcomes in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Subperitoneal invasion of endometriotic lesions exceeding 5 mm in depth is named "deep infiltrating endometriosis' and can be located on uterosacral ligaments, in the intestine, vagina, bladder, and ureter. Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis suffer from pelvic pain and infertility most…

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

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

Is the pathogenesis of endometriosis hidden in immune-related gene profiles ?

Is the pathogenesis of endometriosis hidden in immune-related gene profiles ? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Yanan He and colleagues from the Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University, China  have published their manuscript on potential immune markers in endometriosis in a recent issue of  “Journal of Immunology Research” Pathophysiologic mechanisms involving endometriosis are complicated and have…

Key Points Lay Summary

The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of dysmenorrrhea

The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of dysmenorrrhea By Selma Oransay

Asymptomatic endometriosis does not adversely affect women's quality of life and mental health. But the quality of life of women with endometriosis who suffer endometriosis-related pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dysuria declines as they become more susceptible to anxiety and…

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

Weighting (side)effects when dealing with endometriosis-associated pain.

Weighting (side)effects when dealing with endometriosis-associated pain. By Bahar Yuksel

The treatment options for endometriosis-related pain are so many. And the guidelines leave the selection to the clinicians, which causes obscurity between preferences. In the study by Christine Poulos et al, the authors analyzed the response of clinicians on the…

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

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

Economic burden while living with endometriosis.

Economic burden while living with endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease when all the symptoms are considered. Besides mental and physical effects, the economic burden is also a problem for the patients. In the study conducted by Josep Darbà et al, the costs of endometriosis have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Iron and toxic environmental elements in ovarian endometriomas

Iron and toxic environmental elements in ovarian endometriomas By Selma Oransay

It is well-known that the growth of endometriotic lesions is estrogen-dependent and supported by inflammatory processes. In addition to oxidative stress, it is believed that several other factors, including chemicals and environmental factors, and genetic predisposition may play a potential…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis-Associated Pain: The Role of Sensitization

Endometriosis-Associated Pain: The Role of Sensitization By Eylül GÜN

As the most common symptom of the disease, endometriosis-associated pain (EAP) is experienced as dysmenorrhea, non-cyclical pelvic pain, and cyclical pain related to organ function. EAP is contributed to by different mechanisms, including local factors, peripheral sensitization, central sensitization, cross-sensitization,…

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

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

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

The "Painful Periods Screening Tool" Could Speed Endometriosis Diagnosis

The By Özge Özkaya

The Painful Periods Screening Tool (PPST) is a useful tool for women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. The study's authors said that the tool “ facilitated communication between patients and providers…

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

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

 How accurate is ultrasonography in evaluating deep infiltrating endometriosis?

 How accurate is ultrasonography in evaluating deep infiltrating endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) appears to be the most severe form of endometriosis comprising 15-30% of all endometriosis patients. The difference in the presentation of the lesions ranges from simple adhesions to infiltrative nodules. Even though there is no consensus…

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

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

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

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

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

Educational Programs Important to Raise Endometriosis Awareness

Educational Programs Important to Raise Endometriosis Awareness By Özge Özkaya

An educational program consisting of lectures and group discussions motivated nursing and medical students to seek medical attention so endometriosis can be detected and managed early, reported a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online. However, this…

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

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

Endometriosis Increases Risk of Sexual Dysfunction But Only Before Menopause

Endometriosis Increases Risk of Sexual Dysfunction But Only Before Menopause By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis increases the risk of sexual dysfunction, found a new study by US scientists. But this is the case only before menopause.  This finding can guide doctors in decision-making about evaluating the sexual function of women with endometriosis who have…

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

Organizing structural protein Ezrin and its active form in endometriosis biopsies

Organizing structural protein Ezrin and its active form in endometriosis biopsies By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Alessandra Peloggia and colleagues from Brazil have published their results on immunostaining of Ezrin protein and its phosphorylated active form in endometrial tissues in a recent issue of “Clinics” Possible factors on endometrial cell implantation and proliferation in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Body Image

Endometriosis and Body Image By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis has a negative effect on health-related quality of life and body familiarity according to a new study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Based on this finding, the authors of the study recommend that body familiarity should be…

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

The association between severe endometriosis and venous thromboembolism

The association between severe endometriosis and venous thromboembolism By Hale Goksever Celik

For clarifying the issue of whether endometriosis patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism due to both their local immune and inflammatory responses and hormonal treatments, Wiegers et al,  from the Netherlands, published an explorative cohort study entitled “Risk of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pelvic pain characteristics in young girls with endometriosis.

 Pelvic pain characteristics in young girls with endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

The occurrence of severe and frequent pelvic pain in young women is a piece of evidence that endometriosis begins and develops at an early age. Two-thirds of women with endometriosis who were diagnosed in their adulthood reported the onset of…

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

An important matter to revise: Immune system changes in endometriosis

An important matter to revise: Immune system changes in endometriosis By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease with unclear and obscure pathogenetic mechanisms. In their review, Chopyak et al. revised the immunopathogenic pathways that are proven and/or thought to be responsible for disease development and progression. The article was published in the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal Ultrasound Could Be Sufficient to Properly Diagnose Deep Endometriosis and Ovarians Endometriomas

Transvaginal Ultrasound Could Be Sufficient to Properly Diagnose Deep Endometriosis and Ovarians Endometriomas By Özge Özkaya

Following the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis consensus can improve the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound to diagnose ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journalUltrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. “ (…) at this…

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 best method for the diagnosis of endometriosis: SEE and BELIEVE

The best method for the diagnosis of endometriosis: SEE and BELIEVE By Eylül GÜN

Deciding on the best diagnostic procedure for endometriosis patients has been a recent subject of debate. While some clinicians believe non-invasive methods such as imaging and symptom-based treatment should be the choice in the diagnosis, some believe the best method…

Key Points Lay Summary

Validity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Deep Pelvic Endometriosis.

Validity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Deep Pelvic Endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Video laparoscopy has become a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing endometriosis in recent years. In cases associated with deep infiltrating endometriosis, the need for a non-invasive diagnostic method before laparoscopic evaluation paves the way for using MRI.  The use…

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

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

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

Chasing gold to find endometriosis.

Chasing gold to find endometriosis. By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is a disease that doesn’t have a proper preoperative diagnostic test. Thus, animal models to study endometriosis are vital to show the effects of drugs and the effects of the disease on the body. In the study conducted by…

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

Would it be possible to diagnose endometriosis from a vaginal swab?

Would it be possible to diagnose endometriosis from a vaginal swab? By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Ectopic endometrial tissues with new vessel formations in an inflammatory background have a component of mast cell-derived exosomal tRF-Leu-AAG-001 promoting inflammation and angiogenesis. This information is according to the paper published in a recent issue of the journal “BMC Women’s Health”,…

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

The role of oxidative stress on endometriosis symptomatology

The role of oxidative stress on endometriosis symptomatology By Bahar Yuksel

Endometriosis is not only a hormonal disease, but it is also an inflammatory illness provoked by hormones. In the review conducted by Hossein Ansariniya et al., from Iran, the relation between oxidative stress, free radicals, free iron, and the development of…

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

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

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

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Endometriosis

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

There are several theories contributing the development of endometriosis: one of the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms is the abnormality in immune and inflammatory system. Several immunologic diseases coexist with endometriosis depending on the common immunologic characteristics such as Tumor necrosis Factor…

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

Who Is Diagnosing my Endo?

Who Is Diagnosing my Endo? By Özge Özkaya

It is possible to acquire the skills necessary to diagnose endometriosis lesions as well as adenomyosis using three-dimensional rectosonography after a short learning period in an expert radiology center. This is according to a new study by French researchers published…

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

Preferential expression of some membrane type matrix metalloproteinase proteins

Preferential expression of some membrane type matrix metalloproteinase proteins By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Maoga and associates from academic institutions located in Germany and Kenya have published their findings on the immunohistochemical expression of MT-MMP proteins, namely MT2-MMP (MMP15) and MT3-MMP (MMP16) in the eutopic endometrium of healthy and endometriotic patients; and also…

Key Points Lay Summary

Comparison of imaging techniques for estimating the depth of bowel wall infiltration by endometriosis.

Comparison of imaging techniques for estimating the depth of bowel wall infiltration by endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

The surgical removal of deep endometriosis is the cornerstone of the management. However, the decision for the varying surgical approach types ranging from conservative management (shaving) to segmental or discoid resection depends on the depth of infiltration within the bowel wall, which…

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

How reliable are the patient questionnaires in predicting endometriosis?

How reliable are the patient questionnaires in predicting endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

It is well known that the diagnosis of endometriosis is delayed in the majority of patients throughout the world. The burden that this brings has many effects on the patients’ lives as well as the society. The radiological developments in…

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

Genetic prediction models for endometriosis diagnosis

Genetic prediction models for endometriosis diagnosis By Bahar Yuksel

There are many studies trying to find a mysterious gene that would solve all the mysteries of endometriosis, yet none have been identified up to now. In the study conducted by She et al, the authors revealed an R system…

Key Points Lay Summary

Listening to patients’ complaints is the first step on the way to a diagnosis of endometriosis.

Listening to patients’ complaints is the first step on the way to a diagnosis of endometriosis. By Hale Goksever Celik

Early diagnosis and management of endometriosis are not possible due to the wide spectrum of symptoms and absence of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Particularly the adolescent population is at risk for the diagnostic delay because pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea are very…

Key Points Lay Summary

Prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis by transvaginal ultrasound.

Prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis by transvaginal ultrasound. By Selma Oransay

Women who present dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, dyschezia, chronic abdominal, and pelvic pain, and infertility would benefit from the early investigation. If the correct diagnosis of endometriosis and/or adenomyosis can be made in advance, early treatment will improve the quality of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Non-invasive diagnostic tools for endometriosis revisited

Non-invasive diagnostic tools for endometriosis revisited By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Signorile and associates from the Italian Endometriosis Foundation have published the results of their retrospective study on a large cohort of endometriosis patients in a recent issue of the periodical, In Vivo. Endometriosis lacks precise scientific knowledge and this brings…

Key Points Lay Summary

Imaging Techniques Able to Predict Depth of Endometriosis Before Surgery

Imaging Techniques Able to Predict Depth of Endometriosis Before Surgery By Özge Özkaya

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed by a specialist can accurately predict the depth of rectosigmoid endometriosis before surgery, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Both approaches are similar…

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

Risk of cardiovascular disease in endometriosis patients

Risk of cardiovascular disease in endometriosis patients By Eylül GÜN

A well-known fact about endometriosis is the inflammatory processes that underlie its pathophysiology. The inflammatory markers have been thought to play a role in many additional disorders in endometriosis patients. One of the primary markers of inflammation is C-reactive protein…

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

Endometriosis of the Diaphragm, What do the Doctors Know About it?

Endometriosis of the Diaphragm, What do the Doctors Know About it? By Özge Özkaya

The median time between the first consultation with a primary care physician and receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis of the diaphragm is two years according to a study by U.K. researchers. In the worse case, it took 23 years for…

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

Endometriosis: Beyond the naked eye visibility

Endometriosis: Beyond the naked eye visibility By Bahar Yuksel

The gold standard method for endometriosis diagnosis is histopathologic evaluation of the resected lesions. The study conducted by Sara-Michelle Gratton et al. in Canada evaluated the possible effect of developed laparoscopic skills and equipment on the endometriosis diagnosis, and whether…

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

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

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

A trial of exogenous melatonin on dysmenorrhea in women "without endometriosis"

A trial of exogenous melatonin on dysmenorrhea in women By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

In their recent article published in “European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology”,  Dr. Söderman and associates from Stockholm report the results of their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effects of oral melatonin in women with dysmenorrhea -unrelated to endometriosis-. Melatonin is a hormone…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cancer invasion genes to explain invasiveness of adenomyosis

Cancer invasion genes to explain invasiveness of adenomyosis By Bahar Yuksel

Adenomyosis looks similar to endometriosis, but it is not the same. However, the invasiveness and migration patterns of both diseases have something in common. The study conducted by Guo et al. questioned whether invasiveness genes that have already been studied…

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

Vitamin A interrupts epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis

Vitamin A interrupts epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The mechanism underlying the endometriosis formation is still not clear. Recent studies are focusing on the effect of retinoic acid and IL6 on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the study conducted by Luyi Li et al, the researchers also questioned the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives on Endometriosis Pain

Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives on Endometriosis Pain By Özge Özkaya

There is no difference between the oral progestin dienogest and combined oral contraceptive pills in managing pain and increasing quality of life in women with endometriosis, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. However, there was…

Key Points Lay Summary

Indocyanin Green dye for recognition of occult endometriotic lesions

Indocyanin Green dye for recognition of occult endometriotic lesions By Bahar Yuksel

The surgery for endometriosis is challenging and the resection of all lesions is not accurately related to not catching all lesions under white light (WL) conventional laparoscopy. In the study conducted by Luigi Carlo Turco et al., in a tertiary…

Key Points Lay Summary

Efficacy of cannabis on endometriosis symptoms

Efficacy of cannabis on endometriosis symptoms By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is related to a wide range of symptoms that affect the quality of life of patients in many aspects. Studies have shown malfunctions in the endocannabinoid system in endometriosis patients which led to the idea to target this pathway…

Key Points Lay Summary

Intravascular adenomyomatosis: an important entity to be alert

Intravascular adenomyomatosis: an important entity to be alert By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Pathologists from Stanford University, USA have recently published four novel cases of intravascular adenomyomatosis co-existing with pelvic endometriosis in a recent issue of “Human Pathology”. Intravascular leiomyomatosis is characterized by the presence of smooth muscle in venous and lymphatic spaces…

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

A plea from pathologists: standardized protocols for adenomyosis and endometriosis  

A plea from pathologists: standardized protocols for adenomyosis and endometriosis   By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Pathologist Drs. Camboni and Marbaix from Brussels, Belgium published their comprehensive review on adenomyosis and endometriosis titled “Ectopic endometrium: the pathologists’ perspective” in a recent issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Endometriosis and adenomyosis are well-known entities as…

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

Pharmacological Therapy for Endometriosis Pain

Pharmacological Therapy for Endometriosis Pain By Eylül GÜN

The negative effects of endometriosis on women’s quality of life are indisputable. Women who suffer from endometriosis might have to deal with problems in many aspects such as psychological, sexual, social, and economic. Pain which is one of the most…

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

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

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

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

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

Adenomyosis in adolescents

Adenomyosis in adolescents By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Exacoustos and colleagues from two tertiary referral university hospitals in Italy published their results on adenomyosis in adolescent patients in a recent issue of  “The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology”. Adenomyosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma…

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

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

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

The added value of transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy for infertile women

The added value of transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy for infertile women By Selma Oransay

The added value of invasive diagnostic laparoscopy has been questioned, postponed by the increased usage of ultrasonography for the evaluation of infertile patients. Gordts et al. from Life Expert Center, Leuven, Belgium have been working on an alternative way called "transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy" to…

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

The role of physical examination and interview in Endometriosis Diagnosis

The role of physical examination and interview in Endometriosis Diagnosis By Bahar Yuksel

Today we know that the most accurate diagnosis of endometriosis necessitates surgery and histopathological examination of the excised lesions. However, many women are misdiagnosed due to various symptoms of endometriosis which mystify gastrointestinal, urinary, and musculoskeletal diseases. Nawrocka-Rutkowska and colleagues…

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

The incidence and prevalence of endometriosis in a United States population-based study .

The incidence and prevalence  of endometriosis in a United States population-based study . By Selma Oransay

To define the accurate incidence and prevalence estimates of endometriosis among nonselected cohorts in the USA, Christ et al. from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Washington, Seattle, planned a retrospective cohort study using the electronic KPWA…

Key Points Lay Summary

Long noncoding RNAs to predict the endometriosis recurrence

Long noncoding RNAs to predict the endometriosis recurrence By Hale Goksever Celik

Despite extensive research, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism of endometriosis remains unclear; and the absence of non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis is still a big problem both for clinicians and patients. The recurrence of endometriosis is another challenge that is difficult…

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

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

A scoping review proposal for the diagnostic and treatment delay of endometriosis

A scoping review proposal for the diagnostic and treatment delay of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Women with endometriosis suffer from pain for a prolonged time due to diagnostic and treatment delay which is the most challenging aspect of endometriosis. Cromeens et al, from the USA, published a review entitled “Timing, delays, and pathways to the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Not just the pain stops but also the bowel function improves after DIE surgery

Not just the pain stops but also the bowel function improves after DIE surgery By Bahar Yuksel

Bowel endometriosis and the techniques to operate it have always been a challenge. The study conducted by Beraldo et al., from Brazil, highlighted the results of an effective nerve-sparing bowel surgery on endometriosis lesions and its long-term effects on patients. The…

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

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

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

Impact of adenomyosis on sexual life

Impact of adenomyosis on sexual life By Selma Oransay

Considering the similar etiopathogenesis and pain symptoms between adenomyosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis, Alcalde et al. from the Department of Gynecology, University of Barcelona, Spain, aimed to call attention to the presence of potential sexual dysfunction not only in patients with deep…

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

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

A pictorial overview of abdominal wall endometriosis

A pictorial overview of abdominal wall endometriosis  By Hale Goksever Celik

Abdominal wall endometriosis is the most frequent location of extrapelvic endometriosis, and defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue between the peritoneum and the skin through the abdominal wall. Although obstetric or gynecologic surgical history is indispensable for the…

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Endometriosis and susceptibility to COVID-19

Endometriosis and susceptibility to COVID-19 By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Moazzami and associates from Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Tehran, Iran have published their results on COVID-19 in endometriosis patients in the medical journal named "BMC’s Women’s Health". COVID-19 is still an emerging critical global health problem…

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

Adenomyosis: accuracy of the diagnostic methods and the synchronism with deep infiltrating endometriosis

Adenomyosis: accuracy of the diagnostic methods and the synchronism with deep infiltrating endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Alborzi and associates from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, have published their comprehensive retrospective research conducted on 3725 patients with clinical symptoms of endometriosis over a period of 3 years, in "Reproductive Sciences" medical journal.  A relationship between…

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

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

The cause of PAIN in patients with adenomyosis

The cause of PAIN in patients with adenomyosis By Bahar Yuksel

Adenomyosis is known to be a painful disease with heavy menstrual cycles and negatively affects fertility. Even adenomyosis and endometriosis look alike, it is still crucial to call them as different variation of the same disease. The mechanism underlying the…

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the cause of Dienogest-resistance in patients with endometrioma?

 What is the cause of Dienogest-resistance in patients with endometrioma? By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis may cause infertility in women, leading to adhesions in the pelvis, besides affecting the ovaries. Clinicians concern about the child-bearing desire of their patients when treating them surgically or with hormonal therapy. Dienogest (DNG) is a kind of progestin,…

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

Endometriosis, Fatigue and Productivity

 Endometriosis, Fatigue and Productivity By Ellen Tumimbang

Fatigue is one of the prominent and distressing symptoms of endometriosis-associated with insomnia, depression, pain, occupational stress, and reduced health-related quality of life. Endometriosis-related fatigue causes significant impairments in workplace productivity and daily activities of women with endometriosis. Loss of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Separation of epithelia and stroma components in endometriosis lesions yields remarkable molecular points - Ie-Ming Shih, MD, Ph.D.

Separation of epithelia and stroma components in endometriosis lesions yields remarkable molecular points - Ie-Ming Shih, MD, Ph.D. By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

The pathologies of adenomyosis and endometriosis are unique among non-malignant gynecological diseases and provide fertile research topics. Ectopic endometrial tissues may have distinct molecular changes distinct from eutopic endometria despite having similar morphology. In this regard, there are intriguing suggestions as…

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

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

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

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

Endometriosis and chronic opioid use

Endometriosis and chronic opioid use By Selma Oransay

The members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have declared that gynecologists prescribe opioids after laparoscopic hysterectomy, or for relieving endometriosis pain, although guidelines are not available for when or how to use opioids for the treatment of endometriosis-associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adolescent endometriosis: Diagnostic clues?

Adolescent endometriosis: Diagnostic clues? By Irem Onur

The rates of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents showing endometriosis signs on ultrasound are significantly higher compared to those without. This is according to a retrospective observational study recently published in the journal "Fertility and Sterility". The…

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

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities for the deep infiltrating endometriosis

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities for the deep infiltrating endometriosis By Selma Oransay

The treatment of deeply infiltrated endometriosis (DIE) is usually personalized and the potential success for the available therapeutical options is dependent on early and accurate diagnosis. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DIE. Other non-invasive diagnostic methods…

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

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

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

Segmental bowel resection could be predicted using MRI in patients with rectal endometriosis

Segmental bowel resection could be predicted using MRI in patients with rectal endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

The rectum and recto-sigmoid junction are the preferential localisations of bowel endometriosis. The three main surgical approaches are shaving, disc excision, and segmental resection. It is very important to decide the most appropriate surgical method preoperatively and to plan accordingly. …

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

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

Body mass index, the incidence of endometriosis and the severity of dysmenorrhoea

Body mass index, the incidence of endometriosis and the severity of dysmenorrhoea By Timur Seckin

According to a case-control study conducted by researchers from China, there is no association between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of endometriosis. This finding contrasts with the conventional knowledge that low BMI is a risk factor for endometriosis.…

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

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

Pain and Quality of Life Following Surgical Treatment for Endometriosis

Pain and Quality of Life Following Surgical Treatment for Endometriosis By Ellen Tumimbang

Currently, laparoscopy is the preferred approach as a surgical treatment of endometriosis. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery to reduce the painful symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with endometriosis in the short term…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Endometriosis prevalence among adolescents with pelvic pain

Endometriosis prevalence among adolescents with pelvic pain By Irem Onur

An updated review conducted by the investigators at EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, United Kingdom, in collaboration with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Foundation Trust of the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research at the University of Birmingham…

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

Is Endometriosis More Common Among Women of Certain Race/Ethnicity?

Is Endometriosis More Common Among Women of Certain Race/Ethnicity? By Özge Özkaya

Race/ethnicity seems to have an influence on the prevalence of endometriosis with black women appearing to be less likely to be diagnosed with the disease compared to white women. However, other factors such as access and response to treatment may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Adolescent dysmenorrhea diagnosis and management

Adolescent dysmenorrhea diagnosis and management By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. However, recent literature proved that clinical symptoms of endometriosis are also seen the adolescent girls and young women. Dysmenorrhea, the most common gynecologic complaint among this age group, can develop due to endometriosis.…

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

Endometriosis Diagnosis in White, Black, and Asian Women

Endometriosis Diagnosis in White, Black, and Asian Women By Özge Özkaya

In a commentary published in the "International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology", Drs. Farland and Horne talk about a study by researchers in Canada and the Philippines, which found that black women are less likely, and Asian women are more likely to…

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

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

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

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

Postmenopausal endometriosis: Is it a rare phenomenon?

Postmenopausal endometriosis: Is it a rare phenomenon? By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis, the estrogen-dependent disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity, is generally diagnosed in the reproductive-aged women. However, recent literature proved that this disease can also be observed in the premenopausal and…

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

Appendiceal endometriosis

Appendiceal endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Jeong et al. from the Departement of Surgery, Trinity School of Medicine, Saint Vincent, recently published their interesting appendectomy case in "Hong Kong Medical Journal". In their case, endometriosis inside the cavity of the appendix mimicked appendicitis, the patient submitted…

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

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

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

A Routine Pelvic Ultrasound Examination Should Include an Evaluation for Endometriosis

A Routine Pelvic Ultrasound Examination Should Include an Evaluation for Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Routine pelvic ultrasound examination should be extended beyond the uterus and ovaries into the posterior and anterior pelvic compartments, according to Australian doctors.  With such examinations, deep infiltrating endometriosis nodules can be searched, say the authors, allowing women to be…

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 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

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

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

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

Clinical Evaluation of Endometriosis-Associated Pain

Clinical Evaluation of Endometriosis-Associated Pain By Nadire Duru

Endometriosis has a noteworthy impact on the quality of life of the patients diagnosed with it since it is associated with unpleasant conditions such as endometriosis-associated pain. The diagnosis of endometriosis is not always straightforward because of the varying symptoms…

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

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

Primary care physicians have a crucial role in the early diagnosis of endometriosis

Primary care physicians have a crucial role in the early diagnosis of endometriosis By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Verket and associates from the University of Oslo, Norway, published their cross-sectional anonymous postal questionnaire study in "BMJ open". Diagnosing endometriosis is difficult because dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility are also common among other diseases. The most accurate and reliable diagnosis…

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

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

Rare lesions in the pathologic examinations of endometriosis.

Rare lesions in the pathologic examinations of endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Dr. Glenn McCluggage from the Department of Pathology, Belfast Health, and Social Care Trust, penned a review about selected uncommon variants of endometriosis or benign alterations that may cause difficulties of pathologic diagnosis and provided all related histopathological illustrations in…

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

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

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

Circulating Endometrial Cells

Circulating Endometrial Cells By Yu Yu

Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose because of non-specific symptoms. Currently, there is no biomarker that allows for non-invasive diagnosis of the condition.  Surgical laparoscopy remains the standard for diagnosis. Circulating endometrial cells (CECs) is the lymphovascular spread of endometrial cells.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is deep infiltrating rectosigmoid endometriosis a progressive disease?

Is deep infiltrating rectosigmoid endometriosis a progressive disease? By Demet Candaş Green

This study by Netter at al., published in "Human Reproduction" in November 2019 aimed to assess the risk of progression of deep endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectosigmoid and to evaluate the influence of continuous amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation) on the development…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recurrent endometriosis is a real challenge both for the patients and clinicians

Recurrent endometriosis is a real challenge both for the patients and clinicians By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. Current medical and surgical treatment options have several limitations including the side effects, costs, risk of recurrence, effects on conception capability. Recurrence is a…

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

Transvaginal Ultrasound of Endometriosis

Transvaginal Ultrasound of Endometriosis By Murat Osman

A recent manuscript published by Collins et al. from the Department of Radiology at Penn State Hershey Medical Center aims to review the transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) evaluation of endometriosis and offer a protocol that is dedicated to the thorough evaluation…

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

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

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

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

Endometriosis and the quality of life

Endometriosis and the quality of life By Selma Oransay

Recent developments of technics and improvement of skill in the laparoscopic field increased the courage of clinicians to attempt early and multiple diagnostic operations on endometriotic patients. Vanuccini et al. from NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy recently published their…

Key Points Lay Summary

How Long Does it Take to Be Diagnosed with Endometriosis?

How Long Does it Take to Be Diagnosed with Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

It takes a median of eight years to reach a diagnosis of endometriosis from when the symptoms of the condition first appear confirmed a new British study. Interestingly, it seems that the earlier the symptoms appear, the later the disease…

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

Adolescent dysmenorrhea and future endometriosis

Adolescent dysmenorrhea and future endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Dysmenorrhoea is typically classified as primary, or secondary due to underlying pathologies like fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis or uterine anomalies. Generally, long-term dysmenorrhea is present in endometriotic patient's anamnesis, but until recently, the research to clarify this connection remained retrospective. Knox et…

Key Points Lay Summary

Clinical trial for the use of oral lactobacillus on endometriosis pain severity

Clinical trial for the use of oral lactobacillus on endometriosis pain severity By Yu Yu

The standard treatment of endometriosis consists of surgery and hormonal based treatment. There is evidence for the efficacy of these types of treatment, although their side effects remain a critical consideration for women. Based on molecular studies, changes in the…

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

DNA repair defects and Endometriosis

DNA repair defects and Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder and highly associated with inflammation. It is well suggested that endometriosis increases the risks of developing cancers such as ovarian, breast, endocrine, and colorectal cancers. Compared to cancer, there are many similarities in endometriosis. Well-known characteristics…

Key Points Lay Summary

What happens to women with endometriosis after menopause?

What happens to women with endometriosis after menopause? By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive period of life, with expected regression of lesions in the postmenopausal period. Literature about postmenopausal endometriosis assessing the prevalence, pathogenesis, and treatment is limited. As 2-5 % of postmenopausal women are affected by this uncommon condition, developing stress…

Key Points Lay Summary

Disparities in Access to Healthcare in Women with Endometriosis

Disparities in Access to Healthcare in Women with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

There are significant differences in the use of medical services and prescriptions between women with endometriosis who have private healthcare and those who don’t. This is according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.   This…

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

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

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

MRI or TVS for accurate diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis?

MRI or TVS for accurate diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis? By Demet Candaş Green

Rectosigmoid endometriosis (RE) is seen in about 90% of patients with bowel endometriosis. Rectosigmoid is the region between the rectum and the sigmoid colon, which is a region easily accessed and assessed by two most common noninvasive imaging modalities –…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAX8 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of Extragenital Endometriosis

PAX8 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of Extragenital Endometriosis By Serdar Balci

This study is performed by Arakawa T et al., from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, and the results are published in Reproductive Sciences. Endometriosis is seen in many organs including peritoneum, ovaries, bowel, bladder, and even lung. Histopathologic diagnosis may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Bowel endometriosis: What you need to know

Bowel endometriosis: What you need to know By Demet Candaş Green

When the endometrial tissue infiltrates the intestinal walls and reaches inside the intestines, this condition is called "bowel endometriosis". It is estimated that between 3.8% and 37% of women with endometriosis are affected by bowel endometriosis. The endometriosis lesions infiltrating…

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

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

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

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

Development of Less Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Endometriosis Through Proteomics

Development of Less Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Endometriosis Through Proteomics By Murat Osman

Proteomics is a field which utilizes various methods to carry out large-scale studies of proteins. Due to the inherent nature of the field, proteomics focuses on the identification, localization, and functional analysis of the protein make-up of a given type…

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

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

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

Targeted therapy biomarkers in endometriosis associated ovarian carcinomas

Targeted therapy biomarkers in endometriosis associated ovarian carcinomas By Serdar Balci

Endometriosis in ovaries is a known precursor of endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas. They may be resistant to classical therapies. Researchers search for alternative and targeted therapy options. This study, from the University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, will be…

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

Endometriosis: A review on anatomic principles and the management

Endometriosis: A review on anatomic principles and the management By Irem Onur

In the study of Alimi et al. which has been published in the journal Cureus, various aspects of endometriosis such as the pathophysiology, the anatomy, the pain mechanism, the perineural spread theory, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and imaging, infertility, unusual cases,…

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

Preoperative Staging of Endometriosis: The Value of MRI After Dynamic Transvaginal Ultrasound

Preoperative Staging of Endometriosis: The Value of MRI After Dynamic Transvaginal Ultrasound By Irem Onur

Since endometriosis is a chronic and progressive disease, early diagnosis and proper staging are important for the patient and for the clinician to discuss and plan the required surgical procedures for treatment. Common diagnostic tools for pre-operative staging of deep…

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

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

Best endometriosis articles of the past year.

Best endometriosis articles of the past year.  By Selma Oransay

Dr.Stowall, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Methodist Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA penned this letter and recently published it in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology to show his remarks of importance on four best publications of the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Three dimensional sono-vaginography to diagnose rectovaginal endometriosis

Three dimensional sono-vaginography to diagnose rectovaginal endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is defined as the localization of ectopic endometrial tissue penetrating more than 5 mm into the affected pelvic organs. Rectovaginal endometriosis is the most severe form of deep infiltrating endometriosis in which ectopic endometrial tissue infiltrating rectum…

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

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, Pain and Quality of Life

Endometriosis, Pain and Quality of Life By Deniz Kocas

Although studies show that pain in endometriosis is associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL), details as to which pain symptoms contribute to such a decline have not been explored. For the first time in this study, researchers from…

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

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

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

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

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

Women recommended laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain

Women recommended laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain By Irem Onur

Chronic pelvic pain is a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. It has many etiologies in many organ systems. Clinician and patient factors affect the management of chronic pelvic pain. Mirowska-Allen K.L. et al. have recently published an article titled, “The characteristics of…

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

Therapeutic potential of ginseng based compound in preclinical models of endometriosis

Therapeutic potential of ginseng based compound in preclinical models of endometriosis By Yu Yu

Currently, the drug option for women with endometriosis mainly focus on reducing estrogens levels (e.g., progestins, androgens, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and aromatase inhibitors). However, these therapies can have low effectiveness with frequent recurrence and considerable side effects. Therefore, there…

Key Points Lay Summary

3,6-DHF suppresses the invasive properties of endometrial stromal cells through the Notch signaling

3,6-DHF suppresses the invasive properties of endometrial stromal cells through the Notch signaling By Dr. Youngran Park

Dr. Zhou group reported recently that 3,6-DHF can inhibit the development of EMT, migration, and invasion of endometrial stromal cells by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway. Endometriosis is a condition in which the layer of tissue (glands and mesenchyme) that normally…

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

Adrenomedullin: The Pervasive Peptide

Adrenomedullin: The Pervasive Peptide By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Aboulghar, from the Cairo University, recently penned an article titled “Role of adrenomedullin in reproduction and endometriosis” that was published in Fertility and Sterility. This article looks at the function of Adrenomedullin (AM) in pregnancy and endometriosis and it…

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

N-acetyl cysteine, alpha lipoic acid and bromelain improved endometriosis-associated pelvic pain

N-acetyl cysteine, alpha lipoic acid and bromelain improved endometriosis-associated pelvic pain By Yu Yu

Oxidative stress has been implicated in many processes that lead to the development and progression of endometriosis. Typically, women with endometriosis have to endure pelvic pain which negatively impacts their quality of life. Pelvic pain can be chronic and related…

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

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

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

Fallopian Tube Capability in Women with Pelvic Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Fallopian Tube Capability in Women with Pelvic Endometriosis and Adenomyosis By Kasthuri Nair

Xia et al. recently published a paper titled “Effects of pelvic endometriosis and adenomyosis on the ciliary beat frequency and muscular contractions in the human fallopian tube” in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. This research group primarily from Shanghai Jiaotong University…

Key Points Lay Summary

Elevated levels of adrenomedullin in eutopic endometrium and plasma from women with endometriosis.

Elevated levels of adrenomedullin in eutopic endometrium and plasma from women with endometriosis. By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the eutopic endometrium, commonly in the peritoneum of the pelvis and in pelvic organs, and often causing scarring and pain. The nonspecific nature of endometriosis…

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

Contraceptives for the management of endometriosis pain

Contraceptives for the management of endometriosis pain By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease that affects many women of reproductive age and is associated with significant morbidity. One of the treatment options for women with endometriosis is the use of oral contraceptives (OCPs) for pain management. However, its…

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

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

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

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

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

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

The use of retinoic acid for the treatment of endometriosis

The use of retinoic acid for the treatment of endometriosis By Murat Osman

Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain in women during their childbearing years. Several drugs have been researched to either reduce inflammation, decrease growth, or kill endometriotic cells. Retinoic acid (Vitamin A) is one such molecule…

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

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 endometrial stem cell markers notch-1 and numb are associated with endometriosis. 

The endometrial stem cell markers notch-1 and numb are associated with endometriosis.  By Dr. Youngran Park

The pathological mechanisms of endometriosis are still poorly understood. However, stem cells have been candidates of interest because of their high proliferation potential and their ability to differentiate into multiple lineages, contributing to characteristic traits of endometriosis. Also, previous studies…

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

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

Which Endometriosis Treatment is Better: NETA or Extended-cycle OC (Seasonique®)?

Which Endometriosis Treatment is Better: NETA or Extended-cycle OC (Seasonique®)? By Kasthuri Nair

Scala et al. recently shared the findings of their patient preference prospective study in a journal article titled “Norethindrone acetate versus extended-cycle oral contraceptive (Seasonique®) in the treatment of endometriosis symptoms: A prospective open-label comparative study,” which was published in the…

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

Skin Endo Diagnosis

Skin Endo Diagnosis By Özge Özkaya

High-frequency ultrasound can be very useful for the early diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis according to a study published in the journal Skin Research and Technology. The diagnostic tool could be used in patients who have unusual cyclical pain even before…

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

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

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

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

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

MRI Best at Detecting Intestinal Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

MRI Best at Detecting Intestinal Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seems to be a better method in identifying deep infiltrating endometriosis in the intestine compared to two-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS), found a study by researchers in Italy and Spain. However, this does not seem to be the…

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

The Deregulated Molecular Functions Involved in Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Carcinoma

The Deregulated Molecular Functions Involved in Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Carcinoma By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) is postulated to be transformed from endometriosis. Though different deregulated functional areas were proposed accounting for the pathogenesis of EAOC transformation, there is a lack of data-driven analysis to prove this. To understand the EAOC pathogenesis…

Key Points Lay Summary

How good are the current guidelines on endometriosis? 

How good are the current guidelines on endometriosis?  By Dr. Youngran Park

The endometriosis was first described in 1860, yet the etiology and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Treatment strategies vary significantly between disease severity and the symptoms of pain and/or subfertility. These challenges have resulted in multidirectional research, and the comparability of…

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

Dienogest Use Over A Prolonged Period of Time

Dienogest Use Over A Prolonged Period of Time By Kasthuri Nair

There are not a lot of treatments on the market for endometriosis; however, Dienogest (DNG), a progestin that has high selective progesterone activity along with low androgenic activity, has been found to reduce endometriosis-associated pain. Lee et al. recently published…

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

Short-term effects of dienogest on ovarian endometriomas

Short-term effects of dienogest on ovarian endometriomas By Murat Osman

First-line treatment of symptomatic, uncomplicated ovarian endometriosis is the use of progestins with or without estrogens such as Dienogest (DNG). These drugs are used to inhibit ovulation and thus reduce the estrogenic environment in which endometriosis relies upon for survival.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Retinoic Acid and Beclin1 Play an Opposite Role in Endometriosis Development

Retinoic Acid and Beclin1 Play an Opposite Role in Endometriosis Development By Kasthuri Nair

In their paper titled “Retinoic acid regulates endometriotic stromal cell growth through upregulation of Beclin1,” Lu et al. seek to elucidate the mechanism that drives endometriosis disease progression. Retinoic Acid (RA) is a vitamin A metabolite responsible for regulation of…

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

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

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

Protein-Modifying Variants in the Genome and Their Role in Endometriosis

Protein-Modifying Variants in the Genome and Their Role in Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

The results of many endometriosis studies are limited in the fact that they only recruit patients from one geographical area; however, this particular study specifically narrowed their participant search to individuals from one continent, namely Europe. Sapkota et al. chose…

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

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

Endometriosis Should be Diagnosed Timely and Properly

Endometriosis Should be Diagnosed Timely and Properly By Kasthuri Nair

The pain of endometriosis is often worsened by delayed diagnosis. The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) recently published guidelines for the quick and accurate diagnosis of endometriosis. Jacqui Wise discusses these recommendations and their implications in her…

Key Points Lay Summary

Overview of NICE Endometriosis Guidelines

Overview of NICE Endometriosis Guidelines By Kasthuri Nair

In this article titled “Diagnosis and management of endometriosis: summary of NICE guidance,” Kuznetsov et al. talk through the recent endometriosis guidelines set forth by The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE). The BMJ publication hopes to elucidate…

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

Breast Feeding Can Reduce the Risk of Endometriosis

Breast Feeding Can Reduce the Risk of Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

In their publication titled “History of breast feeding and risk of incident endometriosis: prospective cohort study,” Farland et al. examine the benefits of breast feeding. The authors initially hypothesize that the length of lactation in women that have been pregnant…

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

Surgical treatment of colonic endometriosis

Surgical treatment of colonic endometriosis By Demet Candaş Green

In this study, the authors provide a brief report published in the journal "The American Surgeon" which retrospectively reviewed the therapy outcomes in eight consecutive patients who had a laparoscopic surgical intervention for deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) at Anne Arundel Medical Center. The…

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

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

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

Reduced vascularization in ovarian endometriomas associated with less pain

Reduced vascularization in ovarian endometriomas associated with less pain By Yu Yu

Angiogenesis, i.e., the development of new blood vessels is believed to play an important role in endometriosis pathogenesis and symptoms. Endometriosis is associated and requires neovascularization to proliferate, invade surrounding normal structure in order to establish an endometriotic lesion. Ovarian…

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

"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

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

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

Retinoic Acid Signaling Involved in Endometrial Decidualization

Retinoic Acid Signaling Involved in Endometrial Decidualization By Murat Osman

Decidualization occurs in the eutopic endometrium during the luteal phase and is controlled by signaling pathways such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and progesterone. Researchers from the Northwestern University School of Medicine reported in their recent paper entitled "Altered Retinoid…

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

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

Ultrasound Ablation to Treat Endometriosis

Ultrasound Ablation to Treat Endometriosis By Murat Osman

Further Understanding: Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) often presents in the rectosigmoid colon in women with endometriosis and can be the major cause of gastrointestinal and pelvic symptoms. This preliminary study focuses on the utility of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in…

Key Points Lay Summary