By Selma OransayThe effect of endometriosis surgery on female sexual functions
By Selma Oransay
Sexual dysfunction is almost twice as prevalent in women with endometriosis compared to those with other benign gynecological conditions. Deep dyspareunia, a hallmark symptom of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, poses a ninefold higher risk in affected women. This symptom profoundly impacts…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Eylül GÜNUnraveling the Immune System's Role in Endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is often driven by complex immune system interactions. Dysregulated immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, play a significant role in promoting inflammation and lesion progression. Researchers from China Led by Dr.Xu conducted a study to investigate…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Nasuhi Engin AydinReducing False Negatives in Endometriosis Histology Through Deeper Sections
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A group of researchers led by gynecopathologist Professor Joseph Rabban has published their findings in the International Journal of Gynecological Pathology, evaluating the diagnostic utility of deeper tissue sections in biopsies from patients with suspected endometriosis. The definitive diagnosis of…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Hale Goksever CelikLifestyle and Environmental Factors in Endometriosis: Current Insights and Future Directions
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis-associated symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain have an effect to diminish the quality of life. The physical and mental quality of life of these women is adversely affected. There are several studies evaluating the quality of life…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Özge ÖzkayaCommunication of Endometriosis Pain is Complex
By Özge Özkaya
The communication of pain between patients with endometriosis and doctors is complex and includes patterns of disbelief, normalization, and psychological attribution. This is according to a new study by Norwegian scientists published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Role of Uterine Contractility in Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
By Eylül GÜN
Uterine peristalsis, crucial for functions like menstruation and embryo transport, is regulated by hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. Altered peristalsis may contribute to reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. Abnormal uterine contractility patterns, including hyperperistalsis, may help explain…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diagnostic Delays in Endometriosis: Contributing Factors
By Selma Oransay
While the delay in diagnosing endometriosis is well-documented, the reasons behind this delay and the specific gaps in the healthcare system remain poorly understood. Transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful tools in detecting the condition, but laparoscopic surgery…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial Stromal Cell Function: The role of Histone acetyltransferase and Alpha-Enolase
In a study published in the Open Life Sciences, Yin et. al investigated how KAT2A-driven ENO1 succinylation affects the function of endometrial stromal cells in endometriosis, highlighting its role in disease progression and its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exploring the underlying causes of orgasm-related pain in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
As one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis, pain may involve peripheral or central mechanisms resulting in different pain sensations. Female orgasm pain is an underexplored condition associated with pelvic floor myalgia and uterine factors like adenomyosis, likely due to…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Dietary Zinc Intake and Endometriosis Risk in American Women
In a study published in the BMC Public Health, Xie et al. investigated the potential effect of zinc intake and the prevalence of endometriosis with a cross-sectional study. The findings revealed a significant positive association between higher dietary zinc intake and endometriosis prevalence, particularly among…
Key Points Lay Summary
Retrograde Menstruation: Insights from Humans and Non-Human Primates
By Selma Oransay
Vigano et al.from the Academic Center for Research on Adenomyosis and Endometriosis of Milan University, Italy, conducted a comprehensive literature review over a span of 23 years to evaluate retrograde menstruation in both humans and non-human primates, focusing on its role…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Integrating Virtual Reality Modeling for Enhanced Surgical Management of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted by experts are generally sufficient for the surgical planning and management of endometriosis, as noted in a recent study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, incorporating novel techniques such as 3D printing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does endometriosis have an adverse effect on sperm activity?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is one of the symptoms encountered in up to 40-50% of women with endometriosis. There are several pathophysiological theories suggesting the development of endometriosis-associated infertility such as altered pelvic anatomy, adhesions, disrupted ovarian reserve/function and compromised endometrial receptivity as…
Key Points Lay Summary
Knowledge synthesis of the "Relevance of Endometriosis Diagnostic Tools"
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
A Key Modulator of Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Endometriosis: Soluble MICA
In a study published in the American Journal of the Reproductive Immunology, Abrao et al. investigated the potential effect of MHC Class I related MICA molecules at the pathogenesis of the endometriosis. This study highlights a novel role of soluble MICA (sMICA) in endometriosis, showing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Metabolic and Cellular Changes in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis
In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Khashchenko et al. explored the association of cellular and exosomal markers of glycolysis, mitochondrial biogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and estrogen signaling in peritoneal endometriosis among adolescents to understand early disease-related metabolic reprogramming. This case–control…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis: Investigating Theoretical Causes and Pathogenesis
By Selma Oransay
Understanding the etiology of endometriosis is crucial for preventing its occurrence and minimizing the significant health burdens it imposes on women. As current treatment options are limited and often lead to severe side effects, identifying potential causes can empower women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians Zhang and Yan from Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China, have recently published a pivotal study in Scientific Reports examining the cancer risk associated with endometriosis. Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting approximately 6–10% of women worldwide, significantly diminishes quality of life…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on the Role of Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Three genes, TNFSF12, AP3M1, and PDK2 could be key biomarkers of programmed cell death in endometriosis, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. “These findings provide new directions for the early diagnosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic port site complications.
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Semm performed the first laparoscopic surgery in September 1980 at the University of Kiel, marking a significant milestone. Following 1985, laparoscopy expanded beyond urogynecology into various medical fields, becoming widely accepted for interventions in multiple anatomical spaces. In recent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Appendiceal Endometriosis Associated With Ovarian and Bladder Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
There is a significant association between appendiceal, ovarian, and bladder endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This could be explained by the spread of the disease via the shedding of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Gluten-free diet fot endometriosis-associated gastrointestinal symptoms
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
Macrophage Phenotypes Induced by Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Endometriosis
In a study published in the Biomolecules, Martínez-Zamora et al. investigated the potential effect of circulating sEVs in the plasma of well-characterized patients with endometriosis on macrophage phenotype. This study explores how sEVs, which are tiny particles found in the blood of women…
Key Points Lay Summary
The prevalence of deep and superficial dyspareunia in women with endometriosis..
By Selma Oransay
Almost half of the women affected by endometriosis experience both superficial and deep dyspareunia. While superficial dyspareunia is less studied, deep dyspareunia is often linked to mechanical pressure on endometriotic lesions or tissue rigidity. To address the sexual difficulties faced…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nerve-Sparing Surgery Safe in DIE
By Özge Özkaya
Robot-assisted nerve-sparing modified radical hysterectomy is associated with longer operative times and lower estimated blood loss compared to the conventional laparoscopic approach to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in Endometriosis of Various Locations
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.
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
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
Effects of Endometriosis Symptoms on Women's Overall Health and Well-Being
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis significantly affects women's quality of life. Many women face daily challenges due to pelvic pain, which can lead them to miss work or school and withdraw from social activities. It's crucial to assess and manage the symptoms associated with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Unviling the role of PD-1-PD-L1 Pathway in Endometriosis Progression and Therapy
The role of immune system in Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease is complex, involving both protective and harmful effects. A key player in this process is PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), a protein found on T cells that regulates immune responses by inhibiting…
Key Points Lay Summary
Intrinsic Potential Factors in Retrograde Menstruation
The mechanistic model of endometriosis pathogenesis suggests that anatomical factors promoting retrograde menstruation are crucial and biologically sound. This model is supported by the strong link between obstructive Müllerian anomalies and endometriosis, indicating a causal relationship between the amount of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bladder Endometriosis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
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
Cellular mechanisms in endometriosis revisited
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from Kashihara and Nara, Japan led by Dr. Kobayashi have published their review on the cellular mechanisms of endometriotic tissues in a recent issue of Reproductive Medicine and Biology. Endometriosis is a common global gynecologic ailment affecting millions of…
Key Points Lay Summary
What are Patients with Endometriosis Discussing Online?
By Özge Özkaya
People mostly use online health communities about endometriosis to learn about the symptoms of the disease and share their own medical experiences, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. The posts and comments of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Sleep Disorders and Endometriosis
A new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology by a team lead by Bruno et al., reveals that endometriosis is associated with decreased sleep quality and hyperarousal. Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting millions of women, often causing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Post Surgery Endometrioma Recurrence
By Selma Oransay
Endometrioma is a common form of endometriosis. Endometrioma cystectomy is the preferred treatment, as it is more effective than ablation or laser vaporization in reducing pain and recurrence. While medical treatment can help prevent recurrence after surgery, postoperative hormonal therapy…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does a comprehensive interventional program improve sexual health 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 and reproductive function. A group of scientists from Iran, published a study protocol titled…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriomas and the Severity of Endometriosis
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine by Dr.Nezhad's group reveals that endometriomas, a form of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, are strongly associated with advanced stages of the disease. The authors investigated how the presence of endometriomas—whether on one side or both—correlates…
Key Points Lay Summary
Robotic-assisted laparoscopy to manage severe diaphragmatic endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare extrapelvic form of endometriosis, with specific symptoms experienced by 30%, such as shoulder, chest, arm, and right upper quadrant pain. An early diagnosis is vital to prevent the disease progressively toward the thoracic cavity, causing catamenial…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Artificial intelligence and Endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians led by Dr. Yong from Vancouver, Canada, have published a timely review on the utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in endometriosis. This review appeared in a recent issue of the BMJ Woman’s Health. As a well-known issue, endometriosis poses…
Key Points Lay Summary
Performance of the 2021 AAGL endometriosis classification
By Selma Oransay
The most common scoring system is the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) staging system for endometriosis. However, this classification system was widely criticized for failing to correlate surgical complexity and to show patients' pain scales and fertility indexes.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Personalized Surgical Strategies for Bowel Endometriosis to Enhance Patient Outcomes
By Eylül GÜN
Bowel endometriosis often impacts the rectum or sigmoid colon, causing significant symptoms and reducing fertility. Treatments include hormonal therapy and surgery, with techniques varying widely. Crestani et al., in the leadership of Dr. Horace Roman, conducted a study aiming to…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new pathogenetic hypothesis of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Recent research has focused on perimenopausal women who experienced hematoperitoneum and lower abdominal pain, subsequently developing deep infiltrating endometriosis within a few months of the initial episode. Ultrasonographic evaluations revealed that a bleeding functional ovarian cyst was the primary cause…
Key Points Lay Summary
Conventional Laparoscopy as Good as Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy
By Özge Özkaya
Both conventional laparoscopy and robotic-assisted laparoscopy are associated with significant long-term symptom relief in patients with endometriosis involving the sacral plexus and sciatic nerve, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. “Although surgeons…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Why we should prefer nerve-sparing surgery in deep endometriosis?
By Selma Oransay
Despite its benign nature, deep endometriosis can mimic malignant processes and infiltrate multiple organs, blood vessels, ligaments, and nerves within the pelvis. When conservative medical management fails, the need for surgical excision of endometriotic lesions arises. The surgeons aim to…
Key Points Lay Summary
The most influential adverse effects of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from the Queen’s University, Ontario Canada led by Dr. Velez published their population-based cohort study related to pregnancy complications in a recent issue of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. This population-based cohort study analyzed the association between endometriosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic procedures can alleviate fatigue in women suffering from endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Effective management is essential due to the significant impact these symptoms have on a woman's quality of life. Fatigue, characterized by persistent and severe tiredness, is also…
Key Points Lay Summary
Robot-assisted laparoscopy for deep infiltrating endometriosis of bowel
By Selma Oransay
Deep infiltrating endometriosis is characterized by lesions larger than 5 mm that penetrate the peritoneum or invade the muscular layer of adjacent organs, affecting over 20% of women with endometriosis. Bowel involvement occurs in 5-12% of cases and may present with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Endometrioma Does Not Affect Egg Quality, Study Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
Ovarian endometrioma could decrease oocyte yield in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a new literature review and meta-analysis published in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. However, it does not seem to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Increasing evidence suggests that endometriosis should be considered a systemic disease
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Professors Tulandi from McGill University, Canada, and Vercellini from Milano University, Italy, have recently published their expert opinion on endometriosis as a systemic disorder in Reproductive Biomedicine Online (RBMO). The contemporary view on endometriosis is suggestive of a type of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Superiority of hysterectomy over lesion excision in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Confirmative treatment of endometriosis includes excision or ablation of visible lesions while conserving the uterus and ovaries. On the contrary, the radical approach involves total hysterectomy and even bilateral oophorectomy to create a hypo-estrogen state, remove adenomyosis if it exists,…
Key Points Lay Summary
New horizons in endometriosis and immunity
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians led by Dorota Suszczyk from Lublin, Poland have published their recent comprehensive narrative review on immunity and endometriosis in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Recent evidence points to the importance of co-inhibitory immune checkpoints which could be related to endometriosis mechanisms…
Key Points Lay Summary
Causal links between inflammatory regulators and endometriosis phenotypes
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is believed to be polygenic and multifactorial, involving processes such as angiogenesis, immune responses, hormonal changes, and progesterone resistance. Inflammation is suspected to play a crucial role in its development, potentially creating a microenvironment that supports ectopic endometrial tissue growth.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impact of Endometriosis Subtypes on Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk
By Özge Özkaya
The risk of ovarian cancer is markedly increased in patients with ovarian endometriomas and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. These patients should be offered counseling about the risk of ovarian cancer and…
Key Points Lay Summary
A literature review about postmenopausal endometriosis.
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 and musculoskeletal function of pelvic loin complex
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an inflammatory and estrogen-dependent disease which is diagnosed in reproductive-aged women most frequently. These women present with a broad clinical spectrum including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility. All of these symptoms and signs may harm women’s lives…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
The staff of the Department of Ultrasonography, Third Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Hunan, China have published their case series of the rare Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) in a recent issue of Reproductive Sciences. HWWS, is a rare genital tract anomaly…
Key Points Lay Summary
An often overlooked symptom: Sleep disorders in patients with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Recent reports suggested that women with endometriosis have more frequent complaints of poor sleep, reduced quality of life, and higher pain scores when compared with healthy women. Patients experience fatigue and increased pain the day after insomnia. For this reason,…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Low-grade albeit longstanding inflammation may have a pivotal role in the ovary
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from Japan led by Associate Professor Makoto Orisaka published their update related to the role of inflammation in polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, and aging in the medical journal Frontiers in Endocrionology. Inflammation is the response of tissues to noxious stimuli…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of coagulation factors and tumor markers in diagnosing advanced stage endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
As a systemic inflammatory condition, endometriosis features elevated proinflammatory cytokines, causing pain, endothelial dysfunction, carcinogenesis, and a hypercoagulable state. Patients with endometriosis show decreased thrombin time (TT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alongside increased tissue factor (TF) and fibrinogen…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
The role of immunity in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from Japan and China have recently published their comprehensive updated immunological review for endometriosis in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Endometriosis is a multifactorial condition with multiple theories of pathogenesis. The role of innate and adaptive immunology in this…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diagnosis and management of treatment in diaphragmatic endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare extra-pelvic type of deep endometriosis with a prevalence of 0,19% to 4,75. In symptomatic women, the symptoms are characterized by non-specific chest pain, shoulder pain, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and pneumothorax, whereas 75% of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postmenopausal endometriosis is often neglected
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
Regulatory T cells influence on endometriosis development
By Eylül GÜN
While the exact cause of endometriosis is still debated, various theories are being investigated. One approach focuses on the immune system. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are crucial in suppressing inflammatory immune responses and preventing autoimmune diseases, allergies, infections, and cancer. Knez…
Key Points Lay Summary
Improving fertility in peritoneal endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis is the most common gynecologic disease that affects 10-15% of women in their reproductive age. The causal relationship between endometriosis and infertility is not clear yet, but adhesions and anatomical distortions due to the progression of the disease are…
Key Points Lay Summary
Chronic pelvic pain mechanisms in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
M. J. Quinn from Shanghai, China wrote an editorial piece in the latest issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology commenting on an article by Gete et al. in which they shared the findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis-associated symptoms have a negative impact on the quality of life in women
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis experience restrictions in their daily activities due to pelvic pain, resulting in abstinence from work or school and discontinuation of their social activities. Evaluation and management of endometriosis-associated symptoms is important to prevent these significant consequences. However, successful…
Key Points Lay Summary
The need for fertility preservation in women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
A variety of pathologies such as adhesions, inflammation, modified pelvic anatomy, and altered ovarian reserve are among the causes of infertility in women with endometriosis. Additionally, these patients experience suboptimal outcomes characterized by reduced pregnancy rates when they undergo assisted…
Key Points Lay Summary
microRNA signatures as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for peritoneal endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Using microRNA (miRNA) signatures obtained from bodily fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis has recently emerged as a useful method. Endometriosis remains an underdiagnosed disease, especially with subtypes such as peritoneal endometriosis which presents with non-specific symptoms. Researchers…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on Molecular Mechanism of Endometriosis Development
By Özge Özkaya
Cell adhesion molecule 2 (CADM2) may inhibit the development of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. It may do so by suppressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. A better understanding of the mechanism underlying the development of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Recommendations of experts on transvaginal ultrasonography
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Following June 2022, the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound composed of a panel of 16 experts in imaging and management of endometriosis, the recommendations have been published in a recent issue of Radiology. Transvaginal sonography is accepted as a first-line…
Key Points Lay Summary
Any link between endometriosis and neonatal uterine bleeding?
By Selma Oransay
A Medline search using the keywords " neonatal uterine bleeding," " pathophysiology," and "premenarche" was made by Dr. Habiba et al. from the Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. A total of 2264 articles were collected, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and mental health disorders: How associated are they?
By Eylül GÜN
As with any chronic condition, endometriosis does not only present with physiological problems. The association between endometriosis and mental health issues has been widely studied and it is now known that these patients undergo depression, anxiety, and even bipolar disorder…
Key Points Lay Summary
Dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls and the quality of life
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?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is considered a benign disease, however, studies showed certain somatic mutations in the endometriotic glands indicating a potential link to endometrial cancer. Later, eutopic endometrial tissue was demonstrated to have the same somatic mutations. This resulted in controversial findings…
Key Points Lay Summary
A concerning link between endometriosis and cardiovascular disease.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by endometrial-like tissues outside the uterus, which causes inflammation, scarring, and adhesion formation. The pathologic process of forming those adhesions releases proinflammatory molecules, cytokines, and growth factors that may have systemic effects. Recent research, for…
Key Points Lay Summary
A comprehensive review of subdermal progestin in adenomyosis management
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?
By Özge Özkaya
The levels of certain cell signaling molecules called interleukins (ILs) are higher while that of others is lower in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. “There is mounting evidence that…
Key Points Lay Summary
The depth of the iceberg: Parametrial involvement in deep endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians led by members of the International School of Surgical Anatomy from Italy have published their paper on parametrial involvement of deep endometriosis in the medical periodical named “Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology”. Deep endometriosis is troublesome when…
Key Points Lay Summary
Uterine innervation and its impact on endometriosis related pelvic pain.
By Selma Oransay
Advancements in immunochemistry, fluorochromes, computer-associated anatomical dissection, and 3D reconstruction of uterine micro-innervation brought substantial progress in pelvic neuroanatomy. The complex uterine innervation and its interactions with uterine parts and layers are yet fully revealed. Austruc et al., from the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian endometriomas revisited
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Farr R. Nezhat and his world-renowned team have published their narrative review on ovarian endometrioma in a recent issue of the Obstetrics and Gynecology. Endometriotic cysts (endometriomas) of the ovaries range from small (1–3 cm) to large (20 cm or…
Key Points Lay Summary
Key Aspects of Ureterolysis in deep endometriosis surgery
By Selma Oransay
Deep endometriosis surgery needs talented surgeons to preserve and protect vital structures during the excision of endometriotic lesions. The technique for ureterolysis is essential to mitigate the risk of ureteral injuries and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Chatroux and Dr. Einarsson…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can a Virtual Stress Reduction Program Help Improve my Quality of Life?
By Özge Özkaya
A virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction program may improve the quality of life of patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. The authors of the study reported that the program was…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand Expression and Endometrioma Recurrence
By Hale Goksever Celik
Although there are several medical and surgical management options, endometriosis is highly prone to recurrence. A possible predictor of recurrence would be the quality of life for women with endometriosis. On the other hand, endometriosis is an immunological disease, there…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Painful Sex Might Be a Valid Indication for Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
According to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, the type of endometriosis surgery, and pain improvement after surgery may be linked. More precisely, rectovaginal endometriosis surgery may be associated with reduced dyspareunia or painful intercourse. “Clinicians…
Key Points Lay Summary
Visual representation of endometriosis pain
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis is accompanied by severe chronic pelvic pain that impacts quality of life, relationships, and work conditions. Studies aiming to improve pain are frequently encountered in the literature. Nonetheless, pain research is complex due to its subjective nature, and cannot…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Stem cells may open new horizons in various gynecological disorders
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
In-Sun Hong, PhD, a researcher in regenerative medicine at Korean Gachon University has published a comprehensive review on the role of stem cells in gynecological disorders in a recent issue of the International Journal of Biological Sciences. Endometrium changes the menstrual…
Key Points Lay Summary
Self-Compassion May Help Cope With Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The health-related quality of life of women living with endometriosis in New Zealand is “significantly impaired” confirms a new study published in the scientific journal Psychology & Health. This result highlights the potential role of self-compassion and resilience to support…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative pain-related quality of life for patiens with different types of endometriosis surgery.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis surgery usually improves chronic pelvic pain and the quality of life in women suffering from that disease. Response to surgery depends on several factors, however, in younger ages, recurrence of both pain and endometriosis lesions are reported. Most research…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fact or fiction: prescribing medicinal cannabioids in endometriosis patients in Australia
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A team of academic institutions from Australia has published their cross-sectional study on cannabis usage in endometriosis patients which has appeared in the recent issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As victims of a…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
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
Revolutionizing endometriosis diagnosis: Advances in radiological imaging
By Eylül GÜN
With recent advances in diagnostic radiological imaging, the diagnosis of endometriosis, particularly for deep and ovarian endometriosis, has been revolutionized. Updated guidelines now recommend the initial use of endometriosis transvaginal ultrasound (eTVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) for diagnosis, although…
Key Points Lay Summary
Current practice in robotic surgery for deep-infiltrating endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Today, surgical excision of endometriotic lesions is the only cytoreductive procedure for managing endometriosis. Hormonal treatment may partly relieve the symptoms, but it suppresses rather than cytoreduction of the disease. Minimally invasive surgery is usually the most preferred method due…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hot research in endometriosis; new vessel formation: angiogenesis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Caixia Bo and Yunfei Wang from Jining Medical University, China have recently published their comprehensive review on angiogenesis-related aspects of endometriotic tissues in a recent issue of journal named Molecular Medicine Reports. The main potential pathogenetic aspects of endometriosis include retrograde…
Key Points Lay Summary
Early use of hormonal contraceptives and the probability of endometriosis diagnosis later in life
By Selma Oransay
Hormonal contraceptives are the first-line medical treatment of endometriosis. If an adolescent has chronic pelvic pain and is an "unresponder" to hormonal therapy, the likelihood of having an "endometriosis diagnosis" is higher. This sign should warn clinicians about endometriosis diagnosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inguinal endometriosis is a commonly neglected differential diagnosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A case series of inguinal endometriosis with eight patients from Tehran, Iran has appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Medical Case Reports. It is a fact that many inguinal endometriosis cases are undiagnosed since they undergo herniorrhaphy…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does The Severity of Endometriosis Pain Affect the Chance of Having a Baby With IVF?
By Özge Özkaya
Severe pain symptoms in endometriosis have no relation with the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction. This finding suggests that the decision-making process for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Quercetin and its effects on endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis, as a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, could be a potential target for quercetin, a flavonoid found in various foods and botanicals, and a known senolytic agent with many effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties. Studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Chronic stress may be involved both in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Chong Lu and associates from Shangai, China have published their novel research on chronic stress and endometriosis in a recent issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences. During the natural course of endometriosis many patients are under chronic stress, which…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Hands-on proposals for medical counseling and verbalizations to use for women with endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
An overview has been published recently in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics on patient–doctor communication and psychological counseling in endometriosis by two academicians, Drs. Wischmann and Ditzen, from Heidelberg University, Germany. There is no known cure for endometriosis and primary management…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can We Reliably Measure Sleep Quality in Women With Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) lead to consistent scores comparable in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Sleep Medicine. However, the cutoff values of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are women with endometriosis more prone to have mental health disorders?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a long-term morbidity resulting in impaired physical, sexual, psychological, and social health. The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are chronic pelvic pain and fertility problems, associated with impaired quality of life. These women are also affected…
Key Points Lay Summary
Clinical awareness for endometriosis in infertility should be surged
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A team of researchers from multiple centers including Stanford University and Swiss Federal Laboratories, led by Dr.Camran Nezhat have published their cross-sectional retrospective study on endometriosis and unexplained infertility association. This research paper appeared in a recent issue of the Journal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertility outcomes after discoid excision for colorectal endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Colorectal endometriosis is one of the most severe forms of deep endometriosis, composing 85% of all bowel lesions. Radical treatment is segmental resection of the bowels, which can cause postoperative severe complications such as rectovaginal fistula and voiding dysfunctions that negatively…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vitamin D Levels Associated With Endometriosis Risk
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis is inversely correlated with the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the serum, according to a new study published in the scientific journal PLoS One. However, more research is necessary to establish a causal link between the disease and vitamin…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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 ?
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
By Selma Oransay
Deep endometriosis is a severe form of endometriosis where lesions invade deeper than 5 mm into subperitoneal space. Surgical management of the disease is a challenging task requiring a multi-disciplinary approach and significant expertise in the field. Anastomotic leaks, fistula,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exploring the role of thyroid function in endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders are prevalent among women of reproductive age, yet their exact impacts on reproductive health and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Given the close association of these conditions through the endocrine system, Kirkegaard et…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is post-cesarean pain perception and analgesic use in endometriosis-affected women different?
By Hale Goksever Celik
It has been known that endometriosis patients have increased pain sensitivity and different reactions to pain compared to women having no endometriosis. Several mechanisms such as nociception, inflammation, and changes in peripheral and central nervous system pain processing have been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can Endometriosis Affect the Chance of Giving Birth to a Live Baby?
By Özge Özkaya
Deep infiltrating endometriosis and/or endometrioma diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound is associated with a lower chance of giving birth to a live baby in patients undergoing their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a new…
Key Points Lay Summary
Understanding endometriosis pain
By Eylül GÜN
Chronic pain, especially in conditions like endometriosis, poses significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment due to its multifaceted nature. Elina Helosvuori and Venla Oikkonen from Finland conducted a study in which they aimed to explore the complexities of chronic pain,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Neonatal uterine bleeding at birth and endometriosis later in life
By Selma Oransay
In the first few days after birth, some female newborns bleed from the vaginal route, and this is called newborn uterine bleeding. The overt and occult neonatal uterine bleeding prevalence rates are 3-5% and 25-60% retrospectively. The causative risk factors for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) be a potential marker of endometriosis ?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Medical student Kyana Jafarabady and academicians from several medical centers in Iran have published their database research on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in endometriosis patients in a recent issue of BMC Women’s Health. BDNF is a neurotrophin that plays an important…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis treatment at diagnosis: Is it possible?
By Eylül GÜN
For most cases of endometriosis, a diagnostic laparoscopy followed by a therapeutic laparoscopy is recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Hypothesizing that patients with endometriosis might benefit from receiving only a therapeutic laparoscopy, combining diagnosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Should I Have Endometriosis Surgery Before IVF-ICSI?
By Özge Özkaya
The live birth rate per in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine sperm injection (ICSI) cycle was significantly reduced in women who underwent surgery to treat endometriosis before the procedures, found a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. “These…
Key Points Lay Summary
New visions on diaphragmatic endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Elvin Piriyev and Thomas Römer from Academic Hospital Cologne Weyertal, Germany have published their retrospective analysis of diaphragm endometriosis in a recent issue of the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. About 7-10% of reproductive-age women have endometriosis but diaphragm…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bladder Function Alterations Following Endometriosis Surgery
By Selma Oransay
Although endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder, urinary tract involvement is present in only 1-5% of these patients. When endometriosis invades the urinary tract, clinical symptoms may vary from asymptomatic to frequency, urgency, bladder pain, hematuria, and recurrent urinary infections.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Complementary and alternative therapies for managing acyclic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis
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
Effects of Perceived Loneliness in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Perceived loneliness directly affects quality of life, according to a new study conducted in women with endometriosis. It also plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of experiences that women find difficult to verbalize. “It is possible that endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Beware of deep endometriosis involving ureter
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Vacaroiu and colleagues from the Romanian academic milieu have published a case report of urinary tract endometriosis that could have otherwise resulted in kidney failure when remained undiagnosed. This case appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery Pivotal in Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis Patients
By Özge Özkaya
Surgery plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of women with endometriosis who have previously not responded to medical therapy. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. During the…
Key Points Lay Summary
A unique approach for visualising endometriosis during surgery
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Jing Peng and associates from Shangai, China have made an experimental study on precise visualization of endometriotic lesions with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog-modified indocyanine green, publishing their results in the Journal of Molecular Imaging. Surgical interventions are important aspects of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Risk of endometriosis and related occupational factors among working women
By Eylül GÜN
As a debilitating disease, endometriosis is well known to have effects on the patient's overall quality of life. Various studies have consistently reported that working women face an increased risk of endometriosis growth. Lee et al. from Korea conducted a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian adhesion prevention with polytetrafluoroethylene during endometrioma surgery.
By Selma Oransay
The World Health Organization defined infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse or after six months of fertility-focused intercourse. Depending on the chronic inflammatory character and causing adhesion formations within the peritoneum, endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Peritoneal fluid in young women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Many blood substances are present in peritoneal fluid due to their derivation from the transudation of blood through the peritoneal surface. Ectopic endometriotic lesions can also change the medium to contribute to the definition of the local environment of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Why is there a higher risk of stroke for women with endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Women diagnosed with endometriosis might face an increased susceptibility to stroke due to alterations in the levels of some molecules in their systems. Studies indicate that especially those undergoing hysterectomy/oophorectomy, have an approximately 30% higher risk of stroke. Dr. Mormile…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and the risk to have mental disorders
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are pelvic pain and fertility problems, resulting in impairment of quality of life. These women are also affected regarding psychological health due to disease-associated symptoms. Dr. Wang et al., from Taiwan, published…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Identifies Potential New Theraputic Target in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Lactate could drive the progression of endometriosis by upregulating the expression of a gene called HMGB1, according to a new study published in the Journal of Biomedical Research. This finding identifies novel targets for the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is Your Surgeon Stressed?
By Özge Özkaya
Stress during endometriosis surgery among surgeons is greater than what they anticipate, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. The stress symptoms reported by surgeons start before surgery and is more common among…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and the risk of breast cancer
By Selma Oransay
An increased risk of cancer with endometriosis has been in the attention field of endometriosis researchers since 1925, starting with Sampson. Several large meta-analyses supported the increased risk of clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis. Breast…
Key Points Lay Summary
A herbal product has promising results in experimental endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Neroli oil (bitter orange) is a nontoxic volatile substance from the flowers of Citrus aurantium that belongs to the Rutaceae family. This oil has notable anti-inflammatory effects besides potent antioxidant activity with 100% singlet oxygen scavenging activity. Contemporary pathophysiological views…
Key Points Lay Summary
Analysis of steroid hormone receptors in endometriotic tissues reveals chaotic results
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A group of researchers from academic institutions located at Australia and New Zeland, led by Dr. Holdsworth-Carson, have published their recent findings on steroid receptors in peritoneal endometriosis lesions by immunohistochemistry, in the journal Reproduvtive Biomedicine Online. Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of medical treatment on sexual function and quality of life in women with endometriosis
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
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
Study Finds Link Between Exposure to Pollutants and Increased Riks of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine may be associated with a higher risk of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research. The study also found that the concentration of…
Key Points Lay Summary
"Ovarian Reserve Markers" in Peritoneal Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis-related subfertility is attributed to multiple factors, including mechanical obstructions, adhesions, pelvic inflammation, and diminished ovarian reserve. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and ovarian antral follicle counts (AFC) currently serve as fertility markers to diagnose decreased ovarian reserve and failure.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Robotic Surgery For Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Robotic surgery is an option for the treatment of severe endometriosis, according to the results of a preliminary comparative study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, the approach is associated with higher costs. “Next studies should identify…
Key Points Lay Summary
Coupled torture due to endometriosis and depressive symptoms
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis significantly impacts various aspects of women's lives including their physical and mental health, careers, and social relationships. Physically, it causes chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia, affecting 5-10% of reproductive-age women and leading to infertility challenges and a substantial percentage…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Embryo Morphokinetics of Endometriotic Patients by Time Lapse Monitoring
By Selma Oransay
Many studies showed adverse effects of endometriosis on oocyte quality due to increased apoptosis and dysregulation of molecular pathways related to the development and growth of granulosa cells resulting on developmental arrest in embryos of women with endometriosis. Time-lapse monitoring…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cells Constituting Endometriosis Have Different Properties
By Özge Özkaya
Many cell types are altered in endometriosis, found a new study published in the Journal of Pathology. The study also found that depending on the subtype of endometriosis, endometriosis cells show signatures of estrogen responsiveness, immunologic cytotoxicity, and proinflammation. Finally, it identified…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Bahar YukselGene Expression Profiles of Endometriosis and Personalized Treatment
By Bahar Yuksel
The study lead by Dr.McKinnon from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Australia, aimed to understand the gene expression profiles of different endometriosis lesion subtypes and their response to hormonal treatment. The researchers analyzed gene expression data…
Key Points Lay Summary
Perception of quality of professional healthcare in Italian patients with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
According to the Italian Ministry of Health, the prevalence rate of endometriosis among women in their reproductive age is 10-15%. Many of them suffer from intense pain and a poor quality of life due to diagnostic delay. The average delay…
Key Points Lay Summary
Increasing awareness of the scientific community on nano-particles for endometriosis.
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from various disciplines from multiple Italian institutions have published their review on the possible role of nanotechology to deal with the management of endometriosis in a recent issue of scientific periodical Nanoscale. Nanotechnology is the science and engineering where…
Key Points Lay Summary
Neurotrophins proposed as possible biomarkers for endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
As the search for a good-quality biomarker in endometriosis continues, certain growth factors have been investigated for their roles in the pathophysiology of the disease. Neurotrophins, as regulators of neuronal development and survival, are also known to take part in…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Potential New Therapeutic Avenue for Deep Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The use of lipid nanoparticles carrying methotrexate seems to be safe and feasible in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The approach could, therefore, be a new…
Key Points Lay Summary
A non-invasive test to determine the risk of endometriosis in women having chronic pelvic pain or unexplained infertility
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women having endometriosis may suffer from chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility, both of which diminish the quality of life in these women. Minimalization of the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis is essential to improve patients’ lives. However,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could H1-antihistamines be beneficial in endometriosis management ?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
K. B. Manthra, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Minnesota has written a “clinical opinion” in a recent issue of the periodical American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Global Reports. Endometriosis is currently regarded as a chronic inflammatory…
Key Points Lay Summary
Quality of life analyses among women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Clinical factors that may affect the quality of life in women with endometriosis are mental health, sexual life, working capacity, and social relations. Symptom severity, especially dysmenorrhea, heavy periods, pelvic pain, and infertility complaints, are the most disturbing factors in…
Key Points Lay Summary
New developments in endometriosis from a molecular and cellular standpoint
By Eylül GÜN
Researchers are making significant progress in endometriosis regarding molecular and cellular research, with collaborative efforts by clinicians, scientists, surgeons, and biostatisticians. Laganà et al. from Italy wrote an editorial regarding the recent special issue called "Molecular and Cellular Advances in Endometriosis Research…
Key Points Lay Summary
The type of surgical approach compared to complications and recurrence for colorectal endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis may have extension and infiltration of the intestine, called "colorectal endometriosis, in up to 12%. The main symptoms are alterations in bowel habits, pelvic pain, and/or infertility. The gold standard management option for colorectal endometriosis is surgical…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep infiltrating endometriosis and postoperative pregnancy outcomes
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
Reviewing all you want to know on endometriosis !
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from the International University of Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Lincoln Medical School, UK have written a comprehensive updated review on endometriosis covering many aspects of endometriosis and published their paper as an open-access manuscript in the journal “Pathology-Research and Practice”. …
Key Points Lay Summary
A synopsis of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the digestive system
By Eylül GÜN
The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most common locations of extrapelvic endometriosis. Its infiltrative counterpart exhibits more aggressive behavior and often needs to be distinguished from malignancies clinically. Yin et al. from Harbin, China reviewed the latest findings regarding…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Monitoring eating behavior is important
By Selma Oransay
The relationship between dietary products and endometriosis gained interest after the recognition that a proper diet can improve pathological and physiological processes. There is also a belief that the benefits of some anti-oxidants may have a therapeutic effect on the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Asia-Pacific: Expert panel's suggestions for improving endometriosis-related health issues
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
"Endometriosis should be diagnosed as early as possible for the sake of the patients" and the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel sought to address the reasons for diagnostic delays in this part of the world and published a consensus report in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Mediterranean Diet Associated With Less Endometriosis Pain?
By Özge Özkaya
There seems to be a link between pain relief in endometriosis and a Mediterranean diet, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Science. This finding suggests that a Mediterranean diet could help manage chronic pain in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Sacral neuromodulation for endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain
By Selma Oransay
Sacral neuromodulation is a therapeutic technique that involves electrical stimulation of a sacral nerve route to modulate a neural pathway. The device is an implantable neurostimulator, and the procedure is a minimally invasive procedure with good long-term outcomes. This technique…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis in Asia
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from the University of Philippines led by Dr. Velarde have published a recent review on endometriosis and Asian women in the scientific periodical “Endocrine Connections”. The endometriosis prevalence rate is variable among ethnicities, and Asian women including Filipinos, Indians, Japanese,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Importance of "uterine adenogenesis" in endometriosis development
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
No increased risk of major postoperative complications in women operated by experienced surgeons in endometriosis centers
By Hale Goksever Celik
Recurrent surgery may be needed in up to 35% of endometriosis patients. The reason for repeated surgery may be residual or recurrent disease. In other words, multiple surgical procedures are a common phenomenon for women having endometriosis. Knowing the impact…
Key Points Lay Summary
The overlap of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome
By Eylül GÜN
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of female subfertility similar to endometriosis. It has been hypothesized that owing to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, women with endometriosis are at a greater risk of having PCOS than…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hazardous substances in pollution and relationship with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Vallée and colleguages. from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health of Foch Hospital, France, recently published a narrative review about environmental pollution and its association with endometriosis in BJOG. They used the existing English literature to discuss the association…
Key Points Lay Summary
Clinical Trial Tested Safety of Potential New Drug to Manage Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist SHR7280 has favorable safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in 3 different doses, according to the results of a phase 1 clinical trial published in the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacokinetics. “The results of this study provide evidence to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and breast cancer- love or hate?
By Bahar Yuksel
Many studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer, but no definitive conclusion has been reached yet. In the study co-authored by Yan and Li et al, endometriosis-related GWAS data was used to determine the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Robotic Surgery Not Linked With More Complications in Certain Cases
By Özge Özkaya
Robotic-assisted excision surgery to treat large rectal endometriotic nodules larger than 3 cm is not associated with a higher risk of complications following the operation compared to conventional laparoscopy, according to a new study published in the journal Colorectal Diseases.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Live Birth Rate for ovarian stimulation protocols after laparoscopic endometrioma cystectomy.
By Selma Oransay
The laparoscopic cystectomy of the ovaries is the first-line infertility treatment in patients with endometriomas. However, a possible diminished ovarian capacity after cystectomy with ovarian failure to respond to the gonadotropin stimuli seems an undesirable result of this procedure. Controlled…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Menstruating eye: Very rare but possible
By Eylül GÜN
Extragenital cyclical bleeding during a menstrual cycle is called vicarious menstruation and it is mostly reported to be seen in the nasal mucosa but can involve any other organ such as the lungs, stomach, kidney, etc. Endometriosis is a common…
Key Points Lay Summary
Perioperative complications of outpatient surgery for endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Surgical treatment of endometriosis plays an essential role in managing the disease. They are miscellaneous perioperative complications such as incomplete removal of the lesions, low quality of the first surgery, or incorrect approach to laparoscopic surgeries that result in increased…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vicious cycle: The promoting role of previous endometriosis foci for new lesions
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
An experimental animal study on the pathogenesis of endometriosis from the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Hamburg has been published in a recent issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Endometriosis is a well-known common gynecological ailment…
Key Points Lay Summary
Comparison of two different surgical approach to deep colorectal endometriosis in terms of postoperative outcomes.
By Selma Oransay
Deep colorectal endometriosis affects one-fifth of women with endometriosis, which is commonly associated with more pelvic pain and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Three surgical approaches for deep colorectal endometriosis are segmental colorectal resection, full-thickness discoid resection, and shaving operation. Choosing the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The relationship between lipids and estrogen in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Lipid metabolism plays important roles in many physiological and pathological conditions such as the storage of energy, immune system functions, steroid hormone production, inflammation, and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. In an attempt to figure out the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Omitted facet of endometriosis : mental health related to stigma
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A team of clinical psychologists involved in women’s health led by Deniz Kocas has published a recent review on the mental health aspect of endometriosis patients in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. Endometriosis is a notoriously…
Key Points Lay Summary
Peritoneal Endometriosis and Acyclical pelvic pain
By Eylül GÜN
The most debilitating symptom of endometriosis is chronic pelvic pain. The peripheral nervous system is affected and the growth and regeneration of sensory nerve fibers in endometriotic tissue has been identified. The first line treatment which is hormonal therapy for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma surgery and the ovarian reserve
By Selma Oransay
Traditionally, cystectomy is the gold standard for surgical approach owing to the reduced risk of recurrence. Still, it may lead to a reduction in postoperative ovarian volume and can be a cause of ovarian failure. The recent conservative surgical management of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Peritoneal endometriosis and Peritoneal Immunity
By Selma Oransay
The peritoneum is an important immune barrier where, under normal conditions, it is balanced. External stimuli cause pro-inflammatory responses. To bring balance to this undesired situation, anti-inflammatory factors come into play. However, in patients with endometriosis, cytotoxicity of T lymphocytes,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Associated With Metabolic Syndrome
By Özge Özkaya
There seems to be a link between endometriosis and metabolic conditions, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Gynecological Endocrinology. This finding suggests that close attention should be paid to metabolic conditions in women with endometriosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Alterations of mitochondrial dynamics in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Mitochondria are known as the batteries of the cell with the ATP that they produce through oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial dynamics are important mechanisms for mitochondria to maintain their integrity by continuously undergoing changes. Mitochondrial fusion is the joining of two…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exploring endometriosis symptoms and their effects on women's lives
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis symptoms, their severity, and the way they affect patients' lives may vary. With the aim of investigating different personal experiences and perceptions of endometriosis symptoms and the way they impact women's daily lives, Hunsche and colleagues from Switzerland and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Elevated iron levels in "endometriosis pathogenesis"
By Selma Oransay
The presence of abnormal levels of iron and ferritin in endometriotic lesions is likely due to repeated bleeding episodes. When red blood cells break down, the iron content is released, which can cause inflammation leading to damage to surrounding tissues.…
Key Points Lay Summary
A pioneering study on clinicopathologic features of biopsies of endometriotic lesions
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Deep infiltrating endometriosis, where endometriotic lesions have an invasion depth of ≥5mm to the underlying tissues, is well known due to the troublesome features, peritoneal endometriosis is very common and widely distributed by superficial involvement in the pelvic visceral and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Molecular Mechanisms of how herbal medicine Actaea racemosa modulates Endometriosis Progression
By Bahar Yuksel
Increased proliferation, dysregulated apoptosis, and a pro-inflammatory and oxidative environment are the hallmarks of endometriosis. In the article published in the Journal of Molecular Sciences, penned by Livia Interdonato et al, the molecular mechanisms of the extract from a plant…
Key Points Lay Summary
Treatment of superficial dyspareunia using topical estrogens in postmenopausal women with a history of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs caused by hypoestrogenic changes to the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder that occur in menopausal patients. Sexual dysfunction and superficial dyspareunia can be experienced…
Key Points Lay Summary
Assessing endometrial receptivity using menstrual blood samples in patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization
By Eylül GÜN
Endometrial receptivity is the endometrium's capacity to allow the embryo the chance to adhere, infiltrate, and develop while ensuring an ideal microenvironment. When impaired, it is one of the two major factors contributing to infertility along with embryo quality by…
Key Points Lay Summary
A review for genetics of endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
There is an increased risk of developing endometriosis among first-degree relatives, which can raise suspicions of the role of genetic factors in endometriosis. Genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing have identified numerous genetic loci and variants relating to the disease.…
Key Points Lay Summary
A comparative analysis of male and female perspectives on sexuality in couples dealing with endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Sexual relationships of patients with endometriosis have been an area of research lately, however, studies have focused mostly on female perceptions and opinions leaving out the males. Helfenstein et al. from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria conducted a multicenter cohort study…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study May Explain How Tubal Endometriosis Causes Infertility
By Özge Özkaya
Tubal endometriosis damages the epithelial ultrastructure of the fallopian tubes or the tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus along which an egg travels each month ready to be fertilized by a sperm cell. This could help explain why tubal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is continuous hormonal treatment safe and healthy method for endometriotic patients?
By Selma Oransay
One of the studies related to the search for new markers in pathophysiologic causes of endometriosis is circulating microparticles and their subset "tissue factor". In response to damage, activation, or apoptosis, these microparticles are found in human plasma, urine, saliva,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Toxic metal cadmium and Endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Data analyst Mandy Hall and and colleagues from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, USA, have published their results on cadmium levels and endometriosis in a recent issue of “Human Reproduction”. In 2020 the World Health Organization…
Key Points Lay Summary
Novel surgical solutions for catamenial pneumothorax
By Eylül GÜN
Catamenial pneumothorax is a spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs during or right after menstruation and is thought to be caused by thoracic endometriosis that includes the diaphragm, lung, and parietal pleura. The solution is surgical removal of endometrial lesions, however, a…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new classification called ENDOGRADE to rate surgical complexity in deep endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Correlation with patient outcomes could not be identified in most endometriosis classification systems including the commonly used revised ASRM. Therefore, in addition to grading the depth and invasion pattern of the lesions, there is a need for a classification system to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis is defined as endometriotic lesions extending 5 mm or more below the peritoneal surface. Women with deep endometriosis have rectovaginal lesions affecting the tissue adjacent to, or directly involving the rectum and/or rectosigmoid colon with a 90%…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women With Endometriosis More Likely to Also Have Non-Specific Symptoms
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis are more likely to report menstrual symptoms, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. However, they are also at an increased risk of mental health disorders, other pain symptoms, bowel,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The compliance for post-surgical follow-ups after endometriosis surgery
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
Does ZEB1 Gene Expression Govern Endometriosis Infiltration Pattern?
By Özge Özkaya
The expression of a gene called ZEB1 is different between different types of endometriosis, found a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. This could affect whether or not lesions become infiltrative. More importantly,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Review of neutrophil based scientific research in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Xinlei Wang and associates from Jilin University, Changchun, China, have published a comprehensive review on the pathogenetic role of neutrophils in endometriosis in a recent issue of the periodical “Mediators of inflammation”. As a common inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue…
Key Points Lay Summary
Unveiling the Immunological Puzzle: Modulation of Biomarkers in Endometriosis by Progestin Therapy
By Bahar Yuksel
The study by Daniela Roxana Matasariu et al., aimed to investigate the effects of progestin treatment on the expression of biomarkers in endometriosis, specifically focusing on osteopontin and CD44; and their potential role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The researchers…
Key Points Lay Summary
Moderate-to-severe Endometriosis and "The Cumulative live birth rate" in IVF Cycles
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is one of the major symptoms in women with endometriosis. The incidence of endometriosis is approximately 10% in reproductive-aged women and up to 40-50% in infertile women. There are multifactorial mechanisms resulting in endometriosis-associated infertility such as anatomic distortion, impaired…
Key Points Lay Summary
"Transumblical single-port laparoscopy" for deep infiltrating endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Deep infiltrating endometriosis patients have multi-system involvements, severe pelvic adhesions, and pelvic pain. Dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, infertility, gastrointestinal symptoms, and lower urinary tract symptoms seriously affect their quality of life. Although hormonal therapy may be the first choice for treating endometriosis,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The public plea of international group of "endometriosis experts"
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A group of international “endometriosis experts” led by Professor Philippe R. Koninckx from Belgium, have published their unique scientific paper “The 10 “Cardinal Sins” in the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis: A Bayesian Approach” in a recent issue of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Role of peritoneal dendritic cells in endometriosis development
By Eylül GÜN
Dendritic cells (DCs), essential antigen-presenting cells bridging innate and adaptive immunity, play a pivotal role in immune response modulation. They capture process, and present antigens, facilitating T-cell activation. DCs also promote self-tolerance by releasing tolerogenic cytokines, contributing to autoimmune disease…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
New SMS Program Available for Endometriosis Patients
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from Australia developed a supportive short message service (SMS) program for endometriosis patients. The program aims to support women living with endometriosis to manage their condition. The program called 'EndoSMS" was designed based on the needs and preferences of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Are women with endometriosis more prone to pregnancy loss?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease of reproductive-aged women who may suffer from reproductive outcomes such as infertility, miscarriage, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Pregnancy loss is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy until 22 weeks of gestation including spontaneous abortion, missed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Telemedicine for endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the widespread adoption of telemedicine, allowing healthcare professionals to provide care remotely using technology. Telemedicine has proven successful in various medical fields. In obstetrics and gynecology, implementing telemedicine became crucial, especially for conditions like endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Harnessing the Power of the Immune System: The Potential of Immunotherapy for Treating Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The review article by Wenshu Li et al. discusses the potential of immunotherapy as a novel treatment for endometriosis and the potential to overcome possible side effects and recurrence rates related to conventional therapies. The article explains how immunotherapy, which…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection for bowel endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Rectosigmoid endometriosis comprises 80-85% of all bowel endometriosis cases and can be localized in the rectovaginal septum, uterosacral ligaments, retro-cervical region, and parametrium. Symptoms of rectosigmoid endometriosis include abdominal bloating, constipation-diarrhea, lower-back pain, dyschezia, and sometimes cyclic rectal bleeding. Minimally…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Sexual activity during menstruation: Any impact on endometriosis development?
By Eylül GÜN
Retrograde menstruation is among the theories for the etiology of endometriosis and there is a hypothesis that sexual activity during menstruation could potentially increase retrograde menstruation, leading to the implantation of endometrial tissue in other areas and consequently increasing the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian cancers arising in endometriosis: still an unresolved issue
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Alice Bergamini and associates from San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy have published their results on clinicopathologic features of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers in a recent issue of the journal “Diagnostics”. The association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer was first noticed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Outcomes of improving chronic pelvic pain with "immersive digital therapeutics" at home.
By Selma Oransay
Studies have shown that virtual reality can effectively treat acute pain experienced by burn victims, during labor, dental surgery, or for chronic musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and cancer pain. Considering the effectiveness of treating chronic pelvic pain at home, Merlot et al.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Genetic Polymorphisms in Proinflammatory Cytokines
By Hale Goksever Celik
Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed for the chronic inflammatory nature of endometriosis, such as retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, hormonal change, oxidative stress and inflammation, immune dysfunction, and apoptosis suppression. One of the most widely accepted theories in recent years…
Key Points Lay Summary
Autoimmune Disorders in Women with Endometriosis May Impair Embryo Implantation
By Bahar Yuksel
The retrospective study by Noemi Salmeri reports the effect of concomitant autoimmune disorders on the ability of the endometrium to support embryo implantation in women with endometriosis who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments. The study involved 600 women with…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new potential biomarker proposal from leukorrhea of endometriosis patients
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is typically diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery, which can be invasive and discourages some patients from participating. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive diagnostic method. Exosomes, small vesicles containing biological information, can be found in almost every type…
Key Points Lay Summary
Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain after niche repair
By Selma Oransay
Rapidly increasing cesarian section rates in recent years increased the cesarian scar defects and the development of "isthmoceles". Isthmocele is a myometrial lesion located around the isthmic portion of the uterus that is a myometrial discontinuity or hypoechoic triangle in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Conditioned medium from adipose tissue derived stem cells for endometriosis treatment
By Eylül GÜN
Despite the effectiveness of both surgical and medical treatments in addressing complications related to endometriosis, there is still a high recurrence rate indicating the need for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to enhance the effectiveness of endometriosis treatment. Adipose-derived…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative MRI Scoring System Could Ensure Women Are Fully Informed
By Özge Özkaya
The Deep Pelvic Endometriosis Index is able to predict the length of surgery and hospital stay as well as complications following surgery including voiding dysfunction, according to a new multicenter cohort study, the results of which were published in The Journal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Changes over time in day surgery for endometriosis in Canada
By Hale Goksever Celik
There are several medical and surgical treatment options for the management of endometriosis. Surgical approach is generally preferred in women with atypical endometrioma appearance on ultrasound, and who have persistent pain despite medical treatment. Surgery is often the first choice…
Key Points Lay Summary
Getting help from water to replace colonoscopy and MRI for the diagnosis of deep bowel endometriosis.
By Bahar Yuksel
This retrospective study by Martyna Masternak et al. discusses the use of rectal water contrast transvaginal ultrasound (RWC-TVS) as a tool for assessing deep bowel endometriosis. The study explains how the procedure is minimally invasive, and how it involves filling…
Key Points Lay Summary
Menopause-management strategies for women with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Menopausal hormonal therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and joint pain. Approximately 75% of all women experienced some degree of these symptoms, while 2-4% were diagnosed with endometriosis. Menopausal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Questionnaire Can Assess Patient-Centerdness of Endometriosis Care
By Özge Özkaya
European patients with endometriosis think that “reaching a diagnosis quickly” and “physicians demarcating the endometriosis complexity level which they can treat” are important aspects of their care, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Best Practice & Research…
Key Points Lay Summary
Melatonin for endometriosis-associated pain
By Eylül GÜN
Treatment options for endometriosis-associated pain include analgesics, hormonal therapy, and surgery. However, these treatments may be ineffective for some women, leading to a search for alternative approaches. Melatonin, a hormone involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles, possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-estrogenic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Spheroids: 3D-mini-models for Understanding Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The pathogenesis of endometriosis is not fully understood, and there is a need for better models to study the disease. Spheroids are 3D clusters of cells that mimic the structure and function of endometrial tissue. These mini models have several…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Model Can Help Understand How Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer Develops
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from Japan and the US developed a new mouse model in collaboration, that can be useful to better understand how endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer develops. This new model can help to assess new treatment options for both diseases. The team…
Key Points Lay Summary
Limitations of current surgical classification systems for endometriosis.
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
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
Endometriosis and Progesterone Resistance
By Selma Oransay
Progesterone resistance is the unresponsiveness of endometrium with subsequent dysregulation of the progesterone signaling pathway, and endometrial gene works. Progestins, on the other hand, are the first-line treatment choice, especially for long-term treatment of endometriosis. In the clinics, one-third of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Interleukin-35 expression in B lymphocytes: A new potential biomarker?
By Eylül GÜN
Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and B-cells (Bregs) play a crucial role in establishing tolerance to self-antigens and suppressing immune activity. Therefore, in endometriosis, they are requisite for the endometriotic cells to survive outside the uterus. They suppress immune activity by producing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Unraveling the Role of Vascularization in Deep Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The systematic review by Simon G. Powell published in the journal Cells, analyzed 15 studies including 1125 women with deep infiltrative endometriosis up to March 2023 in several databases and found that angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the growth…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does ovarian endometrioma affect embryo aneuploidy rate in fertile women?
By Hale Goksever Celik
One of the most common clinical findings of women with endometriosis is the decline in fertility status. These women often benefit from in vitro fertilization methods to become pregnant. However, whether there is a detrimental effect of endometriosis on oocyte and…
Key Points Lay Summary
When to start ART after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis?
By Selma Oransay
Laparoscopy combined with histopathologic confirmation of endometriosis is the reference standard for diagnosing endometriosis. Additionally, laparoscopic surgery is considered the most effective way to approach infertility induced by endometriosis. The surgical factors influencing the outcome of treating the infertility of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nutritional recommendations for endometriosis patients
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
Novel Diagnostic Strategies for the Detection of Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriotic implants can grow on various organs and tissues in the pelvis, leading to pain, infertility, and other symptoms. Most cases of endometriosis are benign and there is a small risk of malignant transformation. The review conducted by Dr. Hiroshi…
Key Points Lay Summary
Improving the quality of life: The role of cognitive behavioral therapy after endometriosis surgery
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis and its symptoms have been associated with poor mental health and reduced quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is recognized as an effective psychological treatment for managing depression, anxiety, and stress. Although surgery for endometriosis improves a patient's quality…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of glucocorticoid use on clinical pregnancy rates
By Selma Oransay
The preference to use glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone, along with IVF-ET cycles is due to the diminishing inflammatory response and suppressing immunity. Thus, while autoimmune diseases are suppressed with glucocorticoid administration, the success rate in the implantation…
Key Points Lay Summary
A rare and challenging site for endometriosis: Pancreas
By Eylül GÜN
Pancreas presents as a rare site for extragenital endometriosis. Gkegkes et al. performed a systematic review of the literature on pancreatic endometriosis. The article was published in the Jan-Feb 2023 issue of the journal Annals of Gastroenterology. A comprehensive search…
Key Points Lay Summary
Pregnancy and Endometriosis: The Hidden Risk of Gestational Diabetes
By Bahar Yuksel
Getting pregnant with endometriosis may be challenging. Besides, that pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy. According to the recent meta-analysis led by Dr.Vigano, the risk of gestational diabetes increases in endometriosis patients. The study performed database searches on PubMed, Medline, Embase, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The cost-effectiveness of different GnRH agonist regimes for progestogen-resistant endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Surgical and medical treatments are currently used to treat the pelvic pain caused by endometriosis. Respected guidelines recommend using progestins with or without estrogens as first-line medical treatment due to their safety, effectiveness, inexpensive, and tolerability. However, one-third to one-quarter…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of dienogest vs ethynyl estradiol/dienogest on quality of life in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain that diminishes the quality of their life. Both physical and mental components of quality of life have been affected by endometriosis-associated symptoms. There are several medical and surgical treatment…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exploring tissue origins and age characteristics in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Despite its widespread occurrence, the precise factors leading to endometriosis and the nature of its symptoms remain uncertain. To better understand the disease and improve treatment, Leap et al. from the US and Austria explored the use of DNA methylation…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
The role of IL-33 and "T-regs" in lesion progression and fibrosis in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
It has been recognized that immune regulation likely plays a crucial role in endometriosis. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important immune regulators, and studies have linked Tregs to endometriosis development through signaling pathways involving TGF-β1 and PDGF. IL-33, an inflammatory…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ultrasonographic findings predicting parametrial deep endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Transvaginal ultrasonographic evaluation is the primary imaging technique to rule out deep endometriosis. Although the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis Group (IDEA) published a consensus to standardize the nomenclature of ultrasonographic pelvic examination in women with suspected deep endometriosis, parametrial deep endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis diet and the quality of life
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer mainly from pelvic pain which results in a negative effect on the quality of life. Although several treatment options have been proposed, some endometriosis patients still have poor quality of life due to pelvic pain. Upon…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery for Deep Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
In recent years, minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity, providing the best results in gynecologic cancers and deeply infiltrated endometriosis. With the help of a high-definition camera displayed on a TV monitor, the small structures are enlarged 4-7 times and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Neuroendocrine pathway in endometriosis-related infertility
By Eylül GÜN
Dr. Robert Taylor from Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo presented on the newly defined neuroendocrine pathway and its role in endometriosis-related infertility and how implantation and pregnancy establishment might be disrupted in endometriosis at the Annual International Medical Conference of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
From inflammation to remission: The promising role of jun kinase inhibitors in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Stephen Palmer from Baylor College of Medicine presented his speech at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America held in New York on April 1-2, 2023. Dr. Palmer began his talk with a philosophy and a personal statement “Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Modeling the feto-maternal interface using pluripotent stem cells
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from Columbia University led by Dr. Mijo Simunovic created a model using which they can study the relationship between the developing human embryo and the endometrium. The findings were presented at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis disease modelling via induced pluripotent stem cells has been successful
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
J. Julie Kim, S. Y. Hung Research Professor and Professor of ObGyn, Reproductive Science in Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, has delivered a conference at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America held in New York on April 1-2,…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Which surgery for deep endometriosis? Laparoscopic shaving or rectal resection?
By Selma Oransay
This keynote lecture entitled "Deep endometriosis: The place of laparoscopic shaving" was presented by Dr. Jacques Donnez, the director of the infertility research unit at the Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
2023 MedicalConferance: Pros and cons of hormonal interventions for endometriosis - Sarah Berga, MD
By Bahar Yuksel
Prof. Berga, MD., who is the Chair of Ob&Gyn at Jacobs School Medicine and Biomed Sciences, presented this speech at the 2023 EFA Medical Conference. Dr. Berga explains that the primary goals of endometriosis treatment are to reduce pain and improve quality…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there any advantage of addition of hysterectomy on deep endometriotic pelvic pain or on the quality of life?
By Selma Oransay
The addition of hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy to the endometriosis excision surgery provided greater benefits when compared to excision surgery alone, according to the results of a comparison study that was recently published in the journal named "Facts Views and Visions in Obstetrics…
Key Points Lay Summary
Stem cells could be a good choice for therapeutic steps in many gynecologic disorders, including endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Liu from the First Hospital of Jilin University, China, and colleagues from China and the USA have published their comprehensive review on the therapeutic gateways of stem cells in female genital tract disorders in a recent issue of Life…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The relationship between p53 gene polymorphism and endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
The p53 gene is a well-known tumor suppressor gene that plays a crucial role in preventing cancer by regulating cell growth and division. Recent studies suggest that the p53 gene may also be linked to endometriosis. To investigate the relationship…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anti-IL-8 antibody ameliorates inflammation and fibrosis: A promising treatment for endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a condition associated with chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and there are limitations and side effects with current treatments such as hormonal therapy and surgery. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) are inflammatory cytokines that play a crucial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antioxidant astaxanthin has promising effects on endometriosis-related infertility.
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Rostami and colleagues from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, have published a pioneering clinical study on the effects of antioxidant astaxanthin supplementation in infertile endometriosis patients in the scientific journal named Frontiers in Endocrinology. A complicated network…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal Hydro laparoscopy for diagnosing and treatment of early stages of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Transvaginal hydro laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows the exploration of the female pelvis. An obliterated Douglas pouch by a fixed retroverted uterus, an ovarian endometrioma greater than 2 cm, and the presence of deeply infiltrated endometriosis are…
Key Points Lay Summary
First-line surgery or first-line ART: A real challenge both for the clinicians and infertile women having DIE without colorectal involvement
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is defined as the presence of endometriotic lesions over 5 mm in depth under the peritoneal surface. These women suffer from chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, bloody or painful bowel movements, and infertility. There…
Key Points Lay Summary
Insights into the experiences of people with endometriosis during COVID-19 pandemic
By Selma Oransay
During the isolation of Covid 19 pandemic period, the most critical issue was healthcare access for patients. This was worse for patients who had chronic illnesses. Endometriosis is one of these chronic illnesses that need regular care, pain relievers, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
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
Does Endometriosis Surgery Increase the Rate of Pregnancy?
By Özge Özkaya
Surgery to treat colorectal endometriosis leads to a high rate of pregnancy following the operation, found a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. The authors of the study said, “studies with a high level of evidence…
Key Points Lay Summary
Histopathologic examination always has the final word in tubal endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Hai-Ning Jiao and coworkers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China, reported the salient features of 30 tubal endometriosis cases in the World Journal of Clinical Cases. Tubal endometriosis is characterized…
Key Points Lay Summary
New adapted ESHRE guidelines for endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Eun Hee Yu and Jong Kil Joo from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Pusan National University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea, published a commentary on the 2022 ESHRE guidelines, referring to the representative changes and important updates in a recently…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Multidisciplinary Surgical Team Is a Must in Deep Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis must be managed by a team of multidisciplniary specialists, especially in case it causes damage to the digestive tract, according to a new study published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. According to the authors, the presence…
Key Points Lay Summary
A review of multimodal imaging modalities for endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Since there is a lack of non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis clinically, imaging techniques such as transvaginal ultrasonography and MRI have significant importance in preoperative endometriosis diagnosis. These imaging techniques allow appropriate surgical planning before laparoscopic excision, especially in deeply…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antiinflammatory lactoferrin molecule and antibody levels in endometriosis patients
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A Japanese clinical research team led by Dr. Kaya Mori-Yamanaka from Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, Shiga, Japan, published their pioneering study on the role of serum lactoferrin and anti-lactoferrin antibody levels in endometriosis in a recent issue of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Importance of dynamic cystoscopy for bladder endometriosis.
By Bahar Yuksel
Bladder endometriosis is a rare type of endometriosis but when diagnosed it requires extensive surgical procedures which include bladder resections. Thus, diagnosis and proper treatment are vital. In the study conducted in Brazil, the authors questioned the accuracy of applying…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic resection of bladder endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
When we talk about deep-infiltrating endometriosis, one of the most commonly affected organs in the urinary tract is the bladder, with a prevalence of 80%. Bladder endometriosis can be defined as the existence of the endometrial glands and stroma inside…
Key Points Lay Summary
Current AAGL Staging System Not Good at Predicting Complexity of Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
The link between the stage of endometriosis as defined by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and the level of surgical complexity is weak or moderate, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. …
Key Points Lay Summary
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
This time it is good to have this stress: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and endometriosis.
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a hormone-based inflammatory disease. Cell-level therapeutic options are very popular when resistance to cell death capacity of endometriotic cells is on the table. In the review conducted by Hussein Riyadh Abdul Kareem Al‑Hetty et al, the authors summarized…
Key Points Lay Summary
Comparison of two surgical approaches for endometriosis.
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
Is there a way for a nonaddictive opioid for endometriosis pain?
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a neuro-inflammatory disease whose current medical treatment is hormonal therapy. Given the side effects and the possible interactions between the opioid system and pain mechanisms, a new opioid medication might be promising. in the review conducted by Dr.Mechsner et…
Key Points Lay Summary
From Finland : How to increase health issues in endometriosis patients
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Henna-Riikka Rossi and associates from the University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland have published their recent prospective cohort study on possible existing comorbidities of endometriosis patients in the journal Fertility and Sterility. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic ailment affecting about…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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 alcohol a risk factor for endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
As complex and unclear as endometriosis pathogenesis is, the influence of environmental factors on the inflammation that underlies the pathogenesis of endometriosis has been thoroughly investigated. Lifestyle factors such as diet, caffeine, environment, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been explored…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hypoxia and endometriosis: A review of mechanisms
By Eylül GÜN
Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain the development of endometriosis lesions. One of these is hypoxia, which can induce changes in endometrial cells, but the exact mechanism is not yet clear. Zhou et al from China wrote a review…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
GnRH Antagonists Can Effectively Reduce Endometriosis Pain
By Özge Özkaya
Oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are effective in reducing pain associated with endometriosis in 12 weeks, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The safety and efficacy of most drugs were dose-dependent…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Activities of cytotoxic cells in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Immunological dysfunction is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis, leading to defective immunosurveillance and the growth of endometriotic lesions. In this pathway, reduced cytotoxicity of peripheral and peritoneal natural killer (NK) cells is seen as a contributing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Conventional IVF or ICSI: Which one is more accurate in endometriosis-related infertility?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Although the prevalence of endometriosis is 10-15% in the general population at reproductive age, it is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between endometriosis and infertility has not…
Key Points Lay Summary
The optimal endometrial preparation protocol in FET cycles of women with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis can create infertility and may require treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) to induce pregnancy. However, the current literature rarely discusses the optimal endometrial preparation protocol in thawed-frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles for endometriotic patients. Dr.Jin. group from the Reproductive…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Can Endometriosis Care Be Improved?
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers identified 61 areas for improvement in endometriosis care based on the answers of endometriosis patients. Of these the top five areas of improvement were to train caregivers in order to develop their knowledge about endometriosis, to provide better management…
Key Points Lay Summary
Evaluation of the postoperative disability in women with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis is a chronic disease with a prevalence of 4,4% in women of reproductive age. It is also estimated that 23,8 of infertile women have endometriosis. Pelvic pain, dyschezia, dysmenorrhea, and dysuria are the symptoms of this disease that negatively…
Key Points Lay Summary
The most common gynecologic admissions to the emergency: Endometriosis and adenomyosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are pelvic pain and infertility. Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrial glandular and stromal tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, called the myometrium. Women having adenomyosis also…
Key Points Lay Summary
The emotions and experiences of women with endometriosis during and after pregnancy
By Eylül GÜN
It is well-known that endometriosis patients have a high rate of infertility and a hard time getting pregnant compared to women without endometriosis. Despite the belief that pregnancy can alleviate endometriosis symptoms, some studies have shown that women with endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Relation between hormone replacement therapy and postmenopausal endometriosis.
By Bahar Yuksel
The faith of endometriosis after oophorectomy with hysterectomy is unknown. It is clear that applying only a hysterectomy but leaving the affected tissue behind is not a solution for endometriosis-related symptoms. Either total clearance or leaving endometriotic tissues behind when…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Seems to Increase the Risk of Preeclampsia
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis who conceive spontaneously, i.e. without the help of assisted reproductive technologies seem to be at a higher risk of preeclampsia, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, endometriosis does not…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Diaphragmatic Endometriosis: a Call for Awareness
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Pagano and colleagues from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Bern, Switzerland, have published a prospective cohort study on diaphragmatic involvement in endometriosis patients in a recent issue of “The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology”. Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Women With More Severe Endometriosis Have Fewer Eggs
By Özge Özkaya
Severe endometriosis negatively affects ovarian response and the quality of oocytes and embryos, according to a new study published in JBRA Assisted Reproduction. However, the rate of fertilization does not seem to be affected by endometriosis stage. These findings could…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
By Elisabetta KuhnMolecular Alterations in Ovarian Endometriosis
By Elisabetta Kuhn
Endometriosis is a benign disease with biological features characteristic of malignant tumors, such as invasiveness and migration abilities. In epithelial malignant tumors, it is believed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), that is, the switch of an epithelial phenotype versus a mesenchymal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Sexual function in infertile women with PCOS and endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer from several symptoms and signs including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility which have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Sexual dysfunction also is a common problem for endometriosis patients due to complex…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal ultrasound or MRI for retroflexed uterus in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr Matsuda and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan have published their study evaluating the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasound on the diagnosis of uterine retroflexion in a recent issue of “Journal of Nippon…
Key Points Lay Summary
Imaging techniques for fallopian tubes
By Selma Oransay
The imaging techniques used for suspected fallopian tube pathology are ultrasound, hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography, hysterosalpingography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Among several benign lesions that involve fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubo-ovarian abscess, salpingitis isthmica nodosa, hydrosalpinx, tubal endometriosis, isolated fallopian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Do not underestimate the power of red blood cell evaluation in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
In an effort to develop an easy-to-use diagnostic marker, research has focused on the pro-inflammatory nature of endometriosis and the raised levels of inflammatory markers. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as one of these markers. Moreover, endometriosis has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms in colorectal deep endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
The colon, particularly the recto-sigmoid is the most commonly involved area in deep endometriosis. These patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms almost as much as pelvic pain symptoms the most common being reported as frequent and painful defecation. Gastrointestinal symptoms may…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Scientific unfolding will lead new drug targets
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Drs. Dolmans and Donnez from academic institutions located in Brussels, Belgium, have published their comprehensive review on the current pathophysiological concepts in endometriosis with possible drug treatment potentials in the recent issue of a scientific journal named “Biomolecules”. As a…
Key Points Lay Summary
The "Painful Periods Screening Tool" Could Speed Endometriosis Diagnosis
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
Endometriosis and the body perception
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common endometriosis-associated symptoms are pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Women with endometriosis should be managed due to the significant impact of these symptoms on their quality of life. Body perceptions of these women are also affected depending…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adverse pregnancy outcomes and endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Inflammation plays a big role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis with the release of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic imbalance, and oxidative stress. These pathways are also common features of severe maternal morbidity. Severe maternal morbidity is life-threatening, causing cardiac and renal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Creating a reliable indirect immunofluorescence protocol as a promising diagnostic tool for endometriosis
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
Uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis may coexist yielding important clinical implications
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Drs. Uimari, Nazri, and Tapmeier from Finland, the UK, and Australia have published their comprehensive review on the comorbidity of endometriosis along with uterine leiomyomas in the medical journal “Frontiers in Reproductive Health”. The comorbidity of uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of fibrogenesis in endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis lesions are characterized by endometrium-like cell proliferation, invasion, and oxidative stress associated with inflammation and neoangiogenesis. Fibrosis, which occurs due to these events, causes chronic pelvic pain depending on the location and the severity of endometriosis. For the purpose…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Do combination GnRH antagonists improve endometriosis-associated pain?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain. It has been understood in light of scientific evidence that endometriosis results in diminished quality of life in these…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which parameter is useful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk in perimenopausal endometriosis patients?
By Eylül GÜN
Cardiovascular disease is known to be the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Studies have shown that postmenopausal women are at a greater risk as well as women who undergo premature menopause proving the effect of hormonal imbalances on…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian endometriomas, ovarian reserve, oocyte quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes
By Selma Oransay
Surgery and assisted reproductive technology (ART) are the preferred treatments for endometrioma in infertile patients. When ART is considered, surgery may seem to have no advantages, as it may not improve pregnancy outcomes and may carry the risk of decreasing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep Endometriosis Surgery and Women’s Quality of Life
By Özge Özkaya
The physical and social functions as well as the overall physical health is worse than normal among Spanish women who underwent surgery for deep endometriosis, reported a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The bodily pain, emotional…
Key Points Lay Summary
Uterine agenesis patients may have endometriosis too
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
Minimally Invasive Surgery Improves the Quality of Life of Women With Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Minimally invasive surgery improves the quality of life of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis two years after the operation, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The results are similar between conservative and total surgery.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Breastfeeding Seems to Protect Both Mother and Baby From Endo
By Özge Özkaya
Breastfeeding seems to decrease the risk of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Breastfeeding Medicine. Similarly, there seems to be a negative association between ingesting breast milk and the risk of developing endometriosis later in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Efficacy of Uterine Artery Blockage in Endometriosis Management
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Li Ma and associates from Liaoning, China have published their results of a computerized database search on the role of uterine artery embolization in endometriosis in a recent issue of the periodical “Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience”. Currently, the management…
Key Points Lay Summary
Opioid use following operation for endometriosis or pelvic pain
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis have pain in the form of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain, and they have a diminished quality of life depending on the severity of pelvic pain. Opioids have been preferred in many patients suffering from pain,…
Key Points Lay Summary
What causes pelvic pain? Androgens or estrogens?
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
Endometriosis Hospitalization Trends in Spain
By Eylül GÜN
According to the general assumption, one in every ten women is believed to have endometriosis. However, recent literature shows a big difference in the prevalence rates ranging from 1 to 5%, likely because most cases remain undiagnosed. The need for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anhedonia and its relation to endometriosis as a sole symptom
By Eylül GÜN
"Anhedonia may be defined as a broad category of hedonic function deficiencies, including diminished motivation or enjoyment capacity. It has been an area of interest for a long time in psychiatric disorders and has been crucial in some diagnoses such…
Key Points Lay Summary
Obstetric Outcomes of Pre-pregnancy Endometriosis Surgery
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis may be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including placenta praevia, preterm birth, premature prelabour rupture of membranes, obstetric hemorrhage, gestational hypertensive disorders, fetal growth restriction, and perinatal death. Some authors have attempted to demonstrate a causal relationship between endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Foreseeing what will be seen on laparoscopy
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis diagnosis still relies on preoperative prediction and its confirmation by taking biopsies. Thus, a prediction model for forecasting what would be waiting for the surgeon and the patient will be promising to get prepared. In the study conducted…
Key Points Lay Summary
Scientists Try to Understand Consequences of Genetic Changes in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The protocol of the "Endometriosis Research Queensland Study" has been published in the scientific journal BMJ Open. The aim of the study is to collect endometrial tissue associated with the disease and chart its genetic architecture. This way, the researchers aim to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antimicrobial agent ornidazole yields promising effects in an animal model of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Xiaoduo Qin and collaborators from Chinese medical centers, have published their results on the role of ornidazole using an experimental rat model in a recent issue of the periodical “Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation”. Progression of endometriotic foci depends on the presence…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Epigenetic changes in endometriosis: A new target area for therapy
By Eylül GÜN
Epigenetics is the heritable genetic modifications and changes in chromosomes without alterations in the DNA sequence. Numerous mechanisms, like DNA methylation and RNA editing to mention a couple, have been discovered as epigenetic alterations that are triggered by environmental factors.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Embryo implantation and endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Infertility is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis. And unfortunately, monthly fecundity rates decrease from 15% to 2-10% for women with endometriosis. The reason for these decreases is controversial and still not known whether it is because of impaired…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does endometrioma size have an effect on IVF/ICSI outcomes?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Assisted reproductive technologies including IVF/ICSI can be suggested as the therapeutic option in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. In literature, there is a controversy regarding the influence of endometrioma size on IVF/ICSI outcomes. The group led by Drs Chapron and Santoulli…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Care Is More Patient-Centered for age older than 35
By Özge Özkaya
Women younger than age 35 receive endometriosis care in a less patient-centered manner compared to older women, found a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This finding underscores the importance of improving endometriosis care, especially for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep lateral parametrial endometriosis nerve-sparing surgery
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Kanno et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kurashiki medical center, Okayama, Japan recently published a deep lateral parametrial endometriosis case report in the journal named Fertility and Sterility. The aim is to demonstrate the technical and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Devilish triad: Endometriosis-irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders
By Bahar Yuksel
Most women with endometriosis report digestive symptoms. But it is not well-defined whether those are related to endometriosis itself or a secondary syndrome may be the cause. Irritable bowel syndrome, eating disorders, and anxiety are very commonly diagnosed diseases among women…
Key Points Lay Summary
TSH receptor antibodies show promising results in the diagnostic workup of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Svensson with collaborators from the Swedish Lund University has published their results on the possible role of TSH receptor antibodies as biomarkers in endometriosis diagnosis in a recent issue of “European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology”.…
Key Points Lay Summary
How beneficial is colorectal surgery for patients with deep endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
In cases of deep endometriosis, which causes more severe pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, the patient's quality of life and fertility outcomes are negatively affected. Surgical intervention is thought to be the optimal treatment method in colorectal deep endometriosis cases, however,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative serum markers to predict serum AMH recovery following endometriosis surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis seek treatment including ovarian cystectomy, because of symptoms that reduce their quality of life. Ovarian cystectomy using laparoscopic or robotic devices is the preferred therapy. However, it has been shown in the literature that ovarian reserve is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Web-based resource to improve menstrual health awareness
By Selma Oransay
Many women consider "menstrual pain" a normal part of being female, and do not seek medical help but rather use self-management methods such as heat, rest, and analgesics. They are often unsure which self-management strategies are effective or what the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exposure to toxic metals and the risk of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Mercury, lead, and cadmium are the best-studied heavy metals for several adverse effects on the human reproductive system. Mercury can induce DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and lead exposure is associated with menstrual disorders, preterm birth, and miscarriage.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Time to change out taboos about the radiologic evaluation of scar endometriosis
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
The management of diaphragmatic endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Thoracic endometriosis is a rare disease, and it is likely to have been underdiagnosed and underreported. Optimal diagnostic testing and management options are yet to be determined. Imaging for thoracic endometriosis is still in its infancy, and MRI only helps to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Understanding what we see: endometriosis laparoscopic appearance and microscopic verification
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Chia-Sui Weng and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic, USA have published their results on laparoscopic appearances and microscopy of endometriotic lesions in “The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology”. Even though the diagnosis of endometriosis has evolved greatly with advanced imaging…
Key Points Lay Summary
Rhein usage in endometriosis: A potential new therapeutic agent
By Eylül GÜN
The invasive nature of endometriosis has prompted scientists to find preventative and curative methods. The progression and proliferation of endometriotic lesions are being studied extensively. As one of the agents used in Chinese herbal medicine for inflammatory disorders, rhein is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and the possible mechanisms of pain.
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
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 the cumulative live birth rate in IVF cycles.
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is one of the symptoms encountered in up to 40-50% of women with endometriosis. There are several pathophysiological theories suggesting the development of endometriosis-associated infertility. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Taller Girls More Likely to Have Recurring Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Adolescents who are taller and have three or more lesions are at a higher risk of endometriosis recurrence following surgery, according to a new study by Chinese researchers published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They should, therefore, be…
Key Points Lay Summary
The dilemma of autophagy and its role in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Autophagy is a mechanism for cell survival under metabolic stress that involves the degradation and recycling of intracellular components. Multiple genes actively control this process. Among these, the initiation stage of autophagosome formation is regulated by the gene Beclin-1 and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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 .
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Monika Abraimuk and colleagues from Poland published their review on "the importance of immunity in endometriosis" in a recent issue of the medical journal “Cellular Signaling”. A great challenge in contemporary medical issues is endometriosis which still lacks a…
Key Points Lay Summary
How do the couples feel when dealing with endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
The effects of endometriosis on the patients' psychosocial well-being are well known. However, not many studies have investigated how it impacts the well-being of partners and couples. A few studies focused on the male perspective of the disease, whereas some…
Key Points Lay Summary
Parametrial endometriosis and postoperative voiding dysfunction.
By Selma Oransay
Parametrium constitutes a complex connective tissue containing blood vessels, the ureter, and the inferior hypogastric plexus, that extends from the lateral surface of the cervix and vagina to the lateral pelvic wall. Parametrial endometriosis may involve the vessels, nerves, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Researchers Develop New Mouse Model of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from China developed a new mouse model to study endometriosis that could help researchers better understand the molecular mechanisms that lead to the development of endometriosis and develop potential new treatments for the disease. Even though many animal models…
Key Points Lay Summary
Do endometriosis patients have increased risk of stroke?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Leslie V. Farland and colleagues from the University of Arizona, published their prospective research on the risk of stroke in women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis in a recent issue of a scientific journal named “Stroke”. Endometriosis is a chronic…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Turn around to come to the same spot: Nothing specific to predict AMH decline
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriomas are challenging lesions as they might cause a decline in ovarian function either only by their presence or related to their surgery. Thus, any preoperative parameter that might give a vision to a surgeon for postoperative results is crucial.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Prediction by "Machine Learning"
By Selma Oransay
To develop a predictive model for endometriosis and to re-assess the contribution of known risk factors, Blass et al. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel used the data of the UK biobank by machine learning-based models. They compared and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Placenta Previa More Common Among Pregnant Women With Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis is associated with a higher risk of placenta previa, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. This is the case whether the women became pregnant following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Moreover, for women with endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vitamin C as a possible therapeutic agent in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
A rather toxic environment is generated with the production of reactive oxygen species by the immune cells in endometriosis. The anti-oxidant metabolism is also altered which results in a state of oxidative stress. As a potent antioxidant, Vitamin C has…
Key Points Lay Summary
A call for mast cells from endometriotic lesions
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a well-known hormonal-dependent inflammatory disease. But what type of inflammatory cells is responsible, and when does estrogen take part, are questions that have not been answered yet. In the study conducted by Alison McCallion et al, the role…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fibrosis is not only a histological finding in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis remains to be an active subject of research with its complex pathophysiology and the indistinct mechanisms that cause the proliferation and progression of the lesions. Besides the already known characteristics of the disease, there is strong evidence to support…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Identifies Factors Associated With Risk of UrinaryTract Endometriosis Recurrence
By Özge Özkaya
Being younger than age 25 and having an autoimmune disease are significant predictors of the recurrence of urinary tract endometriosis after surgery according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Adjuvant hormonal therapy, on the…
Key Points Lay Summary
To Remove the Ovary(ies) or Not During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Some surgeons prefer empiric bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy during the hysterectomy of women with endometriosis based on the knowledge that endometriosis is stimulated by endogenous estrogens, as leaving the ovaries in situ may increase the possibility of endometriosis recurrence and pelvic pain.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Coexistence of endometriosis and cardiovascular diseases
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common presenting complaints are mainly pelvic pain and infertility, most of which relate to the menstrual period. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably pelvic pain. Several theories have been proposed to explain the development…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriotic cyst fluid and the postoperative recurrence of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Xinxin Xu and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China, published their research on the viability of endometrial cells in ovarian cyst fluids in a recent issue of “Journal of Ovarian Research”.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis and environmental factors
By Selma Oransay
The estrogen-dependent nature of endometriosis has generally led to search endocrine-based causes. Especially, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and Dietilstilbesterol are the most studied chemicals in the literature. Interesting data that needs confirmation in the future also suggest a link with night…
Key Points Lay Summary
The predictive value of operative findings concerning ovarian reserve
By Bahar Yuksel
Having endometrioma is a proven factor that affects the ovarian reserve of patients with endometriosis. Not only its presence but also the surgery applied, and concomitant disease stage might affect the reserve. In this retrospective analysis conducted in Korea by Jisun…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fallopian tube occlusion in infertile women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer from fertility problems with an incidence of 40-50%. Among the pathophysiologic mechanisms resulting in impaired fertility in women with endometriosis, distorted pelvic anatomy due to adhesions, impaired follicular quality-quantity, dysfunction of tubal peristalsis, and implantation problems…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Oocyte Quality in Ovarian Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometrioma is the ovarian involvement of endometriosis affecting up to 44% of women diagnosed with the disease. Owing to the anatomical locus, ovarian endometriosis may impair folliculogenesis and oocyte competence, differing from other forms of endometriosis. When investigating the relationship between…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of postoperative hormonal medication preferences on the recurrence rate of endometrioma
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
The effects of resveratrol on endometriotic cells
By Eylül GÜN
The current treatment methods for endometriosis still carry recurrence risks and side effects from medications. Herbal medicine has been investigated and used as an additional alternative method. Derived from several plants and found in some dietary sources, resveratrol is a…
Key Points Lay Summary
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.
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
By Özge Özkaya
Carbohydrate quality and certain types of fiber such as total vegetable and cruciferous vegetable fiber seem to be associated with endometriosis in women before menopause, found a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition. According to the study, it…
Key Points Lay Summary
Start exercising for pain relief
By Bahar Yuksel
Physical exercises have always been suggested for chronic pain-related diseases as well as endometriosis. However, the effect of exercise and the frequency that is effective on pain relief is unknown. In the study conducted by Ipek Ensari et al, a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Combined "Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and CA125" may be promising predictor for adhesions
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Drs. Guo & Zhang from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China published their manuscript on the importance of combined "platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and CA125 level" as a biomarker of endometriosis in a recent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Sex Education For The Sexual Quality Of Life
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Decreased quality of life due to pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression can lead to sexual dysfunction in women with endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Estradiol metabolism, endometriosis and migraine
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis and migraine are the leading pain diseases of women of reproductive ages. As both are known to be induced by hormonal changes, in the review conducted by Joy-Fleur van der Vaart et al, the authors aimed to find out the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
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
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from Korea developed a self-assessment tool that may allow women to determine their risk of endometriosis. They described the tool in an article they published in the scientific journal Obstetrics & Gynecology Science. “The devised tool appears valid and…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to reduce follicle loss during endometrioma surgery?
By Bahar Yuksel
Bilateral endometrioma is a critical situation to decide on further approaches when both infertility and pain are concerned. Techniques to protect ovarian functions are crucial when applying a cyst removal is inevitable. In the retrospective study conducted by Lingli Xin…
Key Points Lay Summary
Genomic evidence: The recognition of endometriosis as an inflammatory systemic disease
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Bao and associates from Shangai-China published a new article on the genomic features of endometriosis that could yield information on its inflammatory basis and possible therapeutic potential in a recent issue of “Frontiers ın Immunology”. Endometriosis is a systemic process…
Key Points Lay Summary
Evaluation of retrocervical and parametrial deep endometriosis by detailed ultrasonography
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
Research Identifies Blood Proteins Associated With Endometriosis in Adolescents
By Özge Özkaya
Proteins related to angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels and cellular migration are enriched and more active in the blood of adolescents with endometriosis compared to healthy controls. These are the findings of a new study published in…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Although the underlying reason for endometriosis has not been fully established, there is an association between endometriosis and infertility. Endometriosis is thought to be involved in 40-50 percent of infertility cases. However, natural conception can still occur even in women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is it possible to reduce pain by diet in endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis-related pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis that significantly affects the patient's quality of life. The peripheral and central sensitization, caused by chronic inflammation activation, may result in referred pain. The pain perception was shown to…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Ovarian Endometrioma Reduces the Chance of a Successful Pregnancy With IVF
By Özge Özkaya
Ovarian endometrioma significantly decreases ovarian reserve or the capacity of the ovaries to produce eggs that are able to be fertilized and give rise to a successful pregnancy. This is according to a study published in the scientific journal Medicine.…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new potential therapeutic target in endometriosis: Galectin-3
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
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?
By Eylül GÜN
Despite all the ongoing work for endometriosis awareness, it continues to be an underdiagnosed disease. Several different factors are responsible for this. The variations of its symptomatology play a big part as well as the lack of understanding of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertility assessment and surgical approach in endometriotic patients.
By Selma Oransay
The prevalence of endometriosis is around 50-70% in women with pelvic pain, and it has been reported as 50% in patients with infertility. Severe adhesive disease associated with advanced endometriosis is a cause of fertility impairment. The relationship between endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of chronic endometritis on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women having minimal/mild endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is frequently diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. Infertility can be associated with endometriosis in these women depending on several pathophysiologic mechanisms such as anatomic distortion, and implantation failure. Thus pregnancy rate is so important, especially…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma and its relation with fibrosis, dysmenorrhea, and AMH levels.
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometrioma is an indicator of endometriosis which makes it easy to diagnose the disease for most clinicians. But the symptoms and relationship of endometrioma with menstrual pain severity and the ovarian reserve as well as its markers are not well…
Key Points Lay Summary
Understanding the expression of endometriosis-related pain: A barrier to overcome
By Eylül GÜN
It is difficult to describe the feeling of pain, one of the most important symptoms of endometriosis because it is subjective. Endometriosis-related pain is proven to be underestimated by some clinicians resulting in the patient getting a late diagnosis. It…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative outcomes of deep intestinal endometriosis surgery.
By Selma Oransay
Invasion of endometriotic lesions to the bowels' mucosal and/or muscular levels is called intestinal deep endometriosis. These lesions are most frequently found in the rectosigmoid colon, followed by the rectum, ileum, appendix, and caecum. The optimal surgical approach to intestinal deep…
Key Points Lay Summary
Soluble CD90 : a potential serum biomarker in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Bochev and colleagues from several medical centers in Bulgaria published their research on the role of a possible serum biomarker in diagnosing endometriosis in a recent issue of the journal named “Disease Markers”. The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis, an…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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.
By Selma Oransay
The prevalence of urinary tract endometriosis is 19-53% in patients within deep infiltrating endometriosis cases. The bladder and ureteral are the most common sites of the involvement. While preparing a radical surgery for a patient with deep endometriosis, the diagnosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
A search for a marker to show the malignancy risk of endometriomas
By Bahar Yuksel
The premalignant features and precursors that show the malignant potential in endometriomas are not well-known. In the systematic review conducted by Ludovica Bartiromo et al, the markers for malignant transformation have been analyzed and recently published in a recent issue of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis in transmasculine people
By Eylül GÜN
“Transmasculine” refers to people who were assigned female at birth but later identify themselves with masculinity. If they choose to transition to the male gender, they are then prescribed long-term testosterone and some may want to undergo a hysterectomy as…
Key Points Lay Summary
Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Patients may have an average of 7 clinical visits before being diagnosed with endometriosis. Understanding chronic pain conditions including endometriosis-associated pain, and developing chronic pelvic pain benefits the management of the patients. The role of central sensitization, comorbid conditions, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Is it possible to predict recurrence after ovarian endometriosis surgery?
By Eylül GÜN
The current treatment methods for endometriosis both have their flaws: the medical treatment is sometimes ineffective and the surgical treatment comes with a high rate of recurrence. Even though new surgical modalities have been developed, laparoscopic cyst removal continues to…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association between inflammatory cytokines and fertility in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer not only from a broad spectrum of symptoms including pain including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain but also fertility problems. Endometriosis-associated infertility develops depending on a combination of several mechanisms such as distorted pelvic anatomy,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The clearance system is defective for women who develop endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is both a hormonal and an immune disease thus overcoming the immune response by improving the underlying mechanism would help fight the disease. In the study conducted by Dr.Guidice group at the University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery Improves the Sex Life and Sleep of Women With Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis surgery improves patients’ quality of life, sexual function, and sleep confirms a new study by Turkish researchers published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. According to the first author Dr. Belfin Nur Arici Halici of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does inhibiting the formation of the new blood vessels aid in endometriosis treatment?
By Eylül GÜN
Current treatment modalities for endometriosis include a hormonal alteration which has many side effects and surgical removal which has a high postoperative recurrence rate. Alternative non-hormonal treatment methods have been investigated and anti-angiogenic therapy is one of them. Dr.s Chung…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a component of "microflora imbalance" in endometriosis?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Oishi and colleagues from Ryukyus and Mie Universities, Japan, published a prospective cohort study on the microbiota of the female genital tract in the journal "Reproductive Medicine and Biology". Recent studies have found a small number of bacteria in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Early menarche increases the risk of endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Early menarche is the first menstrual bleeding occurring before 12 years of age. The timing of normal puberty in girls varies between nations due to genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Notably, the age of menarche decreased significantly in teenagers born…
Key Points Lay Summary
How does endometriosis affect the life course of the patients?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis, as a chronic disease has impairing effects on women’s lives. Patients carry psychological, social, and work-related burdens along with debilitating physical symptoms. Studies have been performed on these issues at a particular time in patients’ lives, however, only a…
Key Points Lay Summary
The relation between body mass index and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
The studies have emphasized a link between low BMI values and endometriosis, however, this conclusion may be questionable when the estrogen dependence of the disease is concerned. Excess adipose tissue may produce higher circulating estrogen that may result in an…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does endometrioma affect ovarian reserve to reach pregnancy and birth?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometrioma occurs in approximately 17-44% of women with endometriosis. These women suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and also infertility. Although the exact mechanism explaining endometriosis-associated infertility has not been elucidated, distorted pelvic anatomy, impaired ovarian function, altered microenvironment-endometrial receptivity,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adenomyosis Increases Risk of Surgical Complications
By Özge Özkaya
Adenomyosis increases the risk of deep endometriosis surgery complications, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports. Patients with deep endometriosis and adenomyosis should therefore be informed about this risk before undergoing surgery. Adenomyosis occurs together with…
Key Points Lay Summary
The consequence of COVID-19 pandemic on endometriosis patients
By Selma Oransay
The relevant policies and restrictions concerning Covid-19 have prevented patients from accessing medical care. Similarly, standard care for endometriosis patients has also been negatively impacted by postponed or canceled appointments and suspended surgeries across the countries. Women trying to cope…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The evaluation of sexual dysfunction in infertile women
By Eylül GÜN
Infertility constitutes a serious health problem in women and men worldwide. The most common causes of women’s infertility are reported to be endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The prevalence of infertility in women with endometriosis is as high as 50%.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Self-Management Strategies for Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Many self-management strategies for endometriosis are not more effective at reducing the symptoms of the disease compared to placebo or hormonal therapies, according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive Sciences. The authors, therefore concluded that “no recommendations…
Key Points Lay Summary
Social media and endometriosis management
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis has a negative impact on social life, work, daily activities, personal relationship, and overall quality of life. A study from Australia recently published in the Australian New Zeland Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reports that social media helps these…
Key Points Lay Summary
Atherosclerosis is augmented in laboratory mice by experimental endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Taylor group from Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA has published their experimental study in the "American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology" on atherosclerosis following endometriosis induction in laboratory mice. The basic inflammation process in endometriosis patients…
Key Points Lay Summary
No way to sleep when you suffer from pain
By Bahar Yuksel
Having chronic disease might alter the sleep quality and disturb sleeping periods. Besides insomnia, endometriosis itself changes the pain sensitivity and increases the body’s reaction to inflammatory and painful inputs. Thus, as a chronic and painful long-term situation, the relation…
Key Points Lay Summary
Geography May Influence Risk of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The risk of developing endometriosis seems to be geographically heterogeneous across France, according to results from a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study identified 20 high-risk hotspots around the country. These showed similar results for non-adenomyosis endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
How possible is it to diagnose endometriosis from a urine sample?
By Eylül GÜN
The development of non-invasive diagnostic methods in endometriosis is essential for successful surveillance. Various biomarkers have been used for this purpose, including biomarkers from serum, peritoneal irrigation fluid, endometrial tissue biopsy, and urine. Dr. Chen et al. from Taiwan conducted…
Key Points Lay Summary
Abdominal wall endometriosis is not a rare disease as supposed
By Hale Goksever Celik
Abdominal wall endometriosis is an iatrogenic type of endometriosis defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue on the abdominal wall including skin, the rectus abdominis muscle, and rectus muscle sheath. Cyclical pain, mass located on the abdominal…
Key Points Lay Summary
The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, these patients are generally diagnosed in advanced stage due to their non-symptomatic nature. Therefore, preventative strategies have enormous importance for the management of ovarian cancer. Dr. Hermens and colleagues…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Distribution of tubal endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
The incidence of tubal endometriosis was previously reported in a percentage of 4 to 11, but recent studies gave a prevalence up to 42.5 % which indicates the actual incidence of this disease is underestimated. Some studies in recent literature…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Which of the suggested environmental risk factors are indeed related to endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a complex disease with genetic and environmental factors in its poorly understood pathogenesis. Even though many epidemiological studies in the literature have proposed several risk factors, the lack of clear establishment and modification of these potential risk factors…
Key Points Lay Summary
Potential New Approach to Treat Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Inhibiting ribosome biogenesis could be a potential therapeutic approach for endometriosis according to a new study published in the scientific journal Biomedicines. Ribosome biogenesis plays a key role in protein homeostasis during cell growth and division. Previous research has shown…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Are the studies based on the nationwide databases more accurate?
By Eylül GÜN
One of the most common localizations of endometriosis is the ovaries, and therefore, ovarian endometriomas are among the most surgically treated endometriotic lesions. Dr. Roman from Denmark has recently written an editorial about the surgical interventions on ovarian endometrioma and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis diagnosis and management based on the best available evidence from published literature
By Selma Oransay
ESHRE, "European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology" published a Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis in 2005 and then revised it in 2013. Based on new research and development there was a need to renew the last…
Key Points Lay Summary
Medicinal Cannabis Use for Endometriosis in Australia and New Zeland
By Özge Özkaya
Cannabis use leads to positive outcomes for the management of endometriosis according to the results of an online survey among patients from Australia and New Zealand. These findings, which were published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research suggest that…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis information coming from the social media
By Bahar Yuksel
Today’s changing and evaluating world led everything to be lived online. For sure endometriosis and searching for cures or support for endometriosis have been transferred to online social media platforms too. The study conducted by Julian Matthias Metzler et al…
Key Points Lay Summary
What are the most common symptoms of endometriosis and how are they related to age?
By Eylül GÜN
Even though the incidence of endometriosis is relatively high and numerous studies are being conducted to elucidate its pathogenesis, it is still a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated disease. The symptoms of the disease are well-known; however, the correlation between the…
Key Points Lay Summary
A revolutionary view on endometriosis related pain
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Lydia Coxon and colleagues from Oxford University, UK, have recently published their cross-sectional study on the categorization of endometriosis-related pain in the journal "Frontiers in Pain Research". As a chronic inflammatory condition, endometriosis results in pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Mindfullness Can Hep Reduce Endometriosis Pain
By Özge Özkaya
A brief mindfulness-based intervention can be useful in managing pain related to endometriosis and restoring patients’ psychological well-being, found a new study published in the European Journal of Pain. This finding contributes to the applicability of mindfulness-based interventions in people…
Key Points Lay Summary
Planning surgery for recto-sigmoid endometriosis with 3D virtual models.
By Selma Oransay
Efforts to reduce the high complication rate of rectosigmoid surgery in deeply infiltrated endometriosis are of great interest to gynecologists. 3D printing, currently used in various surgical specialties to support surgical planning and guide intraoperative procedures may be a way…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The underlying reason of implantation failure in women with endometriosis-associated infertility
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is most frequently encountered in reproductive-aged women, with a prevalence of 10-15% in the general population. However, endometriosis is more frequently diagnosed in infertile women, with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cannabis use in the management of endometriosis-related pain during the COVID19 pandemic
By Eylül GÜN
Pain management in endometriosis has been challenging owing to many reasons. Since the pathways that cause pain in endometriosis have not been elucidated extensively, the medical and surgical management of pain remains to be symptomatic. Alternative pain management methods have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Prolactin receptor antibodies: A novel treatment proposal for endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Prolactin, a hormone that also acts as a proinflammatory cytokine through its receptor PRLR has been shown to be involved in endometriosis pathogenesis. Previous studies reported that women suffering from endometriosis had elevated prolactin levels. Also, in experimental studies done…
Key Points Lay Summary
A French National Study Concerning The "Recovery Protocol" After Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Surgery.
By Selma Oransay
In recent years especially for complex surgeries, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been implemented in several surgical specialties. This is based on a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach centered on the patient’s perioperative situation designed to improve patient management and reduce…
Key Points Lay Summary
International Working Group's review on endometriosis classification systems
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
International Endometriosis Working Group including AAGL, ESHRE, ESGE, and WES published a comprehensive review on endometriosis classification, staging, and reporting systems in a recent issue of the journal named "Facts, Views & Vision in Obstetrics and Gynecology". Classification and staging…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
A novel scoring tool to standardize surgical complexity for gynecologists.
By Selma Oransay
The field of gynecologic surgery needs a more comprehensive, objective, and reproducible method for assessing and communicating surgical complexity than the current approach. Actually, there is no formal image-based system that allows surgeons to categorize and communicate the complexity of…
Key Points Lay Summary
An important enigmatic promoter of endometriosis: immune dendritic cells
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Larinha and associates from a Brasilian academic center have published their comprehensive review on the role of immune dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of endometriosis in a recent issue of the "Journal of Reproductive Immunology". Antigen-presenting dendritic cells of…
Key Points Lay Summary
A quick insight into the latest research on endometriosis diagnosis and management
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis research has been expanding with many new studies ranging from new techniques and markers in diagnosis to updates in clinical management and treatment of the disease. The journal Frontiers in Surgery recently brought together articles that reflect important and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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?
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?
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
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
The consequences of endometriosis on the quality of life
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common clinical findings of endometriosis patients are pelvic pain and fertility problems, resulting in impairment of quality of life. These women are affected especially during the menstruation period. Olliges et al., from Germany and Switzerland, published a study…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery for the Treatment of Endometriosis of the Diaphragm and Thorax
By Özge Özkaya
Diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis starts in the abdominal wall of the diaphragm and later invades the thorax, based on findings from a series of patients surgically treated for the disease, reports a study published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diaphragmatic defects, liver herniations and catamenial pneumothorax
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Arakawa and associates from The Jikei Katsushika Medical Center, Japan, have published their recent case of catamenial pneumothorax with diaphragmatic defect and liver herniation in the "Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery". Catamenial pneumothorax is an uncommon condition with a reported…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The largest series of diaphragmatic endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Diaphragmatic endometriosis is one of the most common extra pelvic endometriosis types, yet the correct incidence is unclear. In the study conducted by Ceccaroni Marcello et al from the International School of Surgical Anatomy, Verona, Italy, the authors analyzed the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Thoracic endometriosis: the most frequent endometriosis involvement outside abdominopelvic cavity
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Six to ten percent of reproductive-age women are affected by endometriosis, and about 12% are estimated to be outside the abdominopelvic cavity - the most frequent location being the thorax. Endometriosis within the pulmonary parenchyma or on the diaphragm and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urinary Tract Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is mostly seen in patients of fertile age, and urinary tract endometriosis affects 1.2 to 6% of women with endometriosis. French coloRectal Infiltrating ENDometriosis Study (FRIENDS) group investigated the characteristics of urinary tract endometriosis in 232 patients from 31 centers. Authors…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which surgical technique is best for rectal endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
One of the common sites for deep endometriosis is the intestines, with a rate of 3-37%. Intestinal endometriosis constitutes a serious cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, and the alteration of the quality of life, with the rectum and sigmoid colon being…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nerve-sparing technique for deep infiltrating endometriosis and its impacts on pelvic organ and sexual functions.
By Selma Oransay
Deep infiltrating endometriosis and involvement of parametrium cause severe pelvic pain and dysfunction of some pelvic organs resulting in a reduction in women's quality of life. Although surgery for DIE aims to relieve pelvic pain, entering into the posterior parametrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Effects of Bowel Endometriosis Surgery on Mode of Delivery
By Özge Özkaya
Less than a third of doctors counsel women about the possible effects of surgical treatment of bowel endometriosis on their mode of delivery should they become pregnant, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.…
Key Points Lay Summary
A comparison of endometriosis Classifications: rASRM, EFI or Enzian?
By Selma Oransay
None of the endometriosis classifications provide a clinically valuable system since the very first description of the disease in 1860. One unique terminology to describe the localization and the extension of the disease is needed, which should be the same…
Key Points Lay Summary
Egg or chicken, which is causing bladder symptoms, DIE or surgery for DIE?
By Bahar Yuksel
Urinary symptoms could be overwhelming and sometimes could be hidden behind pain symptoms, but still might cause secondary damages on kidneys and bladder if remain undetected. In the prospective study conducted by Laterza et al, the authors questioned whether the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery before in-vitro fertilization – Is it beneficial in patients with deep endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Deep pelvic endometriosis is thought to be related to infertility by altering the pelvic environment and anatomy due to pelvic adhesions, and the changes in endometrial receptivity contribute to it. The discussion on whether the surgical intervention was beneficial started…
Key Points Lay Summary
Quality of life assessment in women with endometrioma
By Eylül GÜN
Like most chronic diseases, endometriosis poses a significant risk of diminishing the quality of life in patients suffering from it, particularly with its most considerable symptom; chronic pelvic pain. Although it is known that endometriosis is more common in East…
Key Points Lay Summary
Evaluation of daily diary for endometriosis-related pain.
By Selma Oransay
Some endometriosis patient-reported outcomes elements have been previously developed in accordance with regulatory and best practice guidelines including Endometriosis Pain Daily Diary, the Endometriosis Symptom Diary, and Endometriosis Impact Scale. The aim of this study was to develop another content-valid…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Full understanding the role of nervous system in endometriosis could yield new gateways to novel therapeutic approaches
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Velho and associates from Berlin, Germany have recently published their comprehensive review on the role of the nervous system in endometriosis in a recent issue of “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. Understanding the role of the peripheral nervous system…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Seems to Affect The Development of the Embryo
By Özge Özkaya
Embryos development is impaired in embryos from women with endometriosis found a new study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. In spite of this, the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) are similar for patients with endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is intrauterine insemination effective in women having endometriosis-associated infertility?
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common presenting complaints of women with endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably fertility problems. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed to explain endometriosis-associated infertility including anatomic…
Key Points Lay Summary
The necessity of laparoscopy for unexplained infertility.
By Selma Oransay
The standard for accepting a couple as "infertile" is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. When this condition is met, assessing the number of motile sperm in the male partner and certifying the patency at…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Role of Endometrial Cytokines on the Infertility in Endometriosis Patients
By Eylül GÜN
The intrauterine microenvironment and underlying immunological mechanisms in endometriosis pathogenesis have been a popular research topic, mainly due to the efforts to comprehend the reason to elucidate infertility that these patients suffer from. Because of their superiority to other immune…
Key Points Lay Summary
Association of psoriasis and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by scalpy, red, and well-demarcated skin plaques that are observed in 2-4% of the population. Approximately 30% of psoriatic patients additionally have joint pain, stiffness, and swelling called psoriatic arthritis. The mechanism…
Key Points Lay Summary
How likely is it to get pregnant and have a baby after undergoing surgery for high stage endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
As one of the most common causes of infertility in women, endometriosis might be surgically interfered with depending on the stage. For Stage I and II endometriosis, surgery is recommended in the latest guidelines to ameliorate fertility rates, however, there…
Key Points Lay Summary
A rare but important disease: "isolated" endometriosis of the sciatic nerve
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Professor Marc Possover from Zurich, Switzerland has published his 16-year experience of surgical laparoscopic interventions on isolated endometriosis of the sciatic nerve in a recent issue of the official publication of the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy; Facts, Views &…
Key Points Lay Summary
Physical activity and exercise in reducing endometriosis symptoms
By Eylül GÜN
The treatment modalities to date on endometriosis have focused on the symptomatic relief and management of chronic pain. Hormonal suppression sometimes shows intolerable side effects and is known to lose effect after some time. Surgical interventions may not provide a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is it iron that calls vessels to form endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The trigger mechanism of endometriosis formation is still under investigation. But it is clear that there is an iron overload on endometriotic lesions. In the study conducted by Guojing Li et al, the mechanism of iron on endometriosis formation has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Envorinmental metals harmful for female reproductivity
By Selma Oransay
Heavy metals exposure in a wide range of ways is one of the main causes of increased infertility. According to the 2003 National Health Survey, nearly every pregnant woman in the USA is exposed to at least 43 hazardous chemicals…
Key Points Lay Summary
Pain alone is not a specific predictor for endometriosis diagnosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common symptoms and signs of women with endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. However, diagnostic delay still occurs due to the broad clinical spectrum of the disease and the absence of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Gordon et…
Key Points Lay Summary
The quality of life and mental health in endometriosis patients
By Eylül GÜN
One of the most important aspects of having a chronic illness comes with its relative effect on the patients’ quality of life and mental health status. Being among the most debilitating diseases in women in the reproductive period, endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Likely Am I to Conceive After Endometriosis Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
Women with superficial peritoneal endometriosis and just one type of lesion are more likely to conceive after surgery, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This is important because patients will be better…
Key Points Lay Summary
From Spain: execution for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies
By Selma Oransay
The current conventional therapy for chronic pelvic pain for endometriosis is defined as either hormonal or non-hormonal medical treatment starting with combined oral contraceptives progestins or dienogest, and then gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and/or surgery. Although conventional therapies usually are successful, still…
Key Points Lay Summary
The relevance of mitosis in endometriotic tissue biopsies
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Wetzk and co-workers from the Technical University, Dresden, Germany have published a retrospective study on the diagnostic impact of mitotic activity in the endometriotic lesion biopsies in the recent issue of the journal “Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde”. Guidelines highly recommend a…
Key Points Lay Summary
The higher the Endometriosis Fertility Index, the higher the chance of getting pregnant
By Hale Goksever Celik
The women who desire to get pregnant may also suffer from fertility problems depending on several mechanisms such as anatomic distortion, peritoneal adhesions, tubal dysfunction, impaired quality of oocytes, and impaired endometrial receptivity. One of the most important problems in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Importance of Language in Communicating Endometriosis Pain
By Özge Özkaya
Language is of great importance for women with endometriosis to communicate their pain to their doctor, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Global Women's Health. The study also found that additional tools are needed to help women…
Key Points Lay Summary
What do endometriosis and ovarian cancer have in common?
By Bahar Yuksel
While endometriosis is not a malignant disease, it is for sure known that it shares genetic disorders with cancers. In the bioinformatics study applied by Leyi Ni et al, the researchers analyzed the genetic pathways shared by both ovarian cancers…
Key Points Lay Summary
A novel target proposal in endometriosis: Phoenixin
By Eylül GÜN
As well as being a hormone-dependent reproductive system disorder, endometriosis is known to be multifactorial, which makes its etiopathogenetic mechanisms even harder to understand. Many new targets have been vastly evaluated with the hope of finding a new diagnostic test…
Key Points Lay Summary
A study design to improve the patient-centeredness in endometriosis care.
By Selma Oransay
It is well known that endometriosis causes impaired daily activity and productivity along with energy loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, and further, infertility accompanies all these negative influences. The chronic nature of the disease forces clinicians to plan long-term care…
Key Points Lay Summary
Emotions on the 'Surgery Requirement' in patients with bowel endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is known to have many adverse effects in patients’ lives such as a significant decrease in the quality of life, psychosocial problems, loss of productivity and focus while working. With the constant chronic pain, the patients mostly present with…
Key Points Lay Summary
An Overview on Treatment of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
There are different guidelines by different gynecological societies for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, which is an extremely complex illness. Kalaitzopoulos and Samartzis et al. from Switzerland worked on and compared six national and two international widely used guidelines to…
Key Points Lay Summary
A trial of exogenous melatonin on dysmenorrhea in women "without endometriosis"
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
New Endometriosis Clinical Trial Now Recruiting Participants
By Özge Özkaya
A new clinical trial investigating the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on quality of life in patients undergoing surgery for endometriosis is now recruiting participants. The randomized, controlled trial aims to recruit 100 participants, ages 18 to 50 with proven endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which one is more effective for the preservartion of postoperative ovarian reserve?
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
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
Matrix metalloproteinases and their role in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
The extracellular matrix harbors important macromolecules such as collagen and glycoproteins which are required for tissue remodeling, differentiation, and homeostasis. The main group of enzymes responsible for these properties is called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). It has been proven that MMPs…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Evaluation of patient self-reported outcome measures for endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis symptomology is multifactorial and it changes over time based on the patient's life experience, perceptions, and medical treatment. These changes require the agility of adaptation for both clinicians and patients to respond properly. The documentation of the patient's specific…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis and women’s social lives, work and education.
By Hale Goksever Celik
The women with endometriosis present with a broad clinical spectrum including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. All of these symptoms and signs may have a negative impact on women’s lives by having endometriosis. Mastrangelo and Turnbull, from Australia, published…
Key Points Lay Summary
Herbicide Alters Immune System on the Route to Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
A popular environmental pollutant and herbicide named 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and its receptor named aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) have been suggested for causing endometriosis, but the mechanism was not clear. In the study conducted by Mahsa Tanha et…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
A novel in-vitro endometriosis model with KRAS and PIK3CA mutations
By Eylül GÜN
A plethora of research has been ongoing to illuminate the pathogenesis of endometriosis which is a multifactorial disease. These studies have proven the association between some mutated cancer driver genes and endometriosis, and links between certain cancers such as ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is breastfeeding beneficial to endometriosis pain?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Porta team from Italian academic centers have recently published their research in “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” on breastfeeding mothers who were under follow-up for histologically proven endometriosis. The hormonal milieu is believed to have an important…
Key Points Lay Summary
International definition and standardization for endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
There is huge heterogeneity in classifications, subtypes, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of endometriosis in published literature. The lack of a uniform and widely accepted terminology of the disease rose the necessity to argue and reach a common consensus with organizations,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for prediction of postoperative pregnancy
By Hale Goksever Celik
Among women with endometriosis, 30 to 50 percent are estimated to have infertility, and 25-50% of infertile patients are found to have endometriosis. Anatomic distortion, diminished tubal peristalsis, diminished sperm movements, dysfunctional folliculogenesis, luteal phase dysfunctions, and alterations in endometrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Relationship Goals and Sexual Satisfaction for Couples Coping with Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
"Relationship satisfaction" is based on an individual's emotional judgment. Physical and emotional obstacles may present and negatively affect relationship satisfaction. Endometriosis is associated with multiple life domains, and also includes relationship and sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction, on the other hand,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cross-cultural translation and adaptation of an endometriosis survey
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a disease that presents heterogeneously which makes it hard to identify a causal relationship. A patient-based questionnaire called Endometriosis Participant Questionnaire (EPQ) has been originated by The World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project. It…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Does Surgery Improve the Digestive Symptoms of Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowels have the most significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms following surgery. This is according to the findings of a comparative retrospective study in almost 1,500 women. “Women with severe bowel symptoms and deep…
Key Points Lay Summary
Life quality improves after colorectal endometriosis operation even when the gastrointestinal symptoms persist
By Bahar Yuksel
Colorectal endometriosis represents a catastrophic picture for patients, and the treatment mostly requires difficult operative techniques. The life quality improvement ratios are important before deciding on an operation. In the study conducted by Horace Roman et al, the life quality…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Environmental factors play a role in the development of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The proposed mechanisms underlying the development of endometriosis may be classified into three groups: in-situ theory, implantation theories, and induction theories. Genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle-related factors are also involved as no mechanism is solely responsible for endometriosis development. Although there are…
Key Points Lay Summary
The new Endometriosis Surgical Complexity Classification: AAGL 2021
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 much are the women with endometriosis aware of their symptoms?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a debilitating disease from the start. It is not easy to diagnose and there is still not a non-invasive gold-standard diagnostic method despite too much effort. Its effects on the quality of life of patients cannot be ignored.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Dietary adjustments do not increase the quality of life of women with endometriosis.
By Özge Özkaya
Even though dietary changes do not seem to increase patients’ quality of life, they lead to a perceived reduction in symptoms. No specific adjustment in the diet increases the quality of life of women with endometriosis, according to a new…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inflammatory and genetical background of endometriosis may yield new therapeutic approaches
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Elisa Giacomini and colleagues from medical centers in Milan, Italy have published their review manuscript on the inflammatory and genetical pathogenetic background of endometriosis in a recent issue of “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”, suggesting also new therapeutic approaches. The inflammatory…
Key Points Lay Summary
It is "pain" that causes sleep disturbances and fatigue in endometriosis patients
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis has been studied previously about its effects on quality of life and the possible effects on sleeping periods. The study conducted by Federica Facchin et al. questioned the reason for endometriosis to cause sleep disturbance. The authors have divided…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Green tea as a therapeutic agent in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Tea is among the most consumed beverages all around the world. It has many kinds which originate from the same plant “Camellia sinensis” but differ in color after the fermentation process. Green tea is the one produced right after the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Bartiromo and associates from Milan, Italy published a systematic review on phytoestrogens and endometriosis in the periodical “Nutrients”. Endometriosis has features of chronic inflammation based on uncontrolled hormonal response and immune-mediated dysfunctions. Estrogens are endocrine and paracrine agents that could yield…
Key Points Lay Summary
Complex Relation Between Body mass index and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
This research aimed to find the relationship between BMI and endometriosis especially related to surgical phenotype and lesion location. An observational cohort study was led by Holdsworth-Carson et al, from Australia. The article was recently published in "RBMO" . Many earlier studies report…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urinary Function Alterations after Surgery for Deep Endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Laparoscopic surgery is a mainstay therapy for symptomatic patients with DE. Although our findings of improvement in many domains of urinary function are encouraging, postoperative deterioration in urinary function was found for patients with initial normal function. More research is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Resveratrol for endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis has been studied previously about its inflammatory nature and its tendency for causing macrophage disfunction. In the study conducted by Chunyan Wang et al, the researchers analyzed the effect of a flavonoid, "resveratrol" on endometriosis lesions and the mechanism…
Key Points Lay Summary
The comparison of the effect of hemostatic techniques on ovarian reserve during endometrioma cystectomy
By Hale Goksever Celik
The possible negative effect of the surgical excision of endometriomas on the ovarian reserve has brought up the meticulous implementation of the decision for surgical approach. Dr. Raquel Silveria da Cunha Araujo et al, from Brazil, published a study titled as…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cancer
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a locally aggressive and chronic inflammatory disease and it is now known that with various genetic pathways it creates susceptibility to certain cancers, the most common being ovarian cancer. Pelvic inflammatory disease on the other hand creates a…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Improvement of sexual-life quality in patients with endometrioma
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a painful disease that affects daily life as well as sexual life quality. In the study conducted by Yalcin Bahat et al, the researchers questioned the effect of periodic use of dydrogesterone on the sexual life quality of patients with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes in Women with and without Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis causes infertility in one-third of patients, while in approximately 25-35% of infertile women, the cause is endometriosis. The primary interest and the question of Moss et al. from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia was "the differences in the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis and Links with Endometrial Cancer
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Professor Terzic and colleagues from the Medical School of Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan published their review on the molecular aspects of endometriosis and endometrial cancer in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. The etiopathogenesis of endometriosis has remained controversial, with recent studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to Reduce Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
Using humidified warm gas with forced-air warming blanket during laparoscopic surgery resulted in significantly less pain in the recovery room, according to a new study published in the journal "Surgical Endoscopy". In patients with endometriosis, using humidified warm air even…
Key Points Lay Summary
“Sirtuin-3” as a novel target in endometriosis pathogenesis
By Eylül GÜN
The energy that is needed for a normal cell function is produced in the mitochondria. While producing this energy, a complex and cyclical process occurs with many proteins and enzymes. Enzymes such as glutamate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase play important…
Key Points Lay Summary
Routine preoperative ureteral stent and complications in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Deep infiltrative endometriosis is a devastating disease that includes both anterior and posterior compartments, and ureteral infiltration with endometriotic nodules affects 1 to 6% of all deep infiltrative endometriosis patients. In the study conducted by Giulia Borghese et al., the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Lead and cadmium exposures of female workers should be reduced as much as possible
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Min-Gi Kim and associates from Korea published their results on the possible effects of lead and cadmium exposure in endometriosis induction and severity in a recent issue of “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health”. Endometriosis is an illness…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impact of surgery before IVF in infertile women with endometrioma
By Hale Goksever Celik
Among the women with endometriosis, 30 to 50% are estimated to have infertility. On the contrary, among women who present with infertility, 25 to 50% are estimated to also have endometriosis. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the association…
Key Points Lay Summary
Small chain fatty acids produced by gut microbiota: Could that be the missing milestone for endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a worldwide problem but still, the underlying mechanism and optimal treatment options are controversial. In the study conducted by Sangappa B Chadchan et al., the researchers investigated the possible relationship between gut microbiota and endometriosis. A study published…
Key Points Lay Summary
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"
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
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
By Selma Oransay
The common and accepted therapy of endometriosis is surgery, however medical treatment such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, oral contraceptives and oral progestins are used for either relieving pain or to prevent recurrences and reoperation. Due to bone loss and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Body Mass Index and indicators of metabolic syndrome in women with Endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease of reproductive-aged women and has common pathophysiological mechanisms with other chronic health morbidities due to its estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory background. The changes in the inflammatory components of adipose tissue may have an impact on the quality of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Potential new Target to Reduce Endometriosis Pain
By Özge Özkaya
The inflammatory mediators, bradykinin, and bradykinin B1 receptor may play a role in the onset of endometriosis-associated pain according to a new study by Chinese researchers. They do so by inducing the prostaglandin signaling pathway. Therefore, targeting these biological pathways…
Key Points Lay Summary
Best practice: How to reduce intraoperative bleeding?
By Selma Oransay
Although laparoscopic hysterectomy is a popular and common approach for removing benign uterine lesions, some technical steps especially concerning uterine artery closure depend on the surgeon's preference. Uterine artery ligation may be performed either at the uterus level, which is common…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new "survey-based" endometriosis diagnostic tool
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
Altered Decidualization and Pregnancy Complications
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Carlo Ticconi and colleagues from Italy published their comprehensive review manuscript “Clinical consequences of defective decidualization” in the June 2021 issue of “Tissue and Cell”. Currently, there has been growing research interest in the study of decidualization, and knowledge of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Catching endometriosis from the front line: educating general practitioners
By Bahar Yuksel
It should be repetitively pronounced that "endometriosis is very common and it is very important to diagnose it as soon as possible before it causes lifelong damage to women’s lives". The sooner the better concerning the diagnosis, and this is…
Key Points Lay Summary
A rare complication of endometriosis
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
Not all endometriotic lesions behave similar to the eutopic endometrium
By Eylül GÜN
The most widely accepted theory of endometriosis pathophysiology is Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation which suggests the ectopic lesions undergo the same hormonal and morphological changes as eutopic endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Recent studies have shown that only a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Research Identifies New Genes That Could Be Targeted to Treat Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers identified three new genes that could help understand the invasiveness of endometriosis. They also identified one new gene that could be related to the recurrence of the disease. These genes may potentially be new therapeutic targets for endometriosis. In…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Dr. Youngran ParkAwareness is the first step toward endometriosis treatment
By Dr. Youngran Park
We want to reiterate the importance of endometriosis, by handling the paper entitled "Endometriosis awareness: screaming at the top of our voices" published on April 2021 in the journal “Women & Health”. The Endometriosis Awareness Month of 2021 was a little different,…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new "nonhormonal" treatment target in endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects millions of women globally. With pelvic pain being its most common symptom, the cost of the treatment of disease-associated symptoms has been found to be almost as high as type 2 diabetes.…
Key Points Lay Summary
The incidence of endometriosis may vary over time according to age, period and cohort
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Early diagnosis has importance as endometriosis impairs the quality of life of patients and creates a serious social and economic burden. Fortunately, earlier diagnosis and management of endometriosis becomes…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new assessment tool for the multi-dimensional burden of endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a disease that has multiple effects on patients’ lives in various ways. The quality of life, the status of the patient’s relationships, the continuity and productivity in the patient’s education and work environment, and psychological, emotional, and even…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
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
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
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 .
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
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
Endometriosis & adolescents: Overcoming the diagnostic delay via education
By Eylül GÜN
Although the diagnosis of endometriosis is still not timely even in adults, due to its common under- or misdiagnosis in adolescents, the diagnostic delay may further cause the adolescent women to wait to seek medical treatment. A group of researchers…
Key Points Lay Summary
Chemical Found in Self-Care Products May Be Linked to Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
There may be a link between exposure to phthalates and endometriosis according to a new study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. Although more research is needed, these findings could be translated into clinical practice according to…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Drs. Gruber and Mechsner from Charite University-Berlin, Germany published their comprehensive review on pathophysiological background of endometriosis and adenomyosis in the scientific periodical “Cells”. Chronic pain and fertility problems are the main clinical issue in endometriosis and adenomyosis patients. In order to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Technical Facts for the Prevention of Complications After Deep Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
There are no differences in the risk of rectovaginal fistula in women with rectovaginal endometriosis who were managed by a liberal or restrictive policy of preventive stoma according to a study by French researchers published in the Journal of Minimally…
Key Points Lay Summary
Non-pharmacological self-care: dietary modifications in women with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
The academic interest on the role of diet in endometriosis has grown due to its possible relation with inflammation, estrogenic activity, and menstrual cycles. Multiple dietary strategies and prescriptions are being used to deal with the pelvic pain and gastrointestinal…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Strong Geographical Gradient in Endometriosis Incidence Identified
By Özge Özkaya
The geographical distribution of new endometriosis cases showed a very strong north-south spatial gradient in the highly industrialized Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. “The cluster of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Tiziana Genovese and associates from Italian academic centers reported their pioneering findings in an experimental model of endometriosis administering an anti-tumor agent and glucocorticoid combination, published in the scientific periodical “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”. Endometriosis is a worldwide common disease…
Key Points Lay Summary
It is not that simple: endometriomas are almost never alone
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriomas are the widely and easily diagnosed type of endometriosis. They are usually treated by gynecologic surgeons and are thought to be alone most of the time. The study conducted by Piriyev et al highlighted the coexistence of extraovarian endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative endometrioma diagnosis
By Selma Oransay
The current clinical experience of gynecologists and radiologists indicates that distinguishing a hemorrhagic cyst from endometriomas or ruptured corpus luteal cysts is compelling. For this reason, chosen criteria that can lead to decisive distinctions are valuable for preoperative identification of endometriomas.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is the presence of nerve fibers in the endometrium associated with endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a common disease in reproductive women and diagnostic imaging have a limited role in its diagnosis. The gold standard diagnostic method remains to be the histopathological examination of the tissue obtained via laparoscopy. One of its most common…
Key Points Lay Summary
Resveratrol, isoflavones and puerarin have favorable in vivo results in endometriosis studies
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Xia Cai and associates from research units located in China published their review article on the relationship between phytoestrogens and endometriosis in the scientific periodical named “Pharmacology”. The great variation in the prevalence of endometriosis raises questions in regard to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Could There Be a Link?
By Özge Özkaya
Patients with endometriosis have a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis according to a study published in the journal Rheumatology. This finding suggests that rheumatologists should be especially mindful of the possibility of underlying endometriosis when treating women with rheumatoid arthritis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Postoperative Opioid use after Robotic operations for endometriosis, compared to non-endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a common disease in patients of fertile age, and many patients require surgery. Robotic surgery is accepted as a minimally invasive method in the management of endometriosis and other benign conditions. However, postoperative pain status and the best pain…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ureteral endometriosis and its management
By Eylül GÜN
Urinary tract endometriosis prevalence is hard to determine since almost half of the women with this condition appear asymptomatic. The most common form is bladder endometriosis followed by ureteral endometriosis which is seen more rarely. Ureteral endometriosis is usually located…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does hyaluronic acid have a role in endometriosis?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Pei-Hsiu Yu and associates from Tainan, Taiwan, published their results of original research on the role of hyaluronic acid in endometriosis formation in a recent issue of "Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology". Hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan protein in the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Medical Examination Reduces Anxiety in Women With Suspected Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Anxiety levels go down after medical examination in women with suspected endometriosis, found a study by Italian researchers that was published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. This was especially pronounced in women who had higher baseline distress and who…
Key Points Lay Summary
Analyses of the main classification systems of endometriosis in terms of utrasound, MRI and surgery
By Selma Oransay
Several classifications made by gynecologists, image readers, and radiologists lead to confusion while describing the situation and estimating the progress of endometriosis. Daniela Fischerova team from the Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic, analyzed the main classifications of endometriosis in three…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does exercise have an effect on pain perception in women with endometriosis?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease causing pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and also infertility. Several medical and surgical treatment options have been developed to improve quality of life of these women. Despite extensive research, the optimal…
Key Points Lay Summary
MicroRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and infertility
By Eylül GÜN
The gold standard in the diagnosis of endometriosis is laparoscopy and histopathological diagnosis, however search for a non-invasive method has been ongoing. Some biomarkers such as Cancer Antigen 125 have been thought to be useful, but because of their low…
Key Points Lay Summary
A hot research topic: macrophage reprogramming for endometriosis treatment
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Daria Artemova and colleagues from several research institutes of the Russian Federation have published their review on the cellular aspects of endometriosis related to macrophages, particularly emphasizing promising therapeutic options for the future in "International Journal of Molecular Sciences". Macrophages have…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Severity of Pain Does not Predict Endometriosis or its Stage, Study Confirms
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
The relationship between microbiota and endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a multifactorial and complex disease that results in an inflammatory state. This persistent inflammatory state is known to cause immune dysregulation. In the immunopathogenesis of endometriosis, activated macrophages, increased neutrophils, impaired natural killer cells, altered T-cell differentiation, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
New molecular insights in endometriosis pathogenesis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Rosalba Siracusa and associates from Messina University, Italy, have published their research on cellular pathogenesis of experimental endometriotic lesions in the recent issue of the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences". Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Outcomes of chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery
By Selma Oransay
The prevalence of endometriosis is up to 35-50% among patients with pelvic pain. Among several medical and surgical options to relieve chronic pelvic pain, surgical options are the preferred method but this depends on patients' age, fertility desire, and disease…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Does Endometriosis Affect Patients Quality of Life?
By Özge Özkaya
Health-related quality of life is significantly lower in patients with endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis compared to women without the disease. This is according to the results of a recent study in adult Spanish women that was published in the "International…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative ovulation induction in infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is an important problem that is encountered in 30-50% of women with endometriosis. Several etiopathogenetic mechanisms for the development of reproductive problems in women with endometriosis have been proposed including abnormal peritoneal microenvironment, ovarian dysfunction and/or decreased oocyte quality,…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Is the information on Facebook groups about endometriosis accurate?
By Eylül GÜN
The use of social media platforms has been increasing day by day. The coronavirus pandemic has attributed to this immensely. Facebook pages and groups are among the most commonly used platforms to share knowledge, seek emotional support, and learn. While…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adhesion Barrier Helps After Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
An adhesion barrier, named "4DryField® PH" significantly reduced the formation of adhesions following endometriosis surgery, according to a new study by German scientists. The formation of adhesions following endometriosis surgery is a severe problem that affects 90% of patients. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women reject using hormonal drugs for endometriosis, an accelerating need for nonhormonal medications
By Bahar Yuksel
Although the pathophysiology of endometriosis is poorly understood, endocrine drugs are widely used for reducing inflammation and patients’ symptoms. Burla and colleagues aimed to evaluate the patients’ thoughts and expectations about the endocrine drugs which are used in the treatment…
Key Points Lay Summary
Managing Persistent Pelvic Pain in a distinct "pain" clinic
By Selma Oransay
Persistent pelvic pain is an important problem producing physiological stress and productivity loss during the reproductive period of women. A specific pelvic pain clinic named "Mater Health Persistent Pelvic Pain Clinic" was established in 2017 in a part of the emergency…
Key Points Lay Summary
Retinol-binding protein in endometriosis pathogenesis
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
What causes distress in women with endometriosis?
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a disease that affects a woman’s life from many different aspects; emotionally, sexually, and physiologically. With the burden of the distress caused by the disease, most women suffer from anxiety and depression. This results in lower self-esteem and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Surgical Management of Endometriosis of the Ureter and Bladder
By Özge Özkaya
Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe to manage endometriosis of the ureter and bladder, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. According to the authors of the study, ureteral resection is more strongly associated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Factors affecting complications and the recurrence of operated deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Deep infiltrating endometriosis is classified as penetrating the endometrial tissues more than 5 mm deep on the peritoneal surface, mainly uterosacral ligament, rectovaginal septum, ovarian fossa, pelvic peritoneum, bowels, ureters, and bladder. Treatment of the disease depends on the need…
Key Points Lay Summary
The higher the cyst fluid iron concentration, the more severe the pain symptom for endometrioma
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis usually is encountered in three different forms: superficial peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian cysts (endometrioma) and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Endometrioma can be identified as cystic lesions consisting of dark brown endometrial fluid and are sometimes referred to as "chocolate cysts." The presence…
Key Points Lay Summary
Patient- centeredness in endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is common in fertile age, and women with endometriosis are suffering from serious symptoms including pelvic discomfort, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Due to resemblances of endometriosis symptoms with other diseases, most endometriosis patients are faced with delays in diagnosis. To…
Key Points Lay Summary
Migraine, endometriosis and plasma "Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide"
By Eylül GÜN
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neurotransmitter that takes part in migraine and is now thought to have a role in endometriosis. The role of CGRP is well known in migraine, it is released from neurons during acute attacks and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vulvo- Perineal Endometriosis: From diagnosis to treatment
By Bahar Yuksel
Vulvo- Perineal endometriosis is a very rare condition that should be kept in mind to be diagnosed and treated. Due to its very rare occurrence, most of the information in the literature on vulvo-perineal endometriosis is based on case reports…
Key Points Lay Summary
The need for the standardization of diagnostic protocols for "adenomyosis"
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.
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
The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
COVID-19 pandemic and related conditions, including transport restrictions, social isolation, and difficulties accessing the professional health system, affected many women’s healthcare and daily routine. Evans and colleagues investigated the impact of COVID-19 and COVID-19 related parameters on endometriosis patients’ health…
Key Points Lay Summary
The genomic linkage between ovarian cancer and endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis has been proven to be the precursor of ovarian clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas, however, it is not well understood why and how endometriosis goes into malignant transformation. To address this issue, in their review article, Dr. Yachida and…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to predict the complications after laparoscopic bowel resection in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The endometriotic lesions infiltrating the bowel wall more than 5 mm. are called "deep infiltrating endometriosis". The patients having bowel involvement may have constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus, or rectal bleeding. Surgical management is the main treatment modality to provide benefits on pain, infertility,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis from the "EVOLUTIONARY" point of view
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Natalie Dinsdale and associates from the Canadian Simon Fraser University Department of Biological Sciences published a critical review titled “ The evolutionary biology of endometriosis” in a recent issue of the journal “Evolution, medicine and public health”. This review focuses…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Communication Gap Between Specialists for Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management
By Eylül GÜN
An approach to help the different specialties which work as a team but lack sufficient communication in endometriosis management build better communication was proposed by Leonardi et al. from Australia and Canada in their opinion article which was published in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis alters women’s self-behavior
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis diagnosis is given to almost 15% of women of reproductive age. Although endometriosis could be asymptomatic, many women with endometriosis are faced with several symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysuria, and infertility. The wide variability of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Toczek and collegues from the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, have published a review paper on possible diagnostic aid of cytokines in endometriosis. This review appears in May issue…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Surgery Improves Sex Life
By Özge Özkaya
Women who underwent laparoscopic resection surgery to treat their deep infiltrating endometriosis had improved sexual quality of life and health-related quality of life according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. These findings are important…
Key Points Lay Summary
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells are gaining importance in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Wertel and associates from Polish academic centers published their sentimental review paper on the role of "Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells" in human diseases, in a recent issue of Cells. Endometriosis, the most common gynecological disease affecting about 10% of women globally,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative infertility management using Endometriosis Fertility Index in endometriotic women
By Selma Oransay
"Endometriosis Fertility Index '' score, described by the World Endometriosis Society in 2017, is a robust score and assists to predict the spontaneous pregnancy rate of women with endometriosis, within 3 years after their operation. Its calculation is possible by patient…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could There Be a Relationship Between Endometriosis and the "Restless Leg Syndrome"?
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis have a significantly higher prevalence of restless leg syndrome according to a study published in the scientific journal "Frontiers in Endocrinology". This is the first study highlighting such an association between the two conditions. These findings are important…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The endless burden: sexual dysfunction and endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The relationship between endometriosis and sexual health in women is one of the hottest topics in obstetrics and gynecology practice. There are some previous reports that investigated the effect of endometriosis on the loss of libido, arousal disorder, orgasmic dysfunction,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cells have links to endometriosis with potential therapeutic research aspects
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Cousins with colleagues from Australia and the USA published their review paper on a not well-known subject, the epithelial stem/progenitor cells of the endometrium. This interesting paper is recently published in the scientific journal named "Frontiers in Cell and Developmental…
Key Points Lay Summary
What Happens to Endometriosis Patients After Endometriosis Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
Although few patients with endometriosis who undergo a hysterectomy need repeat surgery, up to 25% of them need minor surgery. Around 20% of patients who undergo conservative surgery with ovarian preservation require additional endometriosis surgery. Up to one in three…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis in intestine! Segmental resection or linear nodulectomy?
By Bahar Yuksel
Intestinal involvement of endometriosis is common, and the incidence was defined between 45-56%. Previous studies investigating the role of surgery in the management of intestinal endometriosis reported improvement of life quality in up to 95% of cases following surgery. However,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Optimal management of infertility in endometriosis patients
By Hale Goksever Celik
Pelvic pain and infertility are the main symptoms of endometriosis patients. Although the pathophysiological mechanism for infertility is not clearly understood, there are several theories explaining decreased fertility potential in women with endometriosis. Ata and Telek, from Koc and Istanbul Universities…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association of chronic endometritis, endometriosis and tubal infertility
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
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
A gentle touch on nerves affects dyspareunia
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a common disorder among women. Previous studies reported endometriosis-related deterioration of the quality of life. Deep dyspareunia is a common symptom of endometriosis and young patients face dyspareunia twice as much. Surgical treatments are alternative to medical therapies in cases…
Key Points Lay Summary
Improvement of the quality of life after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis.
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
Problems in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
The Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is very aggressive in nature with infiltrating the whole pelvic, colon, rectum, bladder, ureter, and pelvic wall. D’Alterio and colleagues analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of both medical and surgical therapies for DIE. The authors…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative long-term estro-progestin therapy for endometrioma
By Selma Oransay
After the removal of ovarian endometriomas, the major concern is the high recurrence rate of symptoms and endometriotic cysts. The estimated recurrence rate of endometriomas is up to 50% at 5 years after surgery. To prevent the recurrence, postoperatively long-term…
Key Points Lay Summary
Autophagy, Endometrium and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Autophagy, or autophagocytosis, is a self-digestion process by which cells recycle non-functional proteins to repurpose them. Unwanted cellular parts in cytosolic material are first isolated within double-membrane vesicles called the autophagosome, which subsequently fuses with the acidic lysosome. Autophagy is a survival…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis in adolescents and adults
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common presenting complaints of endometriosis are mainly pelvic pain and infertility, commonly in relation to the menstrual period. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms. Immunologic diseases such as autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases, allergies, asthma, previous mononucleosis infection,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Testosterone levels effect embryo implantation rates in patients with endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is associated with infertility either causing poor oocyte and embryo qualities or poor endometrial receptivity. The effect of androgen levels on IVF outcomes has been described earlier, but the present study conducted by Ling Huang et assocates is the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertilization rate and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles of endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis affects the pelvic cavity, uterus, ovaries and causes impaired fertility as a result. The chronic inflammatory nature of this disease negatively impacts the oocyte quality, maturation, and fertilization. Obviously, fewer oocytes can be harvested in the IVF cycles of…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Can we measure the severity of endometriosis?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease associated with serious morbidity and change in the quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no specific test for the diagnosis of endometriosis. While many markers were evaluated in many research studies for the noninvasive diagnosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative treatment and pregnancy points to decreased recurrence risk for ovarian endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease most frequently diagnosed in women of reproductive age and negatively affects the quality of life. The most common localization for endometriosis is ovaries with a prevalence of 17-44%. Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy performed as excision or ablation…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis, ART, fertility preservation
By Selma Oransay
This review entitled "The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: role of fertility preservation" was written by Necula et al. from Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Biel, Switzerland, and recently published in the journal "Hormone, Molecular Biology and Clinical…
Key Points Lay Summary
Tubo-ovarian abscess and endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
A tubo-ovarian abscess is the result of pelvic inflammatory disease in women and the previous reports demonstrated that almost one of the third women with a pelvic inflammatory disease had a tubo-ovarian abscess. The main treatment modalities for tubo-ovarian abscess…
Key Points Lay Summary
Pain Sensitization and What Should Be Done About it?
By Özge Özkaya
Pain sensitization and lumbopelvic impairments are common among women with endometriosis, especially if they have advanced stage disease. This is according to a study by researchers in Spain that was published in the scientific journal "Pain Medicine". The finding underscores the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Erastin, Ferroptosis and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Iron overload has been linked to endometriosis. There are abundant free iron and high oxidation in ectopic lesions, probably due to retrograde menstruation. Interestingly, iron overload in endometriosis activates NF-kB signaling and results in proinflammatory communication. More clear pieces of…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Yu YuCancer, is that a real risk?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is non-malignant but shares some similar features with cancer, such as the occurrence of local and distant foci, the ability to resist cell death, and the ability to invade other tissues, causing damage to the organs. Endometriosis also generates…
Key Points Lay Summary
Controlled use of bipolar cauterization as an alternative to endometrioma cystectomy
By Hale Goksever Celik
The main symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Ablation or coagulation of the cyst wall following laparoscopic drainage of endometrioma may be an alternative treatment for patients with pregnancy intention. Carbon dioxide, laser, and plasma energy…
Key Points Lay Summary
Perineal Endometriosis, How Soon Does it Return After Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
The higher the body mass index (BMI) of a woman during delivery and within one month after delivery, the quicker the symptoms of perineal endometriosis return. This is according to a recent study that appeared in the World Journal of…
Key Points Lay Summary
The influence of endometrioma and surgery on ovarian reserve
By Dr. Youngran Park
Women with endometriosis and endometrioma, often have subfertility. These patients present considerable problems for the evaluation of ovarian reserve. One of the well-known ovarian reserve biomarkers is anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. So far, it was known that the reduction of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Selected Blood Inflammatory Biomarkers May Help Identify Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood differ between women with endometriosis and those without the disease. Levels of some biomarkers also differ according to the stage of endometriosis. This is according to a new study by Polish scientists published…
Key Points Lay Summary
“Advanced gynecological ultrasound” for women with suspected endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Different clinical forms of endometriosis such as superficial endometriosis, endometrioma, and deep infiltrating endometriosis are present. Although no specific diagnostic tool is available for endometriosis, clinical findings, physical examination and imaging including transvaginal ultrasound and MRI are helpful to determine…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and possible cardiovascular outcomes
By Selma Oransay
A retrospective population-based cohort study from the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the UK, investigated the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of women with endometriosis. The study included 279,759 women in total, 20,1% (>56.000) were patients with surgically…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effects of endometriosis on life satisfaction.
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is well-known for its debilitating effects on women suffering from it. In the review conducted by Masoumeh Namazi et al, the authors have collected studies searching for the wellbeing of women with endometriosis. They have analyzed 46 studies that…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial receptivity after the removal of ovarian endometriotic cysts
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
Managing the physical and emotional effects of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is known to affect 5-10% of the general population, but some women are underdiagnosed due to physical and psychological disability. Due to the symptoms including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and infertility, endometriosis has a negative effect on the quality…
Key Points Lay Summary
Environmental to occupational exposure, and possible risk factors for endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Many objects in daily use are made of plasticizing agents. Studies suggest that chronic exposure to these agents are toxic to reproductive organs and cause metabolic disorders. For example, diethyl phthalate is still in use in cosmetic products. Caporossi et…
Key Points Lay Summary
DNA damage response in eutopic endometria of endometriosis patients
By Dr. Youngran Park
The DNA damage response (DDR) is a network of cellular pathways that sense, signal, and repair the lesions occurring in DNA. Surveillance proteins that monitor DNA integrity activate the DNA repair pathways in response to DNA damage and try to prevent the generation of potentially deleterious mutations. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impaired fertility potential in endometriosis patients
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis and sperm movements. Garcia-Fernandez and García-Velasco, from Edinburgh, UK and Madrid, Spain, published a mini-review titled “Endometriosis and Reproduction: What We Have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) has a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Wan-Ning Li and associates from academic institutions from Taiwan have published their review paper on the role of hypoxia and possible therapeutic outcomes in the medical journal named "Reproduction" recently. Endometriosis is an important ailment with huge medical and social…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and the risk of Systemic lupus Erythematosus: A report from Taiwan
By Selma Oransay
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage that affects mostly women, with an M:F ratio of 1:9. Recent evidence has also shown that endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
The incidence of endometriosis and pelvic pain in transgender man
By Bahar Yuksel
Transgender operations are quite common all around the world and hysterectomies are performed almost 1 in 5 of this population. The studies conducted until now mostly evaluated operative and postoperative outcomes, but the present research also questioned the preoperative symptoms and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nanomedicines for Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Scientific research on nanoparticles is intense as they have many potential applications in medicine. Nanomaterials have been widely explored for imaging and treatment of various diseases, especially cancer, over the recent twenty years. The absence of non-invasive diagnostic tests and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The improvement of fertility rate and symptoms of superficial endometriosis following laparoscopic peritoneal stripping
By Selma Oransay
Pain, in the form of diverse entities, including dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, is the main symptom of endometriosis patients. The severity of pain is independent of the extent and the location of the disease, and generally causes a negative impact on…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vitamin D supplementation, endometriosis symptoms and metabolic profiles
By Hale Goksever Celik
Patients with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. These women are also at higher risk for ovarian and breast cancer, cardiovascular events, and metabolic abnormalities. Several medical and surgical alternatives have been recommended to these patients…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cancer risk Evaluation in Korean Endometriosis Cohort
By Bahar Yuksel
The relationship between endometriosis and cancer has always been challenging. The previous studies revealed an increased risk in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers regarding the alterations in cancerogenic genes or by the effect of iron and hem coming with retrograde menstruation and…
Key Points Lay Summary
A comparison of symptomatology and histopathologic features in surgically resected colorectal endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Tschan and associates from Feldrich Academic Teaching Hospital, Austria published their retrospective research on patients requiring colorectal surgical resection for endometriosis in European Journal of Medical Research. Bowel endometriosis requiring colorectal surgical resection causes important morbidity. The rectum and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antioxidant therapy for the endometriosis pain
By Selma Oransay
Ts the protective defense mechanism of cells, hence the destruction of balance between oxidants and antioxidants in our body is called "redox imbalance". The major oxidants are reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are involved in multiple cellular processes by physiologically…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer coexisting with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
The invasive nature of endometriosis results in calling the disease " benign cancer". The transformation of endometriosis to malignancy is rare, but when compared to the general population, the relative risk of developing ovarian cancer is 4.2 times greater especially…
Key Points Lay Summary
Self-management and the quality of life in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most common presenting complaints are mainly pelvic pain and infertility. There is no doubt that the physical and mental quality of life of these women is adversely affected. There are several studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Irem OnurThe association between body size and endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Until today there have been few studies investigating body size in childhood and adolescence in women with endometriosis. A new study published recently in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica provides further evidence of the associations between endometriosis, body…
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
By Ellen TumimbangOxidative stress, reactive products, detoxification, endometriosis and pain
By Ellen Tumimbang
Oxidative stress is one factor known to be involved in the pathogenesis, progression, and establishment of endometriosis in women. During oxidative stress, excess reactive oxygen species as a secondary by-product of lipid peroxidation and reactive aldehyde including 4- hydroxynonenal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Live Birth Rate in Women Who Underwent Fresh Embryo Transfer Using Freshly Retrieved Donor Oocytes
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?
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
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
Analysis of women with endometriosis-related pain before the multidisciplinary endometriosis care management
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis patients are generally treated by a single provider and they frequently report dissatisfaction with care. To decrease diagnostic delays, improve pain management, and promote patient satisfaction, multidisciplinary endometriosis centers emerged. But, baseline data assessing the efficacy of the multidisciplinary…
Key Points Lay Summary
High-dose progestin intake and sexual functions in endometriosis patients
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Oppenheimer et al. from the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation of Antoine Beclere University Hospital, Clamart, France, recently published this bi-center observational prospective study in "Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavica". The study was designed to put forth…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Is hemoglobin the immune trigger of endometriosis?
By Bahar Yuksel
The role of inflammatory cells in endometriosis has been a popular subject. However, the effects of blood inside the endometriomas were not clarified yet. The study conducted by Kusunoki et al. and published in the "Medical Molecular Morphology" journal has…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative pregnancy rate in infertile women with deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is fibrous/muscular infiltration of organs and anatomical structures containing endometrial tissue below the peritoneum regardless of the depth of infiltration. Another definition describes DIE as infiltration of the peritoneum by endometriotic lesions deeper than 5 mm. Pain,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep endometriosis treatment options based on the patient's decision
By Selma Oransay
Deep endometriosis, defined as endometriotic lesions penetrating deeper than 5 mm into the peritoneum comprise approximately 20% of all endometriosis cases. This invasive disease causes a significant reduction in the quality of life, social participation, and sexual health of affected…
Key Points Lay Summary
KEYNOTE: Excision Without Mutilation: It’s Possible! - Arnaud Wattiez, MD
By Özge Özkaya
In his keynote lecture, Dr. Wattiez talks about the pros and cons of endometriosis surgery and the importance of tailoring endometriosis surgery to individual patients. “Endometriosis is a disease that degrades patient’s wellbeing," Dr. Wattiez says and gives some examples…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exploring the Role of Neuropathy in Re-Operative Endometriosis - Marc Possover, MD, PhD
By Özge Özkaya
Prof. Possover starts his presentation by summarizing the possible cause of pelvic neuropathy following endometriosis surgery. Pelvic neuropathy is the damage or dysfunction of the pelvic nerve. Prof. Possover explained that this could either be due to incomplete surgery, disease…
Key Points Lay Summary
Operative techniques for Deep Endometriosis Surgery - Shaheen Khazali, MD
By Özge Özkaya
In this presentation, Dr. Shaheen Khazali, an endometriosis surgeon specialized in gastrointestinal and urinary tract endometriosis excision and in neuropelveology, talks about the general principles and some techniques for endometriosis surgery focusing on rectovaginal endometriosis. He also describes the "ten…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic Approach to Rectus Muscle Endometriosis and Inguinal Endometriosis - Ted Lee, MD
By Selma Oransay
Rectus muscle endometriosis and inguinal endometriosis are two rare types of endometriosis. Operation room videos of several patients with different rectus muscle endometriosis and inguinal endometriosis are shared during the presentation of Dr. Lee to clarify the methods of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Exploring Pelvic Pain: Deep to Ischial Spine Including Pre-Sacral Roots - A. Taner Usta, MD
By Irem Onur
Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer and results in functional or psychological disability or requires intervention and treatment by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. There are…
Key Points Lay Summary
Why Persistent or Recurrent Endometriosis Happens? - Dan Martin, MD
By Ellen Tumimbang
The objectives of Dr. Martin in this presentation are to understand the difficulties in recognition of deep and hidden endometriosis, difficulties in recognition of small lesions of micron size, and differentiate the look-alike lesions of endometriosis. He addressed overcoming these…
Key Points Lay Summary
Role of Prophylactic Oophorectomy in Endometriosis Patients with Ovarian Cancer History in the family - Farr Nezhat, MD
By Özge Özkaya
Dr. Nezhat starts his presentation by outlining his objectives, which are to review the basics of cancer genetics, give an overview about endometriosis and ovarian cancer, discuss the pathogenesis of malignant transformation of endometriosis, and talk about the clinical implications…
Key Points Lay Summary
Further Evidence that endometriosis is related to tubal or ovarian cancer - Togas Tulandi, MD
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
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
It is time for redefining endometriosis with our contemporary scientific knowledge - Philippe Koninckx, MD, Ph.D.
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Endometriosis defined as endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus has a poorly understood natural history. It is a heterogeneous disease having genetic-epigenetic features with many biochemical changes in the lesions. The Sampson hypothesis of implanted endometrial cells following retrograde menstruation is not…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urological Challenges in Endometriosis Surgery - Guenter Noe, MD
By Özge Özkaya
In this presentation, Dr. Guenter Noé, Head of Department of Rheilandklinikum Dormagen in Germany talks about endometriosis affecting the urinary tract. Dr. Noé starts by describing the different parts of the urinary tract that can be affected by endometriosis including…
Key Points Lay Summary
Implantation failure in endometriosis patients - Jovana Lekovich, MD., PhD.
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is one of the leading reasons for infertility due to decreased oocyte/embryo quality, fertilization ability, tubal function, and aberrant endometrial receptivity. Whether this failure is caused by oocyte/embryo or eutopic endometrium is one of the investigated topics in endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fixing holes: prevention and treatment of complications - Jon Einarsson, MD, MPH
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Einarsson shared his operating room video screens during his speech for discussing four major complications (ureter, bladder, bowel, and vascular) of endometriosis surgery and the ways to repair them. Fixing the ureter damage: Endometriotic nodules may settle on the tract…
Key Points Lay Summary
Limits of endometrioma surgery in infertility patients - Liselotte Mettler, MD, PhD
By Selma Oransay
The removal of endometrioma may affect ovarian reserve because healthy follicles near endometrioma could also be excised during this procedure. Another concern about the ovarian reserve is that it may be already low before the surgery. Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH)…
Key Points Lay Summary
In vitro fertilization protocols in endometriosis patients - Pinar Kodaman, MD., PhD.
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis, and sperm movements. Even though the disease stage and presence of endometrioma is negatively correlated with infertility, it is unpredictable which women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Increase the Risk of Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
The use of cosmetics and personal care products may be increasing the risk of endometriosis according to a study by Spanish researchers that was published in the journal "Environmental Research". This finding suggests that restricting the use of these products may…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and the sexual relations of the couples
By Selma Oransay
From the viewpoint of endometriotic women, the pain during the penetration is not the only complaint. They also have growing depression and anxiety leading to difficulties with their social and sexual relationship, work, and study. The emotional impact of sub-infertility,…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Possible genetic target for endometriosis treatment
By Dr. Youngran Park
Mutations in the chromosome remodeling complex SWI/SNF subunit ARID1A were first identified in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and ovarian endometrioid carcinoma, two endometriosis-associated epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes. ARID1A gene mutations are also observed in deep ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriosis, atypical endometrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
The recurrence risk of endometrioma in older age
By Bahar Yuksel
Ovarian endometrioma is more common in reproductive ages and the recurrence rate is around 20 percent in the first 2 years after the initial surgery. The use of postoperative hormonal therapy is a mutual option to decrease recurrences. The rate…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis involving the Sacral Plexus and Sciatic Nerve
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis rarely involves the sacral and sciatic nerves. A retrospective analysis led by Rouen University Hospital, France and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, has evaluated preoperative complaints, intraoperative findings, surgical procedures, and postoperative…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma size and anti-Müllerian hormone levels
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriotic lesions are encountered in different locations in the pelvic cavity, including but not limited to the ovaries, the pouch of Douglas, the ureters, the bladder, and the bowel. Cystic endometriosis lesions located in the ovary are called "endometrioma". Endometriomas have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does hysterectomy bring a total relief in patients with endometriosis?
By Bahar Yuksel
There is a common belief that hysterectomy is the last option to relieve the pain in patients with endometriosis by stopping the production of menstrual material. The study entitled "Impact of hysterectomy on analgesic, psychoactive and neuroactive drug use in…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Murat OsmanPelvic MRI, Endometriosis and Radiologist
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a condition whereby ectopic endometrial cells implant themselves onto other structures within the body. Depending on where these lesions are, their size, and if they cause symptoms, surgical intervention may be warranted. Although the gold standard for diagnosing…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to unveil the discrepancy regarding the effect of chemicals on the etiology of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Kristen Upson from Michigan State University published a review article evaluating research papers on environmental factors effective in endometriosis from an epidemiological perspective in "Current Epidemiology Reports". Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease with anatomical, hormonal, immunological, estrogenic, genetic, epigenetic, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
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
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
Endometrial fluid analysis as a new diagnostic test for endometriosis diagnosis
By Bahar Yuksel
There is still a huge demand for finding a minimally invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis and yet none has been defined properly. The present study which was conducted in Cleveland Clinic by Natalia C. Llarena et al between March 2017…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis and adenomyosis could be the “sides of the same coin”.
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
The two common gynecological disorders, namely adenomyosis, and endometriosis are not settled yet, whether they are representing two different entities or different phenotypes of the same ailment. Dr. Maruyama and colleagues from Nara, Japan searched PubMed and Google Scholar electronic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Natural Killer Cell Immunity
By Dr. Youngran Park
It is known that approximately 25 to 50% of infertile women have endometriosis, and 30% to 50% of the women with endometriosis have infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. Previous studies have shown that women suffering endometriosis have abnormal NK cell…
Key Points Lay Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging classification for the management of deep pelvic endometriosis
By Irem Onur
A new study published in the journal "Human Reproduction" reported that operating time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications in patients who underwent surgery for deep endometriosis can be predicted by the MRI. This result may be useful for clinicians to…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Timur SeckinCombination of noninvasive biomarkers in the identification of endometriosis
By Timur Seckin
The combined measurement of urine enolase, serum CA125, and CA19-9 may be an accurate test for the prediction and detection of endometriosis. This is according to a study published in the journal BioMedical Research International. The gold standard for the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Patients' opinion about surgical treatment of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Delayed diagnosis and management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain is a major problem in gynecologic practice. Alternatively, providers may feel reluctant to perform surgery although they are aware of treatment options and surgical timing. One possible reason for this…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Can a grape ingredient, resveratrol, be the promised warrior to defeat endometriosis?
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disorder and has a known relationship with angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Resveratrol is a part of a "polyphenol" compound which are thought to act like antioxidants, protects the body against damage. This compound is normally…
Key Points Lay Summary
Dyspareunia and Endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Women experience severe pain during intercourse related to endometriosis and this has a significant negative impact on the lives of women. This is according to an American study published in the "Journal of Pain Research". The study included 638 endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bad bad lipid go away!
By Yu Yu
Much like the progression of endometriosis, accumulating evidence suggests that systemic chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to atherosclerosis. The excess low-density lipoprotein increases inflammatory processes in the arteries, which may result in atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that…
Key Points Lay Summary
Indocyanine green in endometriosis surgery
By Selma Oransay
Recently, indocyanine green is well studied and used safely in real-time perfusion to organs or tissues, after taking into consideration its binding capacity to the plasma proteins. The usefulness and the effectiveness of near-infrared camera guided indocyanine green is proved with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Osteopontin and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Although characterized as a benign disease, some properties of endometriosis mimic malignant tissues such as proliferation, cell invasion, and metastasis. Osteopontin, also called secreted phosphoprotein 1, is one of the important molecular targets in cancer progression and metastasis. Osteopontin has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
It is time for non-invasive tests for peritoneal endometriosis diagnosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Maria Szubert with colleagues from Lodz Medical University, Poland, investigated the possibility of potential diagnostic biomarkers in the eutopic endometrial tissue from peritoneal endometriosis patients and published their results in the "Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction". Currently, diagnostic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Psychometric properties of Endometriosis Health survey-Swedish version
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disease resulting in a broad spectrum of symptoms and signs including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Additionally, gastrointestinal and urinary systems may be affected by this disease. All of these clinical findings impair…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fallopian tube endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis affects various tissues including pelvic and extra-pelvic organs. Fallopian tube endometriosis is not a widely studied topic in endometriosis, hence the real incidence is unknown as not all studies evaluate microscopically diagnosed Fallopian tube endometriosis. In the retrospective database…
Key Points Lay Summary
Non-coding RNAs and Endometriosis
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
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
An animal model of endometriosis reveals stress related disturbed vitamin D - vitamin D receptor axis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Lopez and colleagues from academic institutions of Puerto Rico published their experimental endometriosis findings on female rats regarding the effect of stress on vitamin D-vitamin D receptor systems and recently published their findings in "Reproductive Sciences". The group previously showed…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The intensity of pelvic pain is higher in endometriosis patients
By Irem Onur
Silva J.B. et al., researchers from Brazil, conducted a case-control study to determine the intensity of clinical pain, the average body composition, and the anthropometric markers including the body mass index, the perimeters (waist, abdomen, hip), and the percentage of…
Key Points Lay Summary
The more than expected prevalence of endometriosis in patients with Mullerian abnormalities
By Bahar Yuksel
Congenital müllerian anomalies resulting in a spectrum of uterine abnormalities are caused by the abnormal embryologic fusion of the müllerian ducts to form a normal uterine cavity. They are often unrecognized because they are usually asymptomatic. The presence of a uterine…
Key Points Lay Summary
Depression and anxiety levels in "in vitro fertilization" patients with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a reproductive-aged and estrogen-dependent disease. The most common symptoms of this disease are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility affecting the quality of life in several aspects mainly the psychological domain. In the literature, there are many studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis-related obstetrical complications and their outcome
By Selma Oransay
Borisova et al. from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Peoples' Friendship University, Moskow, Russia, and her colleagues from the Center of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine of University Perugia, Italy, recently published a review of the literature data about…
Key Points Lay Summary
Time for reassessment : Laparoscopic surgery and bowel endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Ferrero and associates from medical centers of Verona and Genoa, Italy, made a comprehensive review covering all aspects of the surgical approach to bowel endometriosis, published their results in "Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology". Bowel endometriosis is the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cellular communications: Exosomes in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Exosomes have been reported as cell-to-cell communicators, transfer many molecules such as miRNAs, RNAs, and proteins, and their alteration may cause many disease processes, including endometriosis. Considering the role of exosomes and their cargos in a cell to cell communication as important…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Sleep Quality, Lifestyle Factors and Endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis does not only affect the patients by dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. An important issue in these patients, like other chronic diseases, is sleep quality. Youseflu et al., from Iran, published a study entitled “Effects of endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Colorectal Deep Endometriosis Resection and Potential Complications
By Murat Osman
A severe clinical form of endometriosis, deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is characterized by more aggressive endometriotic lesions commonly involving deeper pelvic or gastrointestinal organs. It causes significant quality of life impairment and morbidity and is increasingly associated with infertility. When…
Key Points Lay Summary
Factors affecting the quality of life of women with endometriosis
By Timur Seckin
Results from a new study suggest that the quality of life of women with endometriosis is significantly affected by their confidence to manage pain and their belief in the evolution of their condition. In this study, led by Rees M. et…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep Endometriosis or Recto-uterine Obliteration Without Endometrioma
By Selma Oransay
The diagnostic help of ultrasound is increasing by its ability to diagnose deep infiltrating and rectouterine pouch obliteration in patients who are suffering from chronic pelvic pain. Clinicians are used to evaluating the rectal and parametrial areas of the endometriotic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antioxidant Enzymes in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Recent attention has been focused on the effect of oxidative stress in the development of endometriosis. Especially, there are several studies regarding glutathione peroxidase (GPX), a major enzyme in removing various reactive oxygen species. In the field of infertility, the…
Key Points Lay Summary
The advantages of combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach on voiding dysfunction for rectovaginal endometriosis
By Irem Onur
The patients with rectovaginal endometriotic nodules with extensive vaginal infiltration who are managed combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach have a lower risk of postoperative bladder dysfunction when compared to surgery via laparoscopy alone. This is according to a manuscript published in the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inhibiting killer on the move
By Yu Yu
The three main forms of endometriosis are superficial, ovarian, and deep endometriosis. The latter is defined by the presence of endometriotic nodules that are deeper than 5 mm. Deep endometriosis is considered the most aggressive and is associated with severe…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial polyps of patients with and without endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Endometrial polyps are benign local overgrowths comprising both glands and the stroma, and are quite common in gynecological practice. Endometriosis patients also commonly have polyps, which have yielded different features than those from patients without endometriosis. Dr. Jiangand and associates…
Key Points Lay Summary
The impact of laser vaporization on reproductive outcomes in women with endometrioma
By Hale Goksever Celik
Despite extensive research, the optimal method for the management of endometriosis still remains unclear. Excisional surgery is claimed with a more favorable outcome than drainage and ablation regarding the recurrence of disease and symptoms. On the other hand, cyst vaporization…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Call for Pan-Canadian Collaboration for the Care and Quality of Life of Endometriosis Patients
By Timur Seckin
Wahl KJ et al., from Canada, drew attention to the lack of health care for endometriosis patients who are estimated to be 1 million in number in Canada in their recent brief communication report. The delay in the diagnosis, the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bowel surgery for endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. The disease harbors various complications. Deep endometriosis involving the bowel is only one aspect of the condition that has variable phenotypic presentations and pathologic subtypes. Knowledge of the short- and long-term risks of the surgical…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Mental stress promotes mice endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis is a disease for which pathogenesis and progression are not fully understood. Inflammation is one of the key candidates that might be related to the creation or progression of endometriosis. In the study conducted by Kawakita et al from…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Natural history of spontaneous endometriosis in crab-eating monkeys
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Kaori Hayashi and associates from Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan, published their observations on spontaneously occurring endometriosis in crab-eating monkeys in "Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine"https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tjem/251/4/251_241/_pdf/-char/en. The presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, i.e., endometriosis is a progressive prevalent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a commonality between endometriosis and systemic lupus?
By Murat Osman
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect many organs including the skin, joints, the central nervous system, and the kidneys. Women of childbearing age and certain racial groups are at increased risk to develop the condition.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Patient-centered care in patients with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The women with endometriosis suffer from several symptoms and signs including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility which have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Endometriosis is diagnosed with 7-10 years of delay due to the absence…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immune cells and endometriosis pain
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder in women. This disease leads to dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. The immune reaction is one of the most widely accepted pathologies of endometriosis. Estrogen dysfunction stimulates immune cells in the peritoneal cavity affecting…
Key Points Lay Summary
Voiding Dysfunction after Colorectal Surgery for Endometriosis
By Timur Seckin
Postoperative voiding dysfunction is a less frequent complication of rectal shaving than that of discoid excision or segmental resection in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for endometriosis, regardless of its definition. This is according to a meta-analysis conducted by researchers from…
Key Points Lay Summary
Prevalence, Risk factors and Management of Bowel Fistula after Rectosigmoid Surgery for Deep Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Bowel fistula is a severe complication after the colorectal endometriosis surgery, but little is known about its prevalence, and reports on large series are lacking. To discuss specific management on colorectal deep endometriosis, Roman et al. conducted a retrospective study…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Yu Yu
Hormonal therapy can be effective for endometriosis, although laparoscopic surgery is required for the frequent drug-resistant symptoms. Laparoscopic surgery can markedly improve endometriosis-associated pain. The administration of GnRH agonist prior to endometriosis laparoscopic surgery may be beneficial to improve surgical…
Key Points Lay Summary
Reproductive capacity and recurrence rate after surgery for Stage III/IV endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
If gaining fertility back is the main goal, the surgical removal of endometriosis lesions is globally recognized as first-line therapy. Even though, pre- and postoperative hormone therapy leads to a significant decrease in the spread of the disease measured with the…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effects of nutrients on endometriosis-related symptoms
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
A recent literature review from the Netherlands by researchers Emma Huijs and Annamiek Nap, published in "Reproductive Biomedicine Online" puts light on the effects of some nutrients for endometriosis-related symptomatology. Endometriosis has heterogeneous pathogenesis involving genetic, immunological, environmental, and hormonal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Early maternal separation and endometriosis progression in adult mice
By Hale Goksever Celik
The quality of life in the women affected by endometriosis depends on the symptoms and signs of endometriosis such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, it…
Key Points Lay Summary
Increased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and its possible role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that functional endometrial tissue exists outside both the uterine cavity and myometrium. The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear and controversial. According to the implantation theory, which is the most well-known, migration and invasion are two…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fallopian tubes and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
There are multiple theories to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis, among which the most popular one is Sampson's retrograde menstruation theory. The role of endometrial stem cells/progenitors are widely studied to support the origin of ectopic lesions in recent decades.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hormone Control Related Genes in Women With Endometriosis
By Ellen Tumimbang
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. The development of endometriosis is stimulated by the specific ability to receive the estrogen that is needed for growth and differentiation of endometrial cells and has numerous biological functions in eutopic and ectopic endometrium. Estrogen…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Impacts Transgender Adolescents
By Irem Onur
Shim J.Y. et al, from Boston, Massachusetts retrospectively searched the electronic medical records of transmasculine patients younger than 26 years old who were diagnosed with dysmenorrhea and treated at Boston Children’s Hospital, between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2020.…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Nadire DuruClinical characteristics linked to recurrence of ovarian endometrioma
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women. Three types of endometriosis are peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Ovarian endometriosis is the most common type of endometriosis with a high rate of recurrence. Laparoscopy is the gold standard treatment for endometriosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The impact of obesity on safety and feasibility of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
The quality of life in the women affected by endometriosis depends on the symptoms and signs of endometriosis such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The most common locations of endometriosis are ovary, ovarian fossa, uterosacral ligament, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adolescent endometriosis
By Timur Seckin
A recent article, led by experts from Peking Medical Union College, describes the clinical characteristics and postoperative symptoms of adolescent endometriosis. The authors inform that their report, which is published in the "Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology", can provide…
Key Points Lay Summary
Suggested remedies for endometriosis patients during coronavirus pandemic
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
The pandemic of COVID-19 continues to have important effects on endometriosis patients worldwide. Many health care facilities stopped providing surgical management and outpatient appointments are canceled or postponed. Dr. Leonardi from Australia and associates from several countries published their proposals…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hysterectomy as a choise of chronic pelvic pain relief in endometriotic women.
By Selma Oransay
Sandstrom et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Umea University, Sweden, found a significant and long-lasting reduction in pain symptoms after hysterectomy among women with confirmed endometriosis and recently published their results in "BJOG". The authors performed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Occult microscopic endometriosis in clinically negative peritoneum
By Irem Onur
Occult microscopic endometriosis may be present in approximately 39% of patients with clinically negative appearing peritoneum undergoing laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain. This finding is presented in a study published online this month in the International Journal of Gynecology &…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cancer-associated mutations and endometriosis
By Ellen Tumimbang
Endometriosis is thought to benign gynecological disease. However, recent studies compiled in this review paper suggest that spontaneous somatic mutations are driven to occur during the cyclic bleeding resulting in endometriosis tissue undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair. Mutations are…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cabergoline or Progesterone not Effective in Rat Model of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Oral treatment with cabergoline or micronized progesterone for four weeks is not effective in the regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model of the disease. This is according to a study published in the "Journal of Investigative Surgery". Cabergoline…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Bone morphogenetic protein and endometriosis
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis is a chronic 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. Although endometriosis is categorized as a benign lesion, the ectopic endometrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Local inflammation and follicle development in women with ovarian endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis, a cause of subfertility, is found in almost 50% of infertile women. The elevated levels of cytokines in the follicular fluid of patients with endometriosis might account for the ovulatory dysfunction. Granulosa cells (GCs) play important roles in follicular…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anogenital distance and endometriosis
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
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
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
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
Diagnosing Deep Endometriosis Using Transvaginal Elastosonography
By Murat Osman
Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is an advanced form of endometriosis that causes significant morbidity to a large number of women. Early detection of endometriosis is imperative for early treatment and improved outcomes for these patients. Currently, transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Menstrual Blood Proteins for Endometriosis Diagnosis
By Ellen Tumimbang
Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. The backflow of menstrual blood from the uterus through the fallopian tubes is thought to be the cause of endometrial tissue growing outside the uterine cavity when…
Key Points Lay Summary
A hope for postoperative symptomatic endometriosis therapy
By Irem Onur
A new chapter in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis patients may begin since new medical approaches including oral GnRH antagonists, selective progesterone receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and peritoneal immune response modulators are being actively evaluated. To date, there was only…
Key Points Lay Summary
Opioids use in women with endometriosis, what does it tell us?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that can cause many painful symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and sacral or low back pain. More than half of women diagnosed with endometriosis suffer from chronic pelvic pain.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis by Race
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is usually diagnosed in reproductive-aged women with an incidence of approximately 10%. The most common presenting symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility in patients with endometriosis. Some risk factors have been identified for the development of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Health inequalities in USA
By Timur Seckin
Dr. E. Albert Reece, the vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, specialized in maternal and fetal medicine, wrote on health disparities in the American nation, in Obstetrics and Gynecology News, on the website www.mdedge.com, in June…
Key Points Lay Summary
Discrepancies between racial/ethnic groups and choice of hysterectomy procedures
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Pollack and associates from Washington University, St.Louis, made multistate research regarding the patient profile in hysterectomies and published their results in the 2019 December issue of "The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology". The most frequently performed nonobstetric surgery in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is oocyte cryopreservation useful for fertility preservation in ovarian endometriosis?
By Irem Onur
Women with endometriosis tend to have lower fecundity compared to normal couples. Furthermore, endometrioma itself may reduce the ovarian reserve by altering ovarian physiology in the surrounding healthy ovarian tissue. The treatment for endometrioma is surgical removal in most cases, however,…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Can Racial and Ethnic Disparities Be Reduced Among Women’s Health and Healthcare?
By Özge Özkaya
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a set of recommendations to help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in women’s health and healthcare and encourage obstetricians, gynecologists, and other health care practitioners to engage in activities to help achieve…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis surgery and future pregnancy complications
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis is one of the known diseases for infertility in the reproductive period of women. Several studies revealed that endometriosis itself maybe the reason for some unfavorable obstetric outcomes. Localization, the type of endometriotic lesions, and the stage of endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Case-control study to develop a questionnaire for early diagnosis of endometriosis
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
The predictors for sexual dysfunction in infertile women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. Its incidence ranges up to 10% of reproductive-aged women. The most common symptoms in these women are chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immune System, Cytokines and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease. Diagnosing endometriosis is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary considerably. Therefore, the discovery of a reliable non-invasive diagnostic biomarker would represent a major advance for the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. It has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Neglected needs of endometriosis and infertility patients during COVID-19 pandemic
By Timur Seckin
With the global outbreak of the COVID-19, hospitals canceled surgeries and people are afraid of going to hospitals. However, chronic diseases still need to be managed. Rowe H. and Quinlivan J., researchers from Australia, pointed out the neglected needs of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Risk Factors Associated with Ureteral Endometriosis
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
White blood cell neutrophils link to immunosuppressive environment in ovarian endometrioma
By Yu Yu
Recently the contribution of neutrophils to the pathogenesis of endometriosis has been suggested. Several observations fuelled this suggestion, such as the accumulation of neutrophils in the peritoneal fluid of ovarian endometriosis; neutrophil extracellular traps were found in the peritoneal fluid of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Resveratrol for infertility: A frenemy?
By Selma Oransay
Ovarian aging is defined by an age-specific decline of the functional ovarian reserve. Female ovarian reserve declines progressively with increasing chronological age. Chronic damage by reactive oxygen species results in deterioration and aging through mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere shortening, cohesion dysfunction,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fatigue from the viewpoint of patients with endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Fatigue, feeling spoonie, is documented as a significant symptom of endometriosis in many studies. Researchers from three different institutions dealing with reproductive health conducted individual interviews with patients reporting moderate to severe endometriosis-related pain to better understand endometriosis-related fatigue and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
NAT2 as potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age causing several discomforts, pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, ectopic bleeding, infertility, and sometimes even malignant transformation but its etiology remains unclear. Accumulating evidence point a key role for genetic factors and there is…
Key Points Lay Summary
miR-92a and progesterone resistance in endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This incidence of this disease is 35% to 50% among those who suffer from chronic pelvic pain and infertility, which has a negative effect on the quality of life and on health. Recent genome-wide associations…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Insomnia
By Timur Seckin
There should be more awareness among clinicians for the relationship between insomnia and endometriosis, the study suggests. There needs to be a suspect of endometriosis whenever the clinician faces women of reproductive age with sleep or insomnia-related symptoms. This symptom is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Progressive nature of ovarian endometrioma
By Yu Yu
The effective management of endometriosis requires a proper understanding of how the condition progress as women age, especially for those women with early onset of endometriosis. Several studies have tried to characterize the evolution of endometriosis. Some of the key…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Ng and associates from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA made a comprehensive review of the role of the iron element in the development of endometriotic lesions. Though iron element is essential for cell survival, and its deficiency is important…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are endometriosis patients at higher risk of bipolar disorder?
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis patients are prone to develop certain psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as bipolar disorder, according to a nationwide population-based cohort study from Taiwan. Bipolar disorder formerly called manic-depression is a chronic mental disorder characterized by unusual changes…
Key Points Lay Summary
Maternal body mass index and neonatal outcomes in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. Its prevalence is 10-15% in the general population of this age. However, endometriosis is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Interleukin-37b inhibits the growth of murine endometriosis-like lesions
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that causes chronic pain and infertility in women. Despite continuous efforts and numerous research, there is, ultimately, still much to understand about the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Inflammatory factors including several interleukins have already been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hysterolaparoscopy Plus Assisted Reproduction Improves Fertility in Women with Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Hysteroscopy and laparoscopic surgery is an effective and reliable therapeutic procedure, confirmed a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Medicine". The approach is even more effective when combined with assisted reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination and in vitro…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Yohan SuryoSteroid hormone receptors in endometriosis
By Yohan Suryo
Therapeutics that target the steroid hormones are the standard treatment for women with endometriosis because steroid hormones play an important role in endometrial physiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis. Examples of these therapeutics include anti-estrogens, estrogen receptor (ER) modulators, progestins, and…
Key Points Lay Summary
How should MRI images be obtained for optimal endometriosis detection?
By Murat Osman
It is well known that the diagnosis of endometriosis for some patients with the chronic pelvic disease is delayed, often for years, due to the disease, patient, and physician-led factors. An area of active study is how ordering physicians can…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal sonography for predicting the distance between rectosigmoid endometriosis and the anal verge
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
Oxidative stress leads to elevated cytokines, excessive structural damage and angiogenesis
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is characterized by elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species, which is then believed to upregulate inflammatory cytokines. Reactive oxygen species also regulate the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which is closely linked with immune responses.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgical approach to rectovaginal endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Recto-vaginal endometriosis incidence is estimated at 3.8%-37% among women with endometriosis and when it exists it's a part of deeply infiltrated endometriosis, thus advance stage endometriosis. Raimondo et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of…
Key Points Lay Summary
tRNA-derived fragments in ovarian endometriosis?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent mysterious disorder characterized by the presence of endometrium outside the normal location of the uterus cavity. This disease affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and becomes a major reason for infertility in reproductive-aged women and dysmenorrhea…
Key Points Lay Summary
Recurrence following surgery for subtypes of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease identified by the location of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. It is considered as a gynecological disease of reproductive-aged women. Three subtypes of endometriosis are peritoneal endometriosis which defines the endometriotic lesions…
Key Points Lay Summary
The efficacy of combined hormonal contraception on pelvic pain in endometriosis patients
By Irem Onur
Chronic pelvic pain, which is experienced by more than 33% of endometriosis patients, constitutes a significant challenge for patients and physicians. A new study that appears in the journal Human Reproduction Open has explored the prevalence of endometriosis patients with a history…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antioxidants inhibit autophagy in ectopic endometrial cells
By Nadire Duru
Factors involved in the development of ectopic endometrium are not well-known, but several reports demonstrate a potential role for the pathophysiological processes including autophagy. Studies show that autophagy plays a significant role in endometriosis but the key mechanisms underlying the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The link between ovarian cancer and endosalpingiosis
By Timur Seckin
The presence of benign glands lined by tubal-type epithelium in the peritoneum and subperitoneal tissues is called "endosalpingiosis". A recent study that investigates the possible association between endosalpingiosis and ovarian cancer was conducted by Hermens et al., from the Netherlands, and has…
Key Points Lay Summary
Non-hormonal chemicals for endometriosis related pain reduction
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Loi and colleagues conducted a clinical prospective study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Italy, and published in the journal "International Journal of Women’s Health". Formation of adhesions and/or interference with the reproductive process endometriosis, severe…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertility conservation in women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women in their reproductive period and almost half of them may need Assisted Reproductive techniques to conceive. Moreover, increased malignancy risk is threatening the women with severe endometriosis in addition to their decreased ovarian reserve. Due…
Key Points Lay Summary
Imaging of gastrointestinal endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue to surrounding pelvic and extra-pelvic structures. One frequent site of involvement is the gastrointestinal(GI) tract, which occurs especially among women with deep infiltrating endometriosis. Most cases of GI-involving…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertility preservation protocols in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is one of the major symptoms in women with endometriosis. Childbearing at a delayed age is preferred by the majority of women recently who consult for the demand for fertility preservation procedures. There are several techniques for fertility preservation…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urgent Need For Building Resilience
By Timur Seckin
According to Naeem et al.’s article, “Coping with Covid”, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the ideal intervention tool to increase resilience. Their study has recently been published in "Kyber Medical University Journal". The authors investigate the psychological impact of the Covid-19…
Key Points Lay Summary
Early Life Factors for Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women. Despite the significant impact, the etiology of endometriosis is still unclear. A recent systematic review of 15 studies of adolescents found that overall 65% of girls undergoing laparoscopic investigation were diagnosed with endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long-term Pregnancy Results after Surgical Removal of Endometrioma
By Irem Onur
Sun et al., from China, investigated the pregnancy outcomes and the related factors in patients with endometrioma and stage III-IV endometriosis along with a long-term follow-up postoperatively. Their study has recently been published in the journal named "Advances in Therapy".…
Key Points Lay Summary
IL-33 Polarize Peritoneal Macrophages for Endometriosis Growth
By Nadire Duru
M2 type macrophages are the most common type of macrophages found in endometriosis and they enhance the development of endometriosis lesions. The key factors that stimulate macrophages to polarize towards M2 and contribute to the increased endometriosis lesions remain to be…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Relationship Between Dyspareunia and Infertility in Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Wahl et al. from the Center of Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis British Columbia Women's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada studied with endometriotic patients suffering from dyspareunia who were referred to their center and built a cross-sectional study to investigate the relations between…
Key Points Lay Summary
All aspects of endometriosis reviewed with focus on modern management
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Chapron and associates from academic centers in France published in Nature Review Endocrinology, a comprehensive review on endometriosis. The article is inclusive of all aspects of endometriosis but especially focuses on the management of the disease with its contemporary status. Having a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Abdominal wall endometriosis: Who is at risk and what causes it?
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a condition that can cause anatomic, hormonal, and inflammatory disturbances that may ultimately result in decreased fertility or infertility. It is a disease process that is defined as ectopic endometrial-like tissue implanting itself to various pelvic and extra…
Key Points Lay Summary
Polymorphisms and endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses.
By Yohan Suryo
The symptoms of endometriosis are varied among women and include chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and fatigue. There are no reliable blood tests and medical imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound are not always satisfactory. The lack of endometriosis-specific symptoms…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does Getting Pregnant Really Help When You Have Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
Pregnancy has a favorable impact on the volume of deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions according to a study published in the scientific journal "PLoS One". This is the first study that demonstrates such a favorable impact of pregnancy on endometriosis lesion…
Key Points Lay Summary
Kisspeptin and its Receptor in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
By Irem Onur
It is known that matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. For example, the upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 may enhance the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, facilitating cell migration and invasion. Kisspeptin (KISS1, also…
Key Points Lay Summary
The predictive factors for early spontaneous miscarriage in IVF/ICSI cycles
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common presenting complaints of endometriosis are mainly dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Affected women demand therapy for these symptoms of endometriosis, notably fertility problems. The clinical pregnancy rate has increased up to 60% in assisted reproductive…
Key Points Lay Summary
Regulation of Inflammation in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent and multifaceted gynecological condition. Unfortunately, this disease frequently causes chronic and cyclic pelvic pain. Though there are several treatments are available, there is not an actual cure for this disease. Therefore, the development of new therapy…
Key Points Lay Summary
Leiomyomas have similar genetic background with endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
This multicenter research conducted in institutions located in the USA and UK published in Nature Communications, October 2019 issue. Leiomyomata of the uterus are hormone-dependent tumors with an estimated prevalence of about 20-77%. İn several publications. Research in uterine leiomyoma…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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 relationship of serum concentrations of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Although many serum biomarkers or biomarker panels for endometriosis are evaluated, none of them is exact enough to be used in daily laboratory practice. In a recent study, which has been published in Scandinavian Journal Of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Barberic…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Demet Candaş GreenHow well do providers understand endometriosis?
By Demet Candaş Green
Endometriosis is a challenging disease no matter what side of the equation you are in, a patient or a provider who cares for patients with the disease. It impacts millions of women worldwide, making it one of the most prevalent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Phytotherapy as an alternative endometriosis treatment
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease that affects 5–10% of women in fertile age. Different therapeutic strategies are available to treat this disease, such as surgery, hormonal therapies, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medical therapy usually consists of different hormonal drugs,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adiposity, endometriosis type and severity
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Jiyoung from the division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine of the University of Utah, planned a prospective cross-sectional study to assess whether there is an inverse relationship between the adiposity and endometriosis. The results of…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is commonly diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. Although many advanced types of research about the etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment have been performed, it still remains an enigmatic disease. Dr. Bedaiwy, a scientist and physician…
Key Points Lay Summary
Integrated bioinformatic analysis for endometriosis diagnosis
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis is considered as a non-malignant disease, but it is associated with several unfavorable conditions including non‑menstrual pelvic pain and infertility. Surgical resection and hormone suppression are common means of treatments; however, several side-effects and the recurrence are not preventable.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative serum CA 125 levels predict the severity of adhesions in endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Lee Y. et al., a group of researchers from Korea evaluated the correlation between preoperative serum markers and pelvic adhesions in endometriosis patients and explored the markers’ clinical value for outcome prediction. They have recently published their study in the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which treatment option improves fertility the most?
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a condition that causes anatomic, hormonal, and inflammatory disturbances that may ultimately result in decreased fertility or infertility. It is estimated that 30-50% of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility. Thus, the role of surgical, medical, or expectant…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Women’s Tendency Towards Blood Clotting
By Özge Özkaya
Women with ovarian endometriomas have an abnormally increased tendency toward blood clotting, study shows. Researchers think that this is due to the inflammatory nature of endometriosis. So abnormal coagulation parameters could be used to diagnose endometriosis, however, more detailed studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
Treatment choices for abdominal wall endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Welch et.al, from the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, worked with his gynecologist colleagues to underline the current treatment algorithm of abdominal wall endometriosis in Mayo Clinic. Their experience results recently published in the journal "Abdominal Radiology". Abdominal wall…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of acidic ribosomal protein P1 in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. The disease develops and composed of the ectopic endometrial-like tissue which establishes primarily in the pelvic cavity. Previous findings clearly show that estrogen-related factors are critical for endometriosis development and progression. However, we do have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Woman at reproductive age suffering from migraines should consider getting evaluated for endometriosis.
By Demet Candaş Green
What do migraine and endometriosis have in common? One can easily answer “pain”. Turns out there are other shared aspects when it comes to these two conditions: both have a high prevalence in women of childbearing age, both suffer from…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Role of miR-141 in endometriosis
By Nadire Duru
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (18–24 nucleotides) endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate a broad range of signaling pathways. They bind to specific sequences resulting in mRNA degradation and protein inhibition. Deregulation of miRNAs is associated with the development of many disease…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impact of Genetic Variations in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This disease affects approximately 7% to 10% of reproductive-aged women and causes negative impacts on society. The underlying causes are unclear; therefore, the understanding of this disease remains a major clinical challenge. Endometriosis has a…
Key Points Lay Summary
The prevalence and severity of endometriosis today
By Irem Onur
Ghiasi M. et al., a group of researchers from the USA, presented a comprehensive review of the prevalence, incidence, and stage of endometriosis worldwide as reported over the past 30 years. Researchers performed a search in four databases, including PubMed,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Worrying signs of Endometriosis on Hysterosalpingography
By Murat Osman
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an imaging modality that utilizes fluoroscopy in order to evaluate the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, and adjacent peritoneal cavity by injecting contrast media through the cervical canal. It is an important tool in the work-up of patients who…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Severity and Complication Risks Following Laparoscopic Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
In a research article published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts suggested that the severity of endometriosis could not be a predictor of the risk of post-operative complications. In…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association between endometriosis and ectopic pregnancy
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and fertility problems. It has been understood in the light of scientific evidence that endometriosis is also associated with other poor…
Key Points Lay Summary
What we should know in managing infertility related to endometriosis?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Llarena and associates made a comprehensive review of the causes of infertility in endometriosis and adverse effects of surgical procedures in Clinical Medicine Insights: Reproductive Health. Infertility is an important issue in endometriosis patients and about 30-50 % face infertility.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease show the same pathologic mechanism in terms of endothelial dysfunction. Tan et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada reviewed the literature aiming to determine whether women…
Key Points Lay Summary
CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists as novel therapies for endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a common, estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disorder. It affects approximately 5-10% of reproductive-aged women and 20-50% of infertile women. Endometriosis also has a significant social and psychological impact on the lives of women. Despite such a significant burden, there…
Key Points Lay Summary
A nonhormonal treatment of endometriosis: Dichloroacetate
By Irem Onur
In women with endometriosis, peritoneal mesothelial cells show higher glycolysis, lower mitochondrial respiration, decreased enzymatic activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and increased production of lactate compared to women without the disease. Transforming growth factorβ1 and lactate are elevated in the peritoneal…
Key Points Lay Summary
What do Women with Endometriosis Think About the Medical Profession?
By Özge Özkaya
Failure of surgical treatment, use of the emergency room, and access to complementary healthcare are factors associated with a negative perception of the medical profession in women with endometriosis. This is according to a study conducted by researchers in British…
Key Points Lay Summary
A comprehensive review on the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Endometriosis, being a heterogeneous disease has a highly complex etiopathogenesis. A multicenter comprehensive review on this important subject from Italy, Germany, and the USA by Lagana and associates, was recently published in the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences" an open-access journal. Computerized…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and ovarian reserve
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is most frequently encountered in reproductive-aged women. Its prevalence is 10-15% in the general population of this age. However, endometriosis is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to design patient-centered interventions to meet the needs of endometriosis patients
By Selma Oransay
The treatment of endometriosis is not perfect and necessitates the development of patient-oriented care initiatives. On this basis, patient-related transparent information should be the priority for researchers to find out a way for targeted interventions. Steele et al. from Australia and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Molecular Profile Unique to Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis remains to be a disease entity that is not fully understood. However, recent studies suggest that endometriosis is characterized by several dysregulated biochemical pathways that allow for its survival and growth outside the uterine endometrium. Authors have recently published…
Key Points Lay Summary
When to do - and when not to do surgery for endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. It was estimated to affect about 176 million women in the world and usually causes pelvic pain and infertility. Unfortunately, the current understanding of this disease is very limited. Though there are many remaining questions,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis in the Urinary Bladder
By Timur Seckin
A case of bladder endometriosis is reported by Geng JH, from Taiwan, and the paper has been recently published in The New England Journal Of Medicine. The patient was a 38-year-old woman presented to the outpatient urology clinic with complaints…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does the Severity of Endometriosis Increase the Risk of Complications Following Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
The severity of endometriosis cannot predict the risk of complications after laparoscopy. Instead, the complexity of the surgical procedure itself may increase the risk of complications. This is according to a study published in the journal "Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica".…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new ultrasound subgrouping reveals good clinical correlations in adenomyosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Exacoustos and colleagues from two endometriosis tertiary referral centers in Rome, Italy published their observational, prospective study of the recently proposed transvaginal ultrasonographic scoring system in the "Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology". Adenomyosis or “endometriosis interna” is defined as the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is commonly diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. The most common complaints of women with endometriosis are pain and fertility problems. Although many advanced types of research about the etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment have been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgery and the endometriosis associated-pain: A systematic review
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
The role of inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a very common gynecological disorder affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women, and it is known by the abnormal growth of endometrial stroma and glands outside the uterus. Though the pathogenesis of endometriosis is not clearly understood so far,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Post-menopausal women diagnosed with Endometriosis and "Imaging"
By Murat Osman
Postmenopausal endometriosis is an underrecognized clinical entity that may present similarly to those of younger patients with endometriosis. Radiologists have an important role in the diagnosis of these patients as they recommend which imaging study should be used to differentiate…
Key Points Lay Summary
Medical databases yield 32 published cases of surgically treated liver endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Prodromidou and colleagues from Greece have published a review of surgically diagnosed, histopathologically proven liver endometriosis cases published worldwide, in the journal "Annals of Hepatology". Searching at three electronic medical databases namely, PubMed (1966–2019), Scopus(2004–2019), and Google Scholar (2004–2019) for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hemorrhagic Ascites, Belly-Blood: The cause may be endometriosis!
By Timur Seckin
A paper on the presentation of hemorrhagic ascites in endometriosis patients, written by Bernard et al. from the United States and China, was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. From 1978 to 2016, the authors found only 37 articles, which describe 42…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
MRI findings predicting the need for colorectal surgical treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Irem Onur
LAY SUMMARY: Brusic A. et al., a group of researchers from Australia, conducted a retrospective study to identify the features of deep infiltrating endometriosis on MRI which have an association with colorectal surgical bowel resection. They have recently published their…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Regret assessment in women under 35 years who underwent hysterectomy
By Hale Goksever Celik
Hysterectomy is the most common gynecological operation in women for the management of benign or malign indications. Leiomyomas, menorrhagia, endometriosis, and pain unresponsive to medical treatment can be accepted as the most common indications for hysterectomy. However, hysterectomy, as the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis features vs Patient age
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis, a common gynecological disease, has significant negative impacts on patients’ daily life. Especially in younger women who have yet to achieve pregnancy, effective management should consider the disease progression. Though it is still under debate, some people suggest that…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cannabis usage among Australian women with endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Sinclair J. et al., a group of researchers from Australia, conducted a cross-sectional online survey to determine the prevalence, tolerability, and self-reported effectiveness of cannabis in women with endometriosis. This study included 484 women with complete responses. Of all women,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Cloverleaf Sign: A new MRI sign for diagnosing DIE
By Selma Oransay
Magnetic resonance imaging provides accurate information for the staging of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, especially when the patient is virgin, obese or has limited transvaginal examinations due to pelvic pain. In this recently published study in Investive Radiology, Harma et al.…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Best to Assess Productivity at Work Among Women with Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
The health-related productivity questionnaire (HRPQ) is a valid tool to evaluate patient-reported productivity at work and at home among women with endometriosis found a study by U.S. researchers. This finding is important because it shows that HRPQ can be used…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Endometriosis and Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Simmen and associates from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Alabama, published a review article about the co-existence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and endometriosis, in the recent issue of the "Journal of Endocrinology". Insulin-dependent diabetes or T1DM…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Factors affecting risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy
By Özge Özkaya
Getting married when older, having had ovarian endometriosis for longer, giving birth in a shorter time, and other complications in the uterus that are benign may all increase the risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy. This is according to a study…
Key Points Lay Summary
M1 and M2 macrophages in ovarian endometriomas
By Yu Yu
Macrophages play an essential role in the immune response during inflammation and have been implicated in diseases such as inflammatory conditions and cancers. Broadly, macrophages are classified into M1 and M2. The M1 macrophages are pro-inflammatory, and in contrast, the…
Key Points Lay Summary
The effect of endometriosis on implantation in women with endometriosis associated infertility
By Hale Goksever Celik
One of the most common clinical findings of women with endometriosis is fertility problems. Women with endometriosis often benefit from in vitro fertilization methods to get pregnant. However, whether there is a detrimental effect of endometriosis on in vitro fertilization outcomes…
Key Points Lay Summary
A rigorous literature review on endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Bulun SE. et al., from Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, conducted a rigorous literature review on endometriosis. This outstanding review by Dr. Bulun et al. addresses the definition, remarkable medical features, clinically useful research findings, prevalence and distribution,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Machine Learning Classifiers for Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a complicated gynecological disorder that affects about 176 million women worldwide. It significantly impairs mental and physical quality of life in patients but the etiology is poorly understood. Endometriosis also causes a large economic burden due to loss…
Key Points Lay Summary
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.
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
Endometriosis of the Appendix
By Timur Seckin
Endometriosis of the gastrointestinal tract is infrequent, and it rarely involves the appendix. A group of researchers from the United States of America reported a case of a 50-year-old postmenopausal woman with endometriosis in the vermiform appendix presenting as acute…
Key Points Lay Summary
Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels for predicting spontaneous pregnancy after endometriosis surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. Although there are several medical and surgical therapeutic options, the most effective treatment modality has not yet been elucidated. The main…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on Physiological Processes Associated with Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Sensory nerves play an important role in the development of endometriosis as well as fibrosis, confirms a study by Chinese researchers. A better understanding of physiological processes associated with the development of endometriosis can help researchers devise new ways to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis as an epigenetically regulated disease
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is defined as the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. It affects about 10% of reproductive age women resulting in severe pain and infertility. Among various theories of endometriosis pathogenesis, not a single one has successfully…
Key Points Lay Summary
Consquences of endometriosis in menopausal period.
By Selma Oransay
Marie-Scemama et al. from Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France, referred to endometriosis and menopause which is an actual cruising topic and recently published it in the journal named "Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation". Endometriosis a well-known estrogen-dependent disease has three…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there any difference between endometriosis patients with or without obliterated cul-de-sac during laparoscopic hysterectomy?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. It is diagnosed in 10% to 15% of reproductive-aged women. Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new technique for laparoscopic management of ovarian endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
To cause a minimal hazardous effect on ovarian reserve during laparoscopic surgery of endometriomas is always a great concern for clinicians. Shaltout et al. from Cairo University, Egypt, examined the effect of "Surgicel" on preventing the recurrence of endometriomas and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which surgical approach for bowel endometriosis?
By Irem Onur
A group of researchers from Spain, led by Dr. Alicia Hernández Gutiérrez, conducted a retrospective study to compare postoperative complications and recurrence of three surgical techniques: segmental bowel resection (group I), discoid excision (group II), and rectal nodule shaving (group…
Key Points Lay Summary
Perinatal risk factors for endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Gao M. et al., from Sweden analyzed the associations of maternal and birth characteristics with the risk of endometriosis among Swedish women of reproductive age. They have recently published their study in the "International Journal of Epidemiology". The authors conducted…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Protein for Endometriosis Diagnosis
By Özge Özkaya
A protein called TIMP3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3) could be used for the diagnosis and prognosis (likely course) of endometriosis. The early diagnosis of endometriosis is of paramount importance because it can help to diagnosis and thus initiate the right…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does ovarian endometriosis affect oocyte quality?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a very common gynecological disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. It is reported that patients with endometriosis have reduced implantation and pregnancy rates compared to healthy women. According to the various previous studies, the quality of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Using social media to raise awareness for endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Raise your hand if you have used internet or social media to search for information today. We all do, every single day. Whether it is a recipe, biography of a favorite singer, reviews of a new restaurant, or today’s weather,…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Is there an association between endometriosis and sexual activity during menstruation ?
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
This recent case-control study with 185 women having endometriosis and 370 women as a control group was conducted in Tebriz University, Iran by Dr. Mollazadeh and associates. Contemporarily, retrograde menstruation is a valid theory for disseminating endometrial tissue to the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Analysis of childless women with endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Facchin F. et al., from Italy studied if the beliefs of childless women regarding motherhood, female identity, and infertility affected their psychological health. They have recently published their study in the Journal of Health Psychology. The data of this study were…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
MicroRNA Inhibitor as an Endometriosis treatment
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a well-known estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder. This disease affects approximately 20% to 50% of infertile women and 10% of reproductive-aged women resulting in infertility and pelvic pains. In order to find endometriosis-specific treatment, various studies have been tried to…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Impact of Endometriosis on Embryo Development
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder which affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age. There are many endometriosis-related problems, but infertility is one of the well-known issues which should be handled and understood. Despite numerous trials, the mechanisms and pathology…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
By Timur Seckin
In a new study co-led by scientists at Sorbonne University, a nomogram is built to better inform patients about the risk of deep endometriosis surgery without bowel involvement. The findings have been published in the European Journal of Obstetrics &…
Key Points Lay Summary
Melatonin receptors and their role in endometrial cell proliferation
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis demand therapy for the most common symptoms, which are pelvic pain and infertility. Despite extensive research, the exact pathophysiological mechanism and the optimal management of endometriosis still remains unclear. Management of endometriosis should aim to relieve pain,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Omur Taskin and associates from British Columbia, Canada, have recently published a review regarding the potential link between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and endometriosis in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impact of hemostatic techniques used in endometrioma surgery on ovarian function
By Demet Candaş Green
This publication reports on an ongoing clinical trial that aims to assess whether the hemostatic techniques (methods to stop bleeding) used in ovarian endometrioma surgery have damaging effects on ovarian function. The clinical trial stemmed from a multitude of inconclusive…
Key Points Lay Summary
Not a malignancy, it is "polypoid endometriosis"
By Irem Onur
Ghafoor S. et al., from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, USA, has recently reported a case of a 60-year-old postmenopausal woman with an incidental pelvic mass mimicking a pelvic malignancy on ultrasound. Their paper has been published in the…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
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
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
A miniaturized version of endometrium: organoids for endometriosis research
By Yu Yu
Organoids are a miniaturized version of a tissue that is produced in culture through three dimensions techniques in order to better mimic the tissues of origin. These cultures are supposed to better replicate the complexity of a biological organ/disease. Endometrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
The accuracy of "lower endoscopic ultrasound" for the preoperative diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis affects reproductive-aged women most frequently with a prevalence of 5% to 15%. If the endometriotic lesions involve the bowel especially sigmoid colon and rectum, this subtype of endometriosis is named as "bowel" or "rectosigmoid" endometriosis. Rectosigmoid endometriosis is encountered in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Plausible biomarkers for noninvasive endometriosis diagnosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent benign gynecological disease characterizing ectopic deposition of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. It affects about 10% of reproductive-aged women and causes enormous negative impacts on the quality of lives. However, we do not have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nanotechnology as a tool for targeted therapy of endometriosis
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
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis affects 10% of women in their reproductive period and causes infertility around 40% of women who have the disease. Peritoneal fluid may be one of the factors to facilitate the spread of endometriosis to ovaries, peritoneum and other deep…
Key Points Lay Summary
Mortality of 49956 midlife women with surgically verified endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Saavalainen L. et al., from Finland recently published a retrospective large cohort study in the journal Human Reproduction, where they retrospectively examined the data of surgically verified endometriosis patients to find out if all-cause and the cause-specific mortality rate is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which Diagnosis Technique is Better?
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
Pregnancy with endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Current literature suggests that complications of endometriosis during pregnancy are rare; however, a non-negligible increase in the likelihood of placenta accreta (placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall), preterm birth, and cesarean delivery has been reported. With the increase…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Deniz KocasPrescription Opioid Use in Women With Endometriosis
By Deniz Kocas
In this study, researchers examined opioid use, opioid prescribing patterns, and timing of the first opioid prescription in endometriosis patients compared with matched women in the control group without endometriosis. A retrospective analysis of Optum Clinformatics Data Mart was conducted.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Early Developmental Gene May Play a Role in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
An early developmental gene called twist may encourage the connective tissue cells of the lining of the uterus to change from being epithelial to being mesenchymal, so-called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mesenchymal cells play important roles in biological processes…
Key Points Lay Summary
Infertility in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. The most common presenting complaints are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Despite extensive research, the etiopathogenic mechanism underlying the two has not been fully elucidated. Although human…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Effect of Imbalanced Progesterone Receptors-A/B on Gelatinase Expressions in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a benign disease which affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and is one of the most common reasons for infertility. Though the underlying mechanisms of disease progression have not been clearly understood, it develops as a consequence of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fusion US/MR imaging in the evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Timur Seckin
Scioscia M. et al., from Italy presented a case of a large deep infiltrating nodule of the uterosacral ligament and discussed the importance of a relatively new technique, fusion US/MR imaging in their article. The article containing a video of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis that involves the nerves: how Radiologists can help
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease with variable clinical symptoms. While rare, nerve involvement by endometriosis may cause neurologic symptoms such as pelvic pain, muscle weakness, bowel and bladder incontinence, and paraplegia depending on the specific nerve involved. Thus, abdominal radiologists should…
Key Points Lay Summary
A position statement of diagnosing and treating endometriosis for gynecologists.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis Treatment Italian Group recently declared 10 "valuable" conducts to evaluate endometriotic patients and published them in Hum. Reprod. Open. This society consists of 16 university departments and training center with expert clinicians on endometriosis from Italy. After arising the idea of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Botox as a promising treatment for chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Botulinum toxin (Botox) for treating chronic pelvic pain specifically addressing women with endometriosis has been studied for the first time by Tandon et al., from Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Their paper has recently been published in the journal Regional Anesthesia &…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Health care resource utilization and cost in women with endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 6-10% of reproductive-aged women. The clinical picture of the disease range from asymptomatic findings to dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Endometriosis has also complex etiopathogenetic background. This broad clinical spectrum, the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Endometriosis: Comorbid Conditions
By Irem Onur
In the study of Dr. Boneva et al., from Atlanta, GA, the United States which has recently been published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics evaluated the impact of endometriosis on the health of women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The authors compared…
Key Points Lay Summary
A study about adnexial torsion doubts in patients with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometrioma is the presence of endometriosis cysts in the ovary, and is one of the most common forms of endometriosis, with unknown pathophysiology. Adnexal torsion results in twisting ovarian tissues resulting in a decreased blood flow. The causes for adnexal torsion due…
Key Points Lay Summary
Patients with Pelvic Pain Most Likely to Benefit from Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
Women who experience higher levels of pain are more likely to show improvement in their quality of life (QoL) following endometriosis surgery, according to a study published in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Chronic pelvic pain seems to be…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgical treatment of deeply infiltrating endometriosis in tertiary treatment centers
By Demet Candaş Green
In the present study, data from patients who were surgically treated for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in a tertiary referral unit, the Avicenna Centre for Endometriosis and Minimally Invasive Gynecology (ACEMIG, Tehran, Iran), were examined for rates of intraoperative and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The predictors for the coexistence of uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Uterine leiomyomas are the most common gynecological benign tumors affecting 20-25% of reproductive-aged women. Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, and infertility are major symptoms of these tumors. Endometriosis is another gynecological disease encountered in 10-15% of reproductive-aged women. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Control on endometriosis progression by a "tyrosine kinase inhibitor"
By Irem Onur
B cells, which are important players of the immune system, are increased in the blood and peritoneal cavity of endometriosis patients. Activation of B cells and the presence of anti-endometrial autoantibodies have been also been described in women with endometriosis,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal Ultrasound and the Imaging of Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Ultrasonography (US) is an imaging tool that uses sound waves to produce a two-dimensional picture inside of the body. The ultrasonography has become especially useful in the assessment of gynecologic pathologies such as endometriosis. Depending on the severity of endometriosis,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Importance of monocytic myeloid derived supressor cells in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells MDSCs are immature myeloid cells that play a major role in immunosuppression in various disease processes. Ya Sun and associates have investigated these cells in endometriosis utilizing various laboratory methods. published their results in the "American Journal of…
Key Points Lay Summary
"Endometriosis", "Fibromyalgia" and "Autoimmune diseases"
By Irem Onur
Greenbaum et al. from Israel, investigated the prevalence of and the association between endometriosis, fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases in a large population database and described healthcare resource utilization in affected women. Their study has been published in the "American Journal…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Baby Years and the Risk of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Early-life factors such as whether a baby was breastfed, have had vaginal bleeding at birth, or whether or not their father was a smoker may be associated with her risk of developing endometriosis in later life. This is according to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Analogous pathways of peritoneal tumor wound healing and endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis, diagnosed around 10-15% of women population in their reproductive period, is a chronically progressive inflammatory disease to cause peritoneal lesions while spreading into the abdominal cavity. The pathophysiology of the adhesions between the peritoneum and pelvic organs can be…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – yet another environmental factor associated with endometriosis?
By Demet Candaş Green
This study by Wen et al., published in Gynecological Endocrinology, analyzed evidence connecting endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to the incidence of endometriosis in a collection of 30 previously published studies. Results show that exposure to many EDC's are linked to the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urocortin: A biomarker deserving investigation for endometriosis patients
By Irem Onur
Urocortin is a neuropeptide in the corticotropin-releasing hormone family and is expressed by eutopic and ectopic human endometria. Since it has paracrine and immunomodulatory effects, urocortin is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Its expression has been thoroughly…
Key Points Lay Summary
The coelomic metaplasia hypothesis of endometriosis in MRKH cases
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity and its incidence is approximately 10% in the general female population. Although the pathophysiological mechanism is not clearly understood, the implantation theory by Sampson…
Key Points Lay Summary
ENDORECT scoring system to identify patients at risk for rectosigmoid endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Patients who suffer from endometriosis may benefit from a preoperative score that predicts rectosigmoid involvement. A recent paper published by Huchon et al. at Poissy Saint-Germain en Laye, France, recruited 119 women who underwent laparoscopy for endometriosis between 2011 and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis pathophysiology: research in genes updated
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Endometriosis has a broad spectrum of environmental influences and genetic factors. I In this recently published review article in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, Vassilopoulou and associates present information about gene‑gene and gene‑environment interactions involved in endometriosis and discuss the effectiveness…
Key Points Lay Summary
Novel inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a chronic benign disease which is estrogen-dependent. Estradiol creates a positive feedback loop with the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators, which sustains further disease establishment and causes the pain symptoms. However, hormone therapies do not cure definitively endometriosis, because…
Key Points Lay Summary
Searching new biomarkers for endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
This recent article published in Advances in Clinical Chemistry, is an overall summary of characteristics, physiopathological theories, diagnostic approaches and variety of biomarkers to diagnose endometriosis and penned by Coutinho et al. from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Belo Horizonte,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association of significant hemoperitoneum (blood in the abdominal cavity) and deep pelvic endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Although there are several theories to explain the etiology of deep endometriosis, the cause is unknown and there are currently no effective strategies to prevent its development. Bean E. et al., from University College London Hospital, UK, observed that some…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Wnt/b-catenin signaling in endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a very common gynecological disorder, which affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women, and is one of the most common reasons for infertility. The normal endometrium undergoes cyclical remodeling under control of sex hormones secreted by ovaries- estrogen and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Non‑invasive biomarkers for endometriosis diagnosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease of women in reproductive age and its incidence varies between 5-10%. Since the diagnosis is based on the histological confirmation, there is an average of 7 to 11 years of delays in the diagnosis. Promising non-invasive…
Key Points Lay Summary
The reason for lower BMI and less body fat in women with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Zolbin et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA, recently published the results of their prospective controlled research on adipocyte alterations in endometriosis, in the journal "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology". Endometriosis can…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fibrogenesis in endometriosis: The role of neuropeptides
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a debilitating gynaecologic disease affecting 6–10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriotic lesions are known to be hyperinnervated due to neurogenesis resulting from neutrophins secreted by endometriotic lesions and possibly platelets. These neutrophins seem to preferentially favor the…
Key Points Lay Summary
New findings in adenomyosis (endometriosis interna) patients with potential theraupetic research implications
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
By Serdar BalciPathophysiology of peritoneal endometriosis pain.
By Serdar Balci
This article is an invited editorial by Ferrero S et.al. from IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, published in the Annals of Translational Medicine. The authors describe the pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms of pain in peritoneal endometriosis with reference to the…
Key Points Lay Summary
The genetic predisposition to endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Although endometrium is a non-malignant disease, its symptoms can range from mild to severe due to the inflammation that ectopic endometrial tissue forms around itself. The exact etiopathogenetic mechanism…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new hope for a "targeted" drug for endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Lin et al. from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, recently published in"Theranostics" the article entitled "Targeting Anthrax Toxin Receptor 2 Ameliorates Endometriosis Progression”, report that ANTRX2 may be a novel therapeutic target for endometriosis. Thinking that the adhesion should be the first and the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anti-angiogenic treatment for endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder. The wide variety of surgical and medical treatment has been applied for treating endometriosis, but a definitive therapy has not been achieved so far. Thus, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. Among…
Key Points Lay Summary
Plasma Energy for Ovarian Endometriomas
By Timur Seckin
There are many different approaches used in the management of ovarian endometriomas such as stripping cystectomy, ablation, including electrical/thermal and CO2 laser ablation, fenestration/aspiration, and combined techniques. Plasma energy is a new promising treatment option for ovarian endometrioma and may be…
Key Points Lay Summary
Proposed algorithm for a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis.
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
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
Endometrial single cells to contribute preexisting endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease. This disease affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and 20% to 50% of infertile women. Multiple hypotheses have been proposed for the origin of endometriosis. Retrograde menstruation is believed to take part by the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Reducing the Risk of Recurrence After Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
The use of compounds called NF-κB inhibitors and β-blockers before and after endometriosis surgery may reduce the risk of the disease recurring, according to a study conducted in a mouse model. According to the study published in the journal Reproductive…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antibiotic therapy for endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Current treatments for endometriosis are surgery and hormone therapy; however, these approaches may have significant side effects and do not prevent a recurrence. Therefore, alternative treatment modalities for endometriosis is needed. Recently, the idea that endometriosis may be influenced by…
Key Points Lay Summary
The postoperative functional outcomes of deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Rectosigmoid endometriosis is defined as the infiltration of the bowel wall with the endometrial-like glands and stroma, reaching at least the muscular layer. The most commonly involved sites are the rectum and sigmoid colon. For the management of deep infiltrating…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new trial to reduce the failure of IVF/ICS protocols in severe endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Kong et al., from the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University, China, recently published this single-blinded, a multicentered and randomized controlled study in the Journal of Reproductive Health, with the aim to find a safer and more effective ovulation induction regimen for patients with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and nuclear receptors
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Zhuo Ouyang and associates from the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China have recently published their research related to adhesion molecules in "Medicine (Baltimore)". Endometriosis is a “benign gynecological disease with some similarities to cancer”. Adhesion molecules E-cadherin and hScrib…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bladder Endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Bladder endometriosis is rare – about 1-2% of women with endometriosis may have endometrial lesions in their urinary tract. Diagnosis of bladder endometriosis is difficult because of its nonspecific symptoms such as frequent urination, pelvic pain, and burning sensation when…
Key Points Lay Summary
The coexistence deep infiltrating endometriosis and fibromyalgia
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The main symptoms of endometriosis which are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain impair the quality of life of these women. This disease may…
Key Points Lay Summary
MRI-based "ENZIAN" scoring system and intra-operative endometriosis findings
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease whereby endometrial-like glands grow and invade the extra-uterine structures. Endometriosis may affect various parts of the body, including the peritoneum, ovaries, or retroperitoneum. Recently, non-invasive methods for detecting these lesions have included trans-vaginal ultrasound…
Key Points Lay Summary
Epithelial Mutations in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
A substantial body of epidemiologic evidence suggests a link between endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer, but a plausible underlying mechanism has remained elusive. Here, Dr. Bulun group from Northwestern University provide a focused review of the literature and discuss the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antimullerian Hormone, endometrioma and ovarian reserve
By Selma Oransay
Younis et al. from Baruch-Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel, designed a review study on ovarian reserve alterations before and after endometrioma surgery that recently documented in "Human Reproduction Update". The authors examined the electronic databases of articles published between January…
Key Points Lay Summary
A highly sensitive Immunohistochemical Marker for Stromal Cells in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Endometriosis is diagnosed histopathologically by the presence of endometrium-like tissues outside the uterus. Positive CD10 immunohistochemistry, highlighting stromal cells of the endometrium, is a useful adjunct for pathologists in the tissue diagnosis. However, CD10 expression is not specific to endometrial stromal…
Key Points Lay Summary
A guide on the Assessment of Pelvic Endometriosis Imaging
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby ectopic endometrial-like tissue invades and survives outside of the endometrial cavity. While biopsy-proven confirmation of endometriosis during laparoscopy has been considered the gold standard for diagnosis, non-invasive imaging modalities are increasingly being utilized for preoperative…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can early-life exposures affect endometriosis development later in life?
By Demet Candaş Green
Endometriosis is a complex disease with possible multifactor contributors. So far, inflammatory, immunogenic, genetic, and environmental factors have all been associated with endometriosis. In addition, it is possible that different types of endometriosis lesions – peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating…
Key Points Lay Summary
Choosing the Right Technique for Deep Colorectal Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic condition, histologically defined by the presence of ectopic endometrium outside the endometrial cavity. Three clinical presentations of endometriosis have been described and could coexist in the pelvis: peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, and deep infiltrating endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian stimulation regimes: Concerns on progression or recurrence of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Somigliana et al., from the University of Milan, Italy, performed a literature review to predict the endometriosis-enhancing effect of ART regimes on infertile women and reported their results in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. Their points of interest were increasing dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pain and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Impact of Endometriosis-Related Adhesions on Quality of Life among Infertile Women
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is considered the most common cause of pelvic adhesions in women. It is considered one of the main underlying causes of the development of adhesions. Adhesions are bands of connective tissue, which connect two different tissues that are normally…
Key Points Lay Summary
Menstrual blood-derived stem cells
By Selma Oransay
Chen et al. from the Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of İnfectious Disease, Zhejiang University, China penned this recent review in the Journal of Stem Cell Research Therapy which is presenting the clinical potential of MenSCs (Menstrual blood-derived stem cells). …
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis involving the superficial peritoneum in Adolescents: Surgical Management
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a chronic disease whereby endometrial glands and stroma grow and survive outside of the uterus. In some cases, endometriosis may become symptomatic and cause debilitating, chronic pelvic pain. Among pelvic organ and other surfaces that endometriosis can involve…
Key Points Lay Summary
Polymorphisms of STAT4 gene in the pathogenesis of endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases in reproductive-age women characterized by the occurrence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Researchers have put forward numerous hypotheses to explain ectopic endometrial tissue, and the bulk of the evidence…
Key Points Lay Summary
The appearance of postoperative endometriosis by imaging methods
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease mostly encountered in reproductive-aged women. Endometriosis can occur in three different entities: peritoneal, ovarian and deep endometriosis. Golden standard diagnosis is made by histopathological examination of surgical material after laparoscopic surgery in women with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and infertility: current concepts
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Hungarian and US scientists have published a comprehensive review on infertility related to endometriosis in Frontiers in Endocrinology, November 2018 issue. Endometriosis is a common entity in women of reproductive age which often leads to infertility. Compiled research data reveal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Gal-3 can be a pharmacological target in endometriosis treatment
By Demet Candaş Green
Galectins are known to play a significant role in angiogenesis, which is a key event contributing to the development of many disease conditions, one of which is endometriosis. Past studies, upon examining several human endometriotic lesions, showed that Galectin-3 (Gal-3)…
Key Points Lay Summary
Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer
By Selma Oransay
Andersen et al. published a prospective cohort study in the Journal of Hormones and Cancer to enlighten the estrogen signaling pathway during the transition from endometriosis to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Given the shared pathway of endometriosis and ovarian cancer as…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immunologic Disorder in the Progression of Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis becomes increasingly a health-social problem. However, definite diagnostic biomarkers and more effective treatments for endometriosis are still missing to this day. Many researchers focus on the peritoneal microenvironment of patients with endometriosis, especially the immunological microenvironment. Recently, Jørgensen et…
Key Points Lay Summary
The miscarriage rate in women with endometriosis undergoing IVF fresh cycles
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disease diagnosed in 25-40% of women with infertility. There are several mechanisms explaining the negative impacts of endometriosis on fertility through the entire reproductive process such as sperm-oocyte interaction, ovarian reserve, and implantation. Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
A link between endometrioid ovarian carcinoma and endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Ciavattini et al.from Polytechnic University Ancona, Italy create a pilot study which recently published in Oncology Letters to clarify the link between endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer. The unfolded protein response (UPR) activity as a promoter of neoplastic progression of malignancies is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long non‐coding RNA, Epithelial mesenchymal transition, and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen‐dependent inflammatory gynecologic disease and requires attention. However, an in‐depth understanding of the latent pathogenesis of endometriosis development and its new innovative therapeutics are urgently needed. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to the special biological process of epithelial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which comes first in endometriosis management: In vitro fertilization or surgery?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be 7%–10%, but among infertile women, it increases up to 50%. Early diagnosis and personalized management are important to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Self-management of endometriosis symptoms: from Australia
By Demet Candaş Green
Effective self-management techniques and lifestyle changes may play an important role in the management of endometriosis symptoms by many women. Due to various reasons such as limited effectiveness of some medications, potential side effects, availability of medical resources, self-desire to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Priorities and Unmet Needs of Endometriosis Management
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a systemic, chronic disease that is a significant contributor to morbidity in young women. Although endometriosis has gained increasing attention in the medical field, scientific progress for an effective and definitive treatment modality is progressing slowly. The Society…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma, Fertility, and Assisted Reproduction
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis can negatively impact a woman’s health and quality of life. Surgery has been considered the primary treatment to overcome infertility in cases of ovarian endometrioma. Patients struggling with endometriosis often pursue assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to fertility issues.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
The association between the development of endometriosis and dietary habits
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be approximately 10% in the general population. Endometriosis is associated with infertility, pelvic pain, and increased…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Signs and Symptoms on Transvaginal Ultrasound associated with the presence of endometriosis.
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby ectopic endometrial cells are present outside of the uterus. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is a highly specific test for endometriomas and deep endometriosis to assess the involvement of endometriosis in the posterior anatomic compartments. While the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exosome: a new avenue for endometriosis research
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-aged women. The pathophysiology of this disease remains mysterious, with a lack of effective biomarkers necessitating surgical intervention for diagnosis. This creates an urgent need for accurate noninvasive diagnostic tests and the identification of effective therapeutic…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Can we prevent the progression of endometriosis?
By Selma Oransay
Torres-Reveron et al. from the University of Texas, USA, planned this prospective laboratory research on female rats to assay the reduce on the progression of endometriosis and recently published the results in PloS One. At first, endometriosis was induced in female rats…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and female pelvic pain in all aspects
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence of the disease ranges between 6-10% in reproductive-aged women. However, endometriosis is more frequently encountered in women with chronic pelvic pain and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The relationship between periodontal disease and endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Thomas et al. have recently studied the association between endometriosis and periodontal disease which may share a common pathogenesis, and have published it in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences. The authors screened a total of50 women; 25 with and 25…
Key Points Lay Summary
Clonal Proliferation and Cancer Associated Mutations in normal uterine endometrium and endometriosis
By Serdar Balci
Suda et. al., from Niigata University, Japan, has published the article entitled "Clonal Expansion and Diversification of Cancer-Associated Mutations in Endometriosis and Normal Endometrium" in Cell Reports. There are many theories for endometriosis development (retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, Müllerian remnants),…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vaginal Sexual Intercourse during Menstruation
By Irem Onur
Mazokopakis and Samonis from Greece examined and discussed the vaginal sexual intercourse during menstruation from a biblical as well as a modern medical point of view in their paper published in MAEDICA – a Journal of Clinical Medicine in September 2018.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Somatic mutations in iatrogenic endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Lac and al., from the Department of Molecular Oncology in BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, Canada, planned a retrospective and multinational research to investigate the prevalence of somatic cancer-driver mutations in incisional endometriosis and recently published in the "Journal of Human Reproduction". Their…
Key Points Lay Summary
Mistletoe as a Potential Candidate for Endometriosis Treatment
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis, one of the common benign gynecologic disorders, is defined as the ectopic presence of endometrial cells outside of the uterine cavity. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, the most accepted hypothesis is that endometrial cells pass through…
Key Points Lay Summary
Surgical techniques for rectosigmoid endometriosis, and functional outcomes
By Hale Goksever Celik
Rectosigmoid endometriosis is defined as the infiltration of bowel wall with the endometrial-like glands and stroma, reaching at least the muscular layer. Rectosigmoid endometriosis is encountered in approximately 8-12% of patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis. The most commonly involved…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new theory in the pathogenesis of endometriosis
By Serdar Balci
Koninckx et. al., from various countries, have conducted this review, which will be published in Fertility and Sterility. Endometriosis is known for a century. The disease has a variable course in a patient, which may include pain, infections, and infertility.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
New scientific evidence supporting robotic surgical approach to ureteric endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Surgical treatment of ureteral endometriosis aims to relieve urinary obstruction besides preserving renal functions. In accomplishing these, the best method of surgical approach is still unclear. Andrea Giannini and her colleagues from the University of Pisa, Italy conducted a retrospective…
Key Points Lay Summary
Conservative Surgery May Be Sufficient to Halt the Development of Deep Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Deep endometriosis develops as a result of collective cell migration and nerve recruitment from surrounding organs, suggests a study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. Collective cell migration is the biological process whereby a group of cells moves…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association of endometriosis and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis is well known to cause chronic inflammation of the serosa and incite mesothelial hyperplasia. Although multilocular peritoneal inclusion cysts and well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma were reported to be associated with endometriosis, the association of malignant mesothelioma has not been reported…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is the mystery for progression of endometriosis hiding out in abnormally located endometrial cells?
By Selma Oransay
This prospective study was conducted by Hapangama et al. in Research İnstute of the University of Liverpool, UK, and the results have recently published in the Journal of Human Reproduction. The authors hypothesized that abnormally located endometrial basalis-like (SSEA1/nSOX9+)cells could be contributing to…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of circulating microRNA's in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This disease affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women and 20% to 50% of infertile women. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is an essential transcriptional regulator coordinately regulating multiple genes involved in estrogen biosynthesis. SF-1 is known…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis-associated pain control by contraceptive implant or intrauterine system
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
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?
By Serdar Balci
Endometriosis shares common risk factors with endometrial carcinoma and ovarian carcinomas such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperestrogenism, and reproductive characteristics. Endometriosis is also known to be a risk factor for gynecologic malignant tumors. In this study, Li et.al. have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Extragenital endometriosis and ultrasound
By Irem Onur
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive imaging method with no exposure to radiation. There are a few reports on the use of CEUS in the assessment of endometriosis in the literature. Dong et al. reported 3 histopathologically proven cases of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Lipophilic Statins inhibit growth and invasiveness of human endometrial cells
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease process whereby cells of the endometrium grow and invade structures outside of the uterus. Through recent research, it has been seen that endometriotic foci in women with endometriosis exhibit an altered phenotype that contributes to its…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can we Inhibit the Survival of Endometriosis?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological inflammatory disease. The current anti-estrogen therapies can be prescribed only for a short time due to the undesirable side effects on menstruation, pregnancy, bone health, and recurrence. Therefore, the development of specific therapy which targets…
Key Points Lay Summary
Pelvic pain, congenital genital tract anomalies and endometriosis
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
Further Results From the FEELING Study Published
By Özge Özkaya
Some women are more likely to develop deep infiltrating endometriosis according to the further analysis of the results of the FEELING study. These are women who: are married, are older, have siblings, have had a prior pregnancy, or for whom…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Immune dysregulation in endometriosis
By Yu Yu
The connection between endometriosis and the immune system has long been proposed. However, to date, there is no real consensus on whether immune adaptations actually facilitate endometriotric lesion progression or they are a consequence of endometriosis re-occurrence. Thus, this article…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
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
Laparoscopic mesenteric vascular and nerve sparing surgery as a tool for DIE resection
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis can be characterized by a wide range of clinical aggressiveness based upon the location, character, and growth of ectopic endometrial implants. As one of the most aggressive forms of endometriosis, deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is known to involve the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are women with histologically confirmed endometriosis satisfied with their medical support?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, dyschesia, dysuria, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and infertility, all of which affect the quality of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of "Quercetin" on endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Quercetin is a major flavonol that is mainly derived from capers and involves a daily consumption of approximately 25–50 mg through various vegetables. In recent studies, Quercetin is reported as a functional compound in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This compound…
Key Points Lay Summary
The use of Elagolix in Women with Liver and Kidney Impairments
By Özge Özkaya
Elagolix may be used in women with moderate liver impairment, when necessary, for up to six months at a dose of 150 mg a day, according to a study published in the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Progesterone Receptor Status in Endometriosis
By Serdar Balci
Some patients do not respond to progesterone hormone therapy. In this study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the authors led by Hugh S. Taylor from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences from Yale…
Key Points Lay Summary
Programmed-cell death pathway and immune dysfunction in endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, immune-associated disease. Women with endometriosis have different proportions of the activated forms of immunocompetent cells, such as T cells and macrophages compared to those from women without. Immune cell dysfunction in the uterine and abdominal cavity…
Key Points Lay Summary
Drugs targeting estrogen biosynthesis opening up new approaches to the treatment of endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Gibson et al., from the Univerity of Edinburgh, UK, take over a new interest about endometriosis occurrence and progress by endometrial tissue intracrinology in their recently online published article in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The authors summarize the last…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to predict natural conception in women underwent endometriosis surgery?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The prevalence of endometriosis increases in the infertile population. Thus, the important…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
An overlooked symptom of endometriosis: Fatigue
By Timur Seckin
A majority of endometriosis patients experience fatigue. This is according to a multicenter study conducted by a group of researchers from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Fatigue, and feeling spoonie, may be a symptom of endometriosis affecting the daily activities and…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Any adjustable risk factor for Endometriosis?
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis is believed to be estrogen and progesterone-dependent. Lifestyle factors such as alcohol/caffeine intake, smoking, and physical activity influence estrogen levels in the body and, therefore, may impact the development of endometriosis. In the study of Hemmert et al. which…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is Physical Exercise Effective in Endometriosis?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility are mostly encountered symptoms of endometriosis. Although there are several theories explaining the pathogenesis of endometriosis, the exact pathogenesis still has…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does ovarian endometrioma damage the ovarian reserve?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Ovarian endometriomas are commonly present in 17% to 44% of women with endometriosis and are often associated with infertility and pelvic pain. There are several treatment options including surgical treatment. Cyst excision is associated with better results in terms of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Four cases of endometrioid borderline ovarian tumour: case reports and literature review
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Physicians from Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, report four cases of ovarian EBTs and a review literature in a recently published manuscript at British Medical Journal, case reports. Endometrioid borderline tumors (EBTs) of the ovary are uncommon…
Key Points Lay Summary
The diagnosis and management of endometriosis in Korea
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
By Irem Onur
Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and adenomyosis, and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b are highly expressed in them. Inflammation and subsequent hyperinnervation are involved in the pathophysiology of pain generation. High levels of expression of various…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can MRI be used to detect anterior pelvic endometriotic lesions?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis is the most severe manifestation of endometriosis. It is defined as the infiltration of ectopic endometrial tissue under the peritoneum, pelvic structures, and the organ walls such as the uterosacral ligaments, colon, vagina, bladder, ureter, rectovaginal septum,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Feasibility of MRI-Transvaginal Ultrasound Imaging for Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby endometrial tissue is present outside of endometrium. A specific form of endometriosis, Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE), is characterized by endometriotic glands that invade through the endometrium and other structures in the pelvis and is associated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does deep infiltrating endometriosis affect sexual activity?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases in women of reproductive age, and pelvic pain and infertility are the most frequent complications. There are three different type of endometriosis lesions; superficial lesions, deep lesions, and ovarian cysts. In…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Kasthuri NairAutophagy, proteolysis and Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Sui et al., a group of researchers from the Qiqihar Medical University and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, recently published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. The piece titled “Expression and significance of autophagy genes LC3, Beclin1 and MMP-2 in endometriosis”…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Programmed cell death 4 suppresses endometriosis by inhibiting autophagy and NF-κB/MMP2/MMP9 signal pathway
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a kind of benign disease but shares many similar features with cancers, such as abnormal cell migration, invasion, and unrestrained growth. It has been known that some genes are expressed differentially in eutopic endometrium of EM patients compared…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anatomic distribution of endometriosis
By Irem Onur
In the study of Audebert et al. which has been published in the journal European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the anatomic distribution of endometriosis, the rate of deep infiltrating endometriosis during the various study periods, laterality of endometriosis, pelvic…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Ovarian Endometriomas and DIE affect ART outcomes
By Murat Osman
Previous studies have evaluated the impact of an ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve and its impact on the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes have controversial results. ART is a method by which a woman’s own hormones are used…
Key Points Lay Summary
Suffering in Silence
By Deniz Kocas
Although quantitative and qualitative studies have established that endometriosis has a negative impact on multiple domains of quality of life, the majority of qualitative studies to date have used focus groups and interviews. These data collection methods may limit disclosure…
Key Points Lay Summary
Maternal and fetal outcomes in women with endometriosis : A review and meta-analysis
By Selma Oransay
Lalani et al from Dept. of Obstet. and Gynecol. , University of Ottowa, Canada, recently published this systemic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in the Journal of Human Reproduction, aimed to present the difference in the maternal and fetal…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could Endometriosis-Related Infertility Be Genetic?
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers identified genetic polymorphisms or individual differences in two genes called AMA5 and KAZN among women with endometriosis who were infertile and control women who were fertile. The identification of these polymorphisms could help scientists better understand why some women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Non-assisted reproductive technology treatment: Is it effective in infertile patients with advanced endometriosis?
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
IL-37 regulates ectopic endometrial stromal cells to prevent endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis has been identified as a chronic inflammatory disease. It has been shown that in the plasma and peritoneal fluid, women with endometriosis exhibit aberrant numbers of immune cells and concentrations of cytokines and chemokines that promote a chronic inflammatory…
Key Points Lay Summary
PROPOFOL: a new combat for endometriosis?
By Selma Oransay
Feng et al, from the Department of Gynecology Weifang Medical University Hospital, Shandong, China, recently published their prospective experimental research in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. Propofol, a rapid and short-term anesthetic substance, recently has been shown to prevent cancer through inhibiting…
Key Points Lay Summary
Parametrial endometriosis: A harder form of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis is the most severe manifestation of endometriosis, affecting 20% of all patients with endometriosis. It is defined as the infiltration of ectopic endometrial tissue under the peritoneum, pelvic structures, and the organ walls such as the uterosacral…
Key Points Lay Summary
Quality of life for women with endometriosis
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
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Scientists from Milan, Italy reviewed the effects of vitamin D on the reproductive health, and in particular "endometriosis" in their article which appeared in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Vitamin D (VD), is a steroid hormone that is activated in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis involvement of the pouch of Douglas: TVUS vs pelvic exam
By Murat Osman
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can lead to a partial or complete obliteration of the pouch of Douglas (POD). POD involvement has been associated with dyschezia, deep dyspareunia, and increased infertility rates. Assessing the extent of endometriosis involvement of the cul-de-sac allows…
Key Points Lay Summary
Will I Have Complications After Endometriosis Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
The rate of complications after surgery to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis is low, confirmed a study by researchers in Germany. It is important to know whether major or minor complications following surgery are likely to develop and what the outcome…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway for the treatment of endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Dr. Matsuzaki et al. (2018) published a paper entitled ‘In vitro and in vivo effects of MK2206 and chloroquine combination therapy on endometriosis’ showing that the efficacy of MK2206, an Akt inhibitor, in combination with chloroquine for inducing autophagy in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic surgery of endometriosis through three compartments
By Selma Oransay
This case study which is published in the J. of Minimally İnvasive Gynecology is the video demonstration of Collin et al who performed the laparoscopic operation of their patient in Gynecologic Surgery Department of Strasburg Hospital University, France. 37 years old…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to preserve fertility in women with “ovarian endometriosis”?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Although there are many treatment modalities in endometriosis, optimal treatment has not been developed yet. The aim of the treatment is to reduce pain, to preserve and improve fertility and to delay recurrence. Ovarian ischemic and perfusion damage during endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Multimodality imaging and clinicopathologic assessment of abdominal wall endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Abdominal wall endometriosis is a rare clinical entity frequently diagnosed with a significant delay and easily misinterpreted despite multimodality imaging. In the study of Jaramillo-Cardoso et al. which has recently been published in the journal Abdominal Radiology, the clinical, multimodality…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
A rare location of endometriosis: Perineum
By Timur Seckin
A rare case of perineal endometriosis is reported by Dr. Ravikant, from India, and has been recently published in the "Journal of Medical Ultrasound". The patient, a 28-year-old woman with one living child, presented with a 6-month history of a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Shedding light on the fertility preservation debate in women with endometriosis: a swot analysis.
By Deniz Kocas
There is little known about fertility preservation in women with endometriosis. Researchers from France and Switzerland conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to better understand this topic. Applied to clinical problems, SWOT gives a thorough analysis of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fighting with endometriosis
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
Cosmetics and some household products could be responsible for worsening endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
A controlled clinical study recently published in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, composed by Nazir et al. from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. The study compared the blood diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) levels of fifty infertile women laparoscopically diagnosed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal ultrasound for "rectosigmoid endometriosis" diagnosis: Is bowel preparation necessary?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Rectosigmoid endometriosis is a severe form of deep endometriosis. Women having rectosigmoid endometriosis present with pain and several intestinal complains such as constipation, diarrhea, intestinal cramping, abdominal bloating, feeling of incomplete evacuation, the passage of mucus and rectal bleeding during…
Key Points Lay Summary
Toxic Pelvic Cavity and Infertility
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity and has an incidence of approximately 10% in women of reproductive age. Thus, it is an important consideration in chronic pelvic pain and infertility…
Key Points Lay Summary
Reduced pain and increased fertiliy rates after surgery for colorectal endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
This prospective cohort study which recently published in AOGS by Hudelist et al. from Oslo University, Norway is about their one hundred thirty-four laparoscopic operations of DIE cases performed between 2011 and 2016, in a tertiary center in Oslo. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
IVF Is the Best Option to Become Pregnant for Women with Severe Endometriosis, or Is It Not?
By Özge Özkaya
Treating rectal endometriosis with surgery seems to increase the chance of a woman conceiving, with most pregnancies occurring naturally. This is according to a study published in the medical journal Human Reproduction. The optimal treatment for women with severe endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma and endometriosis
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
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
Comorbidity Risks Among Women with Endometriosis
By Deniz Kocas
Evidence demonstrates that endometriosis is associated with higher rates of conditions such as ovarian and other gynecological cancers, thyroid cancer, autoimmune diseases, asthma/atopic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. However, as findings remain fragmented, there is a need to assess these associations…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis in adolescents
By Irem Onur
Dr. Mama S. T. from Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey, USA, recently has published his review on advances in the management of endometriosis in the adolescent in the journal “Current Opinion Obstetrics and Gynecology”. In adolescence, there is a…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Better Way to Diagnose Endometriosis?
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
Pain and emotion regulation predict health-related quality of life
By Deniz Kocas
Studies have established that pain in endometriosis is negatively correlated with HRQL and that endometriosis is associated with psychological problems, anxiety, depression, distress and poor coping ability. It has been observed that some mental conditions associated with endometriosis are modulated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis as a chronic disease: The benefits for the patients
By Selma Oransay
Rebecca O'Hara et al. from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, recently published their qualitative case study in the Journal "Australian Health Review", to build a National Policy about endometriosis considering as a chronic disease. In Australia, long-term complex diseases are managed…
Key Points Lay Summary
How are endometriosis patients managed clinically?
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
FDA Approves Endometriosis Pain Treatment
By Özge Özkaya
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medication for the treatment of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis, making it the first treatment to be approved in 10 years. The decision was announced in the Journal…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Balancing Act: How Endometriosis Invades the Body
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Ectopic endometrial tissues have been shown to have some features that mimic malignancy. For example, endometriosis can invade surrounding structures and attach to surfaces such…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Tool That Goes Where No One Has Gone Before
By Kasthuri Nair
Vitral et al., researchers from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, recently published a paper in the World Journal of Nuclear Medicine titled “Use of radioguided surgery in abdominal wall endometriosis: An innovative approach.” The publication focused on a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Should I Have Surgery Before Trying to Conceive?
By Özge Özkaya
The presence of rectouterine nodules is associated with a lower chance of becoming pregnant with in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a study published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. This finding is important as it can…
Key Points Lay Summary
The vaginal delivery rate of singleton term pregnancies still remains the same after total deep infiltrating endometrosis excisions
By Selma Oransay
This recently published report in the Journal of Fertility Sterility is planned as a matched case-control study, by Nirgianakanis et al. from the University of Bern, Switzerland. Authors claimed their study is the first because previous studies on pregnancy outcome after laparoscopic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Prior endometriosis surgery and the risk of pregnancy complications
By Irem Onur
Koninckx et al. discussed the association of pregnancy complications with endometriosis and endometriosis surgery in their recently published paper in the journal Fertility and Sterility. They especially mentioned about the retrospective study of Nirgianakis et al. published in the same…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Vitamin C supplementation in the patients with endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial stromal and glandular cells outside the uterine cavity. Women having endometriosis present with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Thus, infertility remains a significant problem for women with endometriosis. Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Questionnaire based evaluation of sexual life after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis
By Deniz Kocas
Researchers from Denmark note that laparoscopic surgery is being increasingly used for the treatment of endometriosis due to its safety and effectiveness. However, treatment success is often evaluated through follow-up on the experience of pain, leaving other important aspects of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Complementary treatments for endometriosis symptoms: acupuncture, exercise, electrotherapy, or yoga?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is associated with debilitating symptoms in some women including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria. There are a few therapeutic options to treat these symptoms; however, only a few studies have considered treating the pain symptoms…
Key Points Lay Summary
Coumarin based compounds found to inhibit the estradiol synthesis pathway
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue outside the endometrium. Several biochemical and molecular pathways have been researched and used to alleviate endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting key molecules involved in the menstrual cycle. This review paper by Niinivehmas…
Key Points Lay Summary
The diagnostic value of “sliding sign” and direct visualization of the bowel in rectal/rectosigmoid deep endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep endometriosis is the presence of endometrial subperitoneal implants of ≥5 mm localized in the rectum/rectosigmoid bowel, uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum, vagina and/or bladder. The most common diagnostic screening methods are the transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a new hope for the prevention of endometriotic invasions?
By Selma Oransay
This research which recently published in Biomed Research International is performed by Xiaomei et al. from Obst/Gyn, Pathology and Genetic departments of three hospitals in Changsha, CHINA. The authors planned a prospective and controlled biochemical study to specify the role…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fluorescence Guided Surgery: a New Technique to Treat Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Fluorescence-guided surgery could help differentiate recto-vaginal deep infiltrating endometriosis nodules (RVDIEN) from healthy rectal tissue and remove them successfully without perforating the rectum, according to a study published in the scientific journal Surgical Innovation. The method could offer a better,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of peritoneal washings in the diagnosis of endometriosis
By Irem Onur
Endometriosis is a common entity seen in the gynecologic tract and pelvic surfaces. It may be frequently asymptomatic and/or undiagnosed at the time of gynecologic surgery. Pathologists diagnose endometriosis based on the presence of at least two of the following elements: endometrial glands,…
Key Points Lay Summary
“Free butterflies will come out of these deep wounds”: A grounded theory of how endometriosis affects women’s psychological health
By Deniz Kocas
Researchers from the Catholic University of Milan and the University of Milan note in Journal of Health Psychology that although qualitative research describes the negative impact of endometriosis on quality of life and psychological well-being, studies that analyze individual differences…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to improve the current ASRM classification of endometriosis?
By Selma Oransay
In this article which recently published in Best Practice&Research Clinical Obst&Gyn. from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Andres et al. penned a review of the classification of endometriosis in chronological order, and discussed the limitations of existing classification systems to…
Key Points Lay Summary
CARD10 and CARD11 Mutations: Another Piece of the Puzzle
By Kasthuri Nair
Zou et al., a research group from China, recently published a study titled “Analysis of CARD10 and CARD11 somatic mutations in patients with ovarian endometriosis” in Oncology Letters. The paper looked at the effects of caspase recruitment domain family member…
Key Points Lay Summary
Oxidative Stress and Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue outside the endometrium and is associated with a background of a chronic inflammation. Recent studies have aimed to elucidate the inflammatory mediators involved in endometriotic lesions by studying immune cell interactions,…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Impact of coping strategies on quality of life of adolescents and young women with endometriosis.
By Deniz Kocas
González-Echevarría et al. report in J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. that symptoms caused by endometriosis have been found to be associated with negative quality of life (QoL) in women with endometriosis and the type of coping strategies adopted by patients have been shown…
Key Points Lay Summary
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?
By Özge Özkaya
Melatonin blocks cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in both normal and endometriotic epithelial cells, according to a study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. Melatonin could, therefore, be a potential treatment for endometriosis The formation and progression…
Key Points Lay Summary
Health-related quality of life in women with Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
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
Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome (TES): Diagnosis by cytology of pleural effusion
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Parikshaa Gupta and colleagues from Chandigarh, India report a case of thoracic endometriosis diagnosed primarily by pleural fluid cytology in a most recent article at Cytopathology. A 33-year-old female presented with a long history of recurrent bouts of chest pain…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are diseases of the same spectrum which have common features and coexist in some but not all patients. Both diseases are characterized by endometrial implants outside of the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is defined as the localization of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Polymorphism of IL12B May Help Solve Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Zhao et al. recently published a paper titled “A functional promoter polymorphism in interleukin 12B gene is associated with an increased risk of ovarian endometriosis” in Gene. The research group from Hebei Medical University wanted to explore the potential roles…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Doctor's Guide to Making Endometriosis Less Scary
By Kasthuri Nair
Canis, Bourdel, and Chauvet, doctors from CHU Estaing, recently published an article titled “Endometriosis: frightening the patients is not an acceptable alternative to inadequate surgical management and or pathophysiology ignorance” in Fertility and Sterility. Their paper delineated proper health practices…
Key Points Lay Summary
Personalised Medicine for Endometriosis?
By Özge Özkaya
The lining of the uterus of women with endometriosis is different from that of women without the disease even if they have chronic pelvic pain found a study published in the scientific journal Biology of Reproduction. The difference is found…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a definitive guideline for the surgical management of endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is defined by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Unfortunately, endometriosis continues to be a leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. This article titled,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Predictors of psychological distress
By Deniz Kocas
Studies have now established that endometriosis can negatively impact mental health and quality of life, however, some studies show that not all women with endometriosis are necessarily more distressed than healthy women. This suggests that individual differences may explain women’s’…
Key Points Lay Summary
Key to Understanding Ovarian Endometriosis may lay in the Peptides
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
How do adolescent girls and boys perceive symptoms suggestive of endometriosis among their peers?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis, a chronic condition characterized by cells similar to the uterine lining that exist outside of the uterus, is estimated to impact 10% of women of reproductive age. In the USA, that approximates to some 7.4 million women. Endometriosis has…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inflammatory molecules promote the migration and invasion of endometriosis cells
By Yu Yu
Increasing scientific evidence has shown that the immune and inflammatory mechanisms play a central role in the progression of endometriosis by allowing a permissive environment that allows migration, adhesion, proliferation, and invasion of endometrial cells in ectopic regions of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
What is being done to help surgeons detect endometriosis during laparoscopy
By Murat Osman
The gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis is diagnostic laparoscopy and histologic confirmation. During laparoscopy, visualization of as many lesions as possible may hold better long-term clinical outcomes. Peritoneal endometriosis is difficult to diagnose intraoperatively due to the heterogeneity…
Key Points Lay Summary
Effectiveness of the Endometriosis Symptom Diary
By Kasthuri Nair
Seitz et al., a research group from Bayer AG and the University of Giessen, recently published an article titled “Patterns of missing data in the use of the endometriosis symptom diary” in BMC Women's Health. The authors were analyzing data…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The comparison of Chinese women in terms of risk factors, genetics and treatment of endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial implants outside of the uterine cavity. There is a wide spectrum of symptoms of this disease including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, extragenital symptoms. The pathogenesis of endometriosis appears to be multifactorial, including ectopic endometrial…
Key Points Lay Summary
Link Between Type of Endometriosis and Cancer
By Özge Özkaya
The type of endometriosis a woman has could determine her risk of gynecologic cancer, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. This is important because it means that those women who are at a higher risk…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Pain cognition and pain intensity are negatively associated with health-related quality of life
By Deniz Kocas
Pain is a personal experience and is different for every individual. Catastrophizing, fear of pain, and hypervigilance to pain are important factors that contribute to pain perception. These factors are described as pain cognition and refer to the negative appraisal…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
New Target for Endometriosis Treatment?
By Özge Özkaya
NR4A1 could be a novel target for the treatment of endometriosis, according to a study published in the scientific journal Cell Physiology and Biochemistry. NR4A1 is a receptor protein involved in cell division, inflammation, and programmed cell death. The development…
Key Points Lay Summary
A prospective cohort study examining meat and fish consumption and endometriosis risk.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent, gynecologic condition with a prevalence of ~10% in women of reproductive age. There has been an increased interest in the identification of modifiable risk factors for endometriosis including diet. Diet may influence endometriosis risk through…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Endometriosis in a Man as a Rare Source of Abdominal Pain
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis occurs when a tissue resembling endometrial glands and stroma grows in ectopic sites, commonly causing infertility and pain. Endometriosis has largely been found in women of reproductive age. However, in extremely rare cases, it is also found in men…
Key Points Lay Summary
Patient-centered endometriosis care
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as endometrial glands and stroma that exist outside the uterine cavity. Ectopic endometrial tissue and resultant inflammation can cause dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pain, and infertility, all of which reduce the quality of life. The aim of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
A clearer picture of "endometriosis after menopause"
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
How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Our Understanding of the Genes Associated with Endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the development of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. A number of studies have shown that endometriosis could have a genetic basis and numerous genes have been studied and proposed to help explain its pathogenesis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Psychosocial impact of endometriosis
By Deniz Kocas
In this review article, researchers from Switzerland report a review to outline the consequences of endometriosis on the psychological, sexual, and interpersonal functioning of both patients and their partners, in the journal Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Therapeutic strategies involving uterine stem cells in reproductive medicine
By Murat Osman
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that often serve to regenerate tissue in states of injury or apoptosis. The endometrium has progenitor cells that replace tissue lost after each menstrual cycle. It has been postulated that excessive stem cell recruitment to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Abnormal Regulation of Pathways Seen in Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Sikora et al., a team from the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, published a study in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics titled “The role of complement components C1q, MBL and C1 inhibitor in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.” It has been said that complement system…
Key Points Lay Summary
Stenoses in the colorectal anastomose sites after DIE surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a particular form of endometriosis that penetrates at least 5 mm under the peritoneal surface. DIE is primarily located in the rectosigmoid junction and the rectum with an incidence of 70% and 90%, respectively. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Way to Better Diagnose Colorectal Endometriosis
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
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
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Impairs Sexual Function
By Kasthuri Nair
Lima et al., a group of scientists from Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual in Brazil, recently published an article entitled “Female Sexual Function in Women with Suspected Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis” in Revista Brasileira De Ginecologia E Obstetricia. The paper analyzed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Emerging medical treatments for endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby uterine tissue grows outside the walls of the uterus to the surfaces of other tissues in the body. It is a chronic disease and relies upon estrogen to grow and survive. Current medical therapies take…
Key Points Lay Summary
Role of GATA6 in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers discovered that a protein called GATA6 is crucial in turning endometrial stromal cells into endometriotic-like cells, which may be capable of invading surrounding tissues and growing outside the uterus. This knowledge can be used to create cell models that…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is the Endometriosis Fertility Index Reliable?
By Kasthuri Nair
Zhang et al. recently published a paper titled “Prediction of Endometriosis Fertility Index in patients with endometriosis-associated infertility after laparoscopic treatment” in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The research group from the West China Second University Hospital in Sichuan University wanted to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could Endometriosis Be Caused by Bacteria?
By Özge Özkaya
A new concept called the bacterial contamination hypothesis in endometriosis has been proposed for the first time by researchers in Japan. This means that new potential therapies approaches could exist for this condition in addition to the conventional estrogen-suppressing therapies.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exosomal miR-214 from endometrial stromal cells inhibits endometriosis fibrosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Fibrosis is an important pathological feature of endometriosis. Novel therapies targeting the mechanisms of fibrosis in endometriosis are indispensable for the development of strategies to prevent and treat endometriosis. Previous microarray studies have detected some miRNAs that are aberrantly expressed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Extending the Female Fertility Clock
By Kasthuri Nair
Varela, Sanchez-de-Puerta, and Garcia-Velasco are a group of scientists from various institutions in Spain and they recently published a review article titled “Fertility, IVF and reproductive genetics” in Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this publication, the authors discussed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome : A case report describing endometriosis involvement of the lung
By Murat Osman
Leonardo-Pinto and authors from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, have recently published a case report titled, "Hemoptysis and Endometriosis: An Unusual Association - Case Report and Review of the Literature" in the Journal, Revista Brasileira De Ginecologia E Obstetricia describing a…
Key Points Lay Summary
S100A6 May be a Promising Target for Endometriosis Treatments
By Kasthuri Nair
Peng et al., a group primarily from the Zhejiang University Medical College, recently published a paper in Gynecological Endocrinology titled “Upregulation of S100A6 in patients with endometriosis and its role in ectopic endometrial stromal cells.” This paper delineates a study…
Key Points Lay Summary
HOXA10: A Culprit in Endometriosis Disease Progression
By Kasthuri Nair
Zheng et al., a group of authors from the Aerospace Center Hospital in Bejing and from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, recently published a paper in Reproductive Sciences entitled “Decreased Expression of HOXA10 May Activate the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis surgery and preservation of fertility, what surgeons should know
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis can involve most of the pelvic organs including the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes and thus has the potential to cause infertility. This article titled, “Endometriosis surgery and preservation of fertility, what surgeons should know” written by H. Roman…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
No Link Found Between Vitamin D and Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Buggio et al., a group of scientists from the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Universita` degli Studi in Milan, recently published a paper in the Reproductive Sciences titled “25-Hydroxyvitamin D Serum Levels and Endometriosis: Results of a Case-Control Study.” The publication sought…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis From an Epigenetic Lens
By Kasthuri Nair
Samadieh et al. from the Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, recently published an article in Reproductive Sciences titled “Epigenetic Dynamics of HOXA10 Gene in Infertile Women With Endometriosis.” In this paper, the researchers wanted to observe HOXA10 gene expression in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Direct shedding of endometrioma contents visualized by ultrasonography
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain in women during their childbearing years. Researchers from Italy have recently published a case report in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology observing the direct shedding of endometriotic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exercise can improve pelvic pain and posture associated with endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Nearly half of women affected by endometriosis have mild to severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Clinically, postural changes are frequently seen in CPP sufferers. These postural changes can include uneven positions, shortenings, antalgic postures, and tensions. Moreover, endometriosis is also…
Key Points Lay Summary
Treatment of Endometriosis in Adolescents
By Özge Özkaya
Most women with endometriosis who have been treated with Lupron plus add back as adolescents felt the treatment was effective in reducing the pain caused by the condition, according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent…
Key Points Lay Summary
Picture This: 8K UHD Television System for Endometriosis Surgery
By Kasthuri Nair
This case report by Aoki et al. was published in the journal "Videosurgery and Other Miniinvasive Techniques" under the title “Effect of an 8K ultra-high-definition television system in a case of laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.” In this publication, the authors delineated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Using the "Mushroom Cap" sign to describe endometriotic masses
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby ectopic endometrial cells attach and grow outside of the uterus. A number of imaging techniques have been used to evaluate and assess endometriotic lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging modality used…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endocrine and inflammatory factors in current understanding of endometriosis
By Yu Yu
There are three forms of endometriosis: peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating. All three forms consist of endometriotic lesions containing endometrial glands, stroma, nerves, blood vessels, and inflammatory cells. Endometriosis symptoms can be accounted by these elements and the involving organs.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adolescents with Endometriosis are More Susceptible to Migraines
By Kasthuri Nair
Miller et al. recently published an article titled “The prevalence of migraines in adolescents with endometriosis” in Fertility and Sterility. The main purpose of the study was to determine if adolescents with endometriosis experience more migraines than those without endometriosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial stem cells and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Human endometrium is a cyclically proliferative tissue, and this monthly regeneration is likely mediated by endometrial stem (or progenitor) cells.The upper functional layer of the endometrium breaks down and is shed into the uterine cavity during menstruation. Re-epithelialization and repair…
Key Points Lay Summary
Independent development of endometrial epithelium and stroma within the same endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain in women during their childbearing years. A popular theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis posits that circulating progenitor cells differentiate into the endometrial stroma and glandular tissue once they…
Key Points Lay Summary
An Unusual Case "Free Floating Omental Endometrioma"
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 use of histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Histone deacetylase inhibitors prevent the deacetylation of specific gene sequences thereby allowing the increased transcription of certain genes. Trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been seen to induce the expression of a pro-apoptotic gene called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene…
Key Points Lay Summary
Enhanced UGT1A1 Gene and Protein Expression in Endometriotic Lesions.
By Dr. Youngran Park
The estrogen plays an essential role in endometriosis. Lately, it is becoming evident that, besides the circulating levels of estrogens, the balance of synthesis versus inactivation (metabolism) of estrogens by intralesional steroid-metabolizing enzymes also determines the local net estrogen availability.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Recurrence of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Yu Yu
There are mainly three types of endometriotic lesions. These are ovarian endometriosis, superficial peritoneal endometriosis, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The latter is often described as a lesion with greater than 5 mm invasion of the peritoneal surface. DIE lesions…
Key Points Lay Summary
A How-To Guide for Endometriosis Surgery
By Kasthuri Nair
The European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), ESHRE, and the World Endometriosis Society (WES) recently published a document titled “Recommendations for the surgical treatment of endometriosis—part 1: ovarian endometriomas.” This publication provides surgeons with recommendations for the technical aspects of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?
By Özge Özkaya
Infertility may be related to the localization of endometriosis involvement according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This finding is in agreement with the results of previous studies and could help clinicians in their decision…
Key Points Lay Summary
A review on the role of immune cells on the pathogenesis of endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Immune cells play a vital role in the homeostasis against infectious pathogens but also in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Recent research has suggested that different immune cells have unique roles in this pathogenesis. Neutrophils, which are typically the primary acute…
Key Points Lay Summary
Collaboration Between the Surgical and Medical Experts of Endometriosis Needed
By Murat Osman
The authors of this perspective article aim to initiate a dialogue regarding the current evidence regarding the surgical and medical treatment of endometriosis. In their view, the quality of data regarding the outcomes of surgery for endometriosis is lacking and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Interleukin 6 secretion from activated macrophages promotes the migration of endometriotic epithelial cells
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that endometriosis patients have a higher level of various inflammatory factors which are associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. Several studies have shown marked increases in macrophage populations and activity…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ectopic Pregnancy Risk Factors
By Kasthuri Nair
Jacob, Kalder, and Kostev recently published an article titled “Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in Germany: a retrospective study of 100,197 patients” in German Medical Science. The retrospective German study hoped to elucidate the risk factors for ectopic pregnancies. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inflammatory mediators in endometriosis pathogenesis
By Yu Yu
Proinflammatory cytokines play an important function in mediating inflammatory reactions in chronic inflammatory diseases and in endometriosis. IL-32 is a new proinflammatory cytokine, and can also induce other proinflammatory cytokines in the body such as Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The 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
Endometriosis and its pro-fibrotic nature.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is currently defined as the presence of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells at ectopic sites. However, with advances in disease knowledge, several vital issues challenge this old definition. Especially, endometrial stromal and glands have been shown to represent only…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
The effects of MK2206 and chloroquine combination therapy on endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. A high recurrence rate after medical treatment with or without surgery is a significant clinical problem for patients with endometriosis. Establishment of a complete cure for patients with endometriosis awaits new…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can Getting Pregnant Make my Pain Go Away?
By Özge Özkaya
The association between pregnancy and symptoms of endometriosis are controversial and strongly biased, and there is no evidence suggesting that pregnancy reduces the size and number of endometriotic lesions, according to a study published in the journal Human Reproduction Update.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Inhibition of Histone methyltransferase for fighting endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Although the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and its product H3K27me3 are well studied in cancer, little is known about their role and potential as therapeutic targets in endometriosis. It has been previously reported that the endometriotic lesions are characterized by global…
Key Points Lay Summary
Novel lipid biomarkers may make early detection of endometriosis possible
By Murat Osman
Currently, specific clinical diagnostic indicators for the early detection of endometriosis have not been found with enough specificity and sensitivity for widespread use. Novel diagnostic biomarkers are needed that are both effective and non-invasive to detect endometriosis as early as…
Key Points Lay Summary
"N-myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1" and Endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
NDRG1 is implicated in many different cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, and vascularization. In endometriosis, NDRG1 is identified as an inhibitor of several important pathways. To focus on the potential function of NDRG1 in endometriosis, Lou et…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which cell defines endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
A well-accepted theory regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis hypothesizes that the origin of endometriosis is from peritoneal dissemination of endometrial cells and stroma during the neonatal period or menarche. Varying cellular components of endometriosis have been observed in the setting…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Therapeutic Roles of Statins in Gynecology and Obstetrics.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Statins are a class of drugs, which act by inhibiting the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, which reduces lipid production. Therefore, statin has been used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease. This study published in Reproductive Sciences performed…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new hypothesis for the origin of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis has been associated with an increased risk in the development of the clear cell, endometrioid, and low-grade serous tumors. Thus, progression to these forms of type I tumors is associated with endometriosis precursor lesions that are atypical. The transition…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long-term Use of Dienogest can Prevent Recurrence of Endometriomas
By Kasthuri Nair
Chandra et al. recently published a paper titled “Clinical experience of the long-term use of dienogest after surgery for ovarian endometriomas” in Obstetrics and Gynecology Science. The publication explored the benefits and repercussions associated with long-term use of dienogest, a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are there any risk factor associated with the progression of endometriosis to ovarian cancer?
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby endometrial glands proliferate outside of the endometrial lining. Apart from causing significant morbidity, It has been found that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of progression to endometroid and clear cell ovarian cancer. However,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is the presence of endometriosis associated with a survival benefit in pure ovarian clear cell carcinoma?
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
By Kasthuri Nair
Anglesio and Yong recently wrote a review titled “Endometriosis-associated Ovarian Cancers” that was published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. This review explored the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancers. It is important to note that this review is a compilation of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with Endometriosis Should Not Worry About Ovarian Cancer
By Kasthuri Nair
Kvaskoff, Horne and Missmer recently published an article in The Lancet titled “Informing women with endometriosis about ovarian cancer risk.” This article was written to address the growing concern surrounding the information that women suffering from endometriosis are at increased…
Key Points Lay Summary
Intestinal Endometriosis and Colorectal Cancer versus T4 Colorectal Cancer
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
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.
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis may affect the pelvic reproductive system, but it can also be found in non-reproductive organs such as the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. The article outlined below discusses the diagnosis and management of genitourinary and gastrointestinal endometriosis. Gastrointestinal endometriosis: The…
Key Points Lay Summary
Atypical Sites of Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is characterizes by fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. The pelvic cavity is the most common location for endometriotic lesions, which involves the retro-cervical space, ovaries, vagina, rectosigmoid colon, bladder…
Key Points Lay Summary
Epigenetic regulation of the pathological process in endometriosis.
By Dr. Youngran Park
Epigenetic mechanisms have been recognized as important players in the development of a broad range of human diseases including endometriosis. A growing body of evidence shows that the remodeling of retrograde endometrial tissues to the ectopic endometriotic lesions involves multiple epigenetic…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to Improve the Psycho-Social Well Being in Endometriosis Patients?
By Kasthuri Nair
Endometriosis and its various symptoms can negatively impact an individual’s psycho-social wellbeing. Additionally, current endometriosis treatments do not adequately alleviate the symptoms and improve a patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In their article titled “The association between experiences with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic Bowel Resection Can Be Beneficial Rectosigmoid Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Riiskjær et al. recently published a paper titled “Pelvic Pain and Quality of Life Before and After Laparoscopic Bowel Resection for Rectosigmoid Endometriosis: A Prospective, Observational Study” in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. This paper focuses on the effects…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Use of Resveratrol as an Adjuvant Treatment of Pain in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is considered a predominantly estrogen-dependent disease, and therefore hormonal suppression might be an attractive medical approach to treat this disease and its symptoms. Resveratrol is a natural phytoestrogen synthesized by plants and has known to have side effects such…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
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
Does asthma increase the risk of endometriosis?
By Demet Candaş Green
Previous studies have shown an association between asthma and endometriosis but with inconsistency. It is still unclear whether women who have asthma are at a higher risk of endometriosis than women without asthma symptoms. Peng et al., conducted a large…
Key Points Lay Summary
Estrogen receptor splice variants may be associated with endometriosis pathogenesis and clinical severity.
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of uterine stroma and glands outside of the uterine cavity and is one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain in women. Thus, understanding key genetic markers of this disease and evaluating those…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Centralization of Pelvic Endometriosis Care
By Kasthuri Nair
Dr. Patrick Chien, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of BJOG, recently wrote an article titled “Pelvic endometriosis: will centralization of services improve patient care?” In this article, Dr. Chien formulated an opinion on the centralization of pelvic endometriosis care based on the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Autophagy in endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease affecting both fertile (5-10%) and infertile (20-50%) women, and it commonly causes chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Recent research found that the autophagy exerts a pro-apoptotic effect on normal human endometrial cells and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Heritability of Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
The mechanisms underlying endometriosis, genetic or otherwise, have yet to be understood. Thus, very little is known about how one can be afflicted with this disease. Isidor et al. recently published a paper titled “Familial deep endometriosis: A rare monogenic…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diagnosis and management of adolescent endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Early onset endometriosis (EOE) is characterized by endometriosis that begins around menarche or early adolescence. Recent evidence suggests that this form of endometriosis may have a different pathogenic origin than that of adult-onset endometriosis. This opinion article suggests that early…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can Ovarian Stimulation Increase Endometrioma Volume?
By Kasthuri Nair
Seyhan et al. recently published a paper titled “Do endometriomas grow during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction? A three-dimensional volume analysis before and after ovarian stimulation” in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The authors initially believe that ovarian stimulation, often used in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Detection and diagnosis of deep endometriosis in the clinical setting
By Murat Osman
This review aims to evaluate the contribution of imaging techniques including transvaginal sonography (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bowel Function not Affected by Type of Surgery in Deep Rectal Endometriosis, Clinical Trial Shows
By Özge Özkaya
Conservative surgery for the management of deep rectal endometriosis does not seem to improve the function of the digestive and urinary system compared to more radical surgery according to a new study by French researchers published in the scientific journal Human…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ectoenzymes as endometriosis biomarkers
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
Hormonal Contraceptives and the Risk of Breast Cancer
By Kasthuri Nair
A study titled “Contemporary Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer” was recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine and was immediately picked up and summarized by many well-known newspapers and broadcasting journals, including but not limited…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Laura ArdighieriEffects of osteopathic manipulative therapy in patients with colorectal endometriosis
By Laura Ardighieri
Alternative treatments have been used for colorectal endometriosis, between them Chinese medicine, acupuncture and more recently osteopathic manipulative therapy. The osteopathic manipulative therapy has been shown to reduce the chronic pain working on muscular contractions due to vicious analgesic positions.…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
How Could Doctors Reduce Risk of Complications Following Rectal Endometriosis Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
Introducing a temporary opening, known as a stoma, in the abdomen of patients that are operated for rectal endometriosis to collect waste products could reduce the risk of complications such as anastomotic leakage. This is according to a study by…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis pathogenesis through the lens of reactive oxygen species
By Yu Yu
Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species is an essential factor in endometriosis pathogenesis. The harmful effects of reactive oxygen species have been implicated in many diseases, although the multiple biological changes caused is unclear especially in endometriosis. The article…
Key Points Lay Summary
Quality of Life in Women with Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a chronic disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Progression and spread of the disease to other structures may lead to symptoms such as pelvic pain, urinary, and GI dysfunction. Endometriosis has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to identify an Expert Centers for Colorectal Endometriosis Surgery
By Özge Özkaya
It is of paramount importance to determine set criteria to define expert centers for colorectal endometriosis surgery, according to a research article published in the scientific journal Surgical Endoscopy. As the hospital and surgeon case volume has a significant impact…
Key Points Lay Summary
Investigational Medical Therapies for Endometriosis: Current Data and Future Trends.
By Dr. Youngran Park
The medical treatment of endometriosis has traditionally relied on hormonal therapies. Because these hormonal therapies preclude fertility or may have unwanted side effects, there is a great need for novel hormonal and non-hormonal medical options. Therefore, this review focuses on…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Surgical treatment is an excellent option for women with endometriosis and infertility.
By Murat Osman
Women with endometriosis most often have difficulty becoming pregnant and thus require a combination of endometriosis treatment and infertility techniques to achieve pregnancy. Depending on the severity of endometriotic symptoms, women may or may not need surgical excision of endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Autophagy in endometriosis: Friend or foe?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent disease and affects an estimated 10% of the female population of reproductive age. Unfortunately, the etiology of endometriosis is not clear. Recently emerging evidence shows that there is a close relationship between endometriosis and autophagy.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Treatment of minimal endometriosis in infertile women
By Demet Candaş Green
For women with mild/minimal endometriosis, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) recommends the removal of endometriotic lesions to improve fertility and increase pregnancy rates. For women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment, there is ongoing debate whether surgical removal of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Progesterone resistance can cause endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum of ovaries. Abnormal progesterone signaling (i.e., progesterone resistance) in the endometrium has been implicated in the establishment of eutopic and ectopic endometrial implants. Several causes for faulty progesterone signaling have been…
Key Points Lay Summary
EFA Medical Conference 2017: EFA Research Grants Presentation by Dr. Serin Seckin
By Kasthuri Nair
Dr. Serin Seckin, a Resident Physician at Mount Sinai Health System, gave a presentation during the 2017 Medical Conference titled “EFA Research Grants.” This presentation delineated and went into some detail about the research grants worth over $400,000 that were…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Oxidative Stress
By Dr. Youngran Park
The etiology of endometriosis is still unclear. However, it is now widely accepted that oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, may be implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis causing a general inflammatory response…
Key Points Lay Summary
EFA Medical Conference 2017: "The Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer" Presentation by Dr. Marisa Weiss
By Kasthuri Nair
The second speaker in the subsection of the conference titled “Estrogen from Inflammation to Cancer: A Distant Link?” was Dr. Marisa Weiss and she gave a presentation titled “The Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer: Common Ground with Endometriosis.” Dr. Weiss…
Key Points Lay Summary
Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain
By Murat Osman
Acupuncture has been seen to offer chronic pain relief most likely due to multiple effects including analgesia and anti-inflammatory changes. Current therapy for endometriosis includes pharmacological and surgical methods. Symptom relief using other supplementary therapies such as acupuncture has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with Mild Endometriosis May Have a Higher Risk of Miscarriage
By Özge Özkaya
Mild endometriosis presents an increased risk of miscarriage according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. Researchers think that this may be because superficial lesions are associated with a greater extent of the inflammatory disorder, which may lead…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of the B lymphocytes in endometriosis: A systematic review
By Murat Osman
Insight into the role of an inflammatory response in endometriosis has sparked further study into the role of different immune cells and their causal relationship to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Several recent studies have found an association between aberrant immune…
Key Points Lay Summary
Highlights from the Endometriosis Foundation of America Medical Conference
By Özge Özkaya
The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA)’s 2017 Medical Conference was held in New York City on October 28. The conference titled “Breast, Ovary, and Endometriosis” was attended by more than 100 people and viewed online by more than 5.300. Following…
Lay Summary
Revisiting the wandering womb: Oxytocin in endometriosis and bipolar disorder
By Dr. Youngran Park
Despite a Hysteria (from Greek hysterikos, meaning ‘of the womb’) was dismissed as causing mental illness, recent evidence links oxytocin with diverse and correlated psychological and physical symptoms and conditions that more frequently affect women than men. This article proposes…
Key Points Lay Summary
Biomarkers as a Diagnostic Tool
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
Estrogen Receptor-β in Women’s Health
By Yu Yu
Since the discovery of estrogen receptor (ER), there has been a vast number of studies regarding its functions in cellular and physiological processes. The identification of estrogen receptor-β (ERβ), a second receptor, resulted in a much more complex understanding of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
An update of estrogen receptors on human disease
By Yu Yu
Estrogens and its receptors influence numerous human physiological processes. Two estrogen receptors exist, including estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ. Hence, it is essential to elucidate the functions of these receptors in healthy and diseased states. This is particularly important…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Scoring System to Identify Bowel Endometriosis Syndrome
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers in Denmark have developed a new scoring system to identify women with bowel endometriosis syndrome (BENS) and monitor the effect of treatments on the syndrome. The scoring system that can be used in everyday clinical practice is the first…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Does Not Increase Overall Risk of Breast Cancer, Study Finds
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis is not associated with the overall risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. The condition may, however, be significantly associated with an increased risk of breast tumors that express estrogen receptors (ER)…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a risk of developing breast cancer for women with endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Understanding the interplay between the development of breast cancer and the presence of endometriosis and vice versa is complex since many risk factors including hormone or genetic variations and medical treatments have a role in each disease process. Thus, parsing…
Key Points Lay Summary
Association between blood inflammatory markers and the risk of endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Previous studies have suggested that aberrant immunologic and inflammatory responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid collected from endometriosis contains elevated immune cells that may enhance the survival of endometriosis by secreting growth factors and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Migraine and endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Many studies have alluded to the relationship between endometriosis and migraines but have often been inconclusive. A migraine is a neurologic disorder in which intense pain, either focal or generalized, occurs with or without associated symptoms such as photophobia, nausea,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ultrasound-guided High-intensity Focused Ultrasound can Treat Abdominal Wall Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Endometriosis is a painful and complicated disease that can manifest in various ways. One particular way is Abdominal Wall Endometriosis (AWE), which usually arises from surgery. As is true for other types of endometriosis, there has yet to be a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is operation the best option for infertile patients with digestive endometriosis?
By Demet Candaş Green
A severe form of endometriosis affecting 8-12% of women with deep endometriosis is bowel endometriosis. Bowel involvement with associated infertility is a serious challenge for gynecologists who must choose between two main therapeutic options: surgery or medically assisted procreation (e.g.…
Key Points Lay Summary
An association of negative coping strategies on the presence of chronic symptoms associated with endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is often a long-term condition that becomes disabling and can affect the quality of life and mental health of many women. One area of endometriosis that needs to be focused on is the psychosocial-related issues of endometriosis and how…
Key Points Lay Summary
Swimming Against the Stream: Is Surgery Worthwhile in Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Pregnancy Intention?
By Murat Osman
Management of Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is further complicated by the implications of affected patients who plan to become or are pregnant. Optimal management in this situation is not standardized due to a lack of randomized trials comparing primary surgery…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Endometriosis Fertility index Could Help Better Predict the Chance of Conceiving After Laparoscopy
By Özge Özkaya
The endometriosis fertility index (EFI) can more reliably predict the chance of a woman getting pregnant following endometriosis surgery compared to the revised-American Society of Reproductive Medicine score, according to a study published in the scientific journal Gynecologic and Obstetric…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Vishaan NurseyEndometriosis linked with increased risk of cancer and frequency of future surgical procedures
By Vishaan Nursey
The purpose of this data research was to determine how women with endometriosis might be predisposed to other medical conditions later on in their lives. In order to determine if endometriosis affected health outcomes, a group of Scottish researchers collected…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer?
By Yu Yu
Inflammation may be important in ovarian carcinogenesis. Epidemiological studies show that inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, while regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has reduced associated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Reserve Depletion is not Time Sensitive
By Kasthuri Nair
The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology recently published a paper titled “Is endometrioma-associated damage to ovarian reserve progressive? Insights from IVF cycles.” This publication by Benaglia et al. examines the controversial relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Urocortin 1 as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for endometriosis
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
Zinc and lead levels in blood are altered in endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Trace metals are metals usually present in small but measurable amounts in the body. They are needed by living organisms to function properly and when depleted, can be replenished through diet and environmental exposures. Some common trace metals include iron,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The role of gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of genetic variations that exist among individuals. These polymorphisms differ by a single nucleotide base pair and are scattered throughout the human genome. Scientists use SNPs as a biological marker to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fetal Membranes Abnormalities in Pregnant Women with DIE
By Kasthuri Nair
Marcellin, Méhats, and Gogusev formulated a study where they analyzed alterations in the fetal membranes (FM) of women suffering from severe endometriosis. Their paper titled “Histopathological Alterations in Fetal Membranes of Women With Endometriosis” was recently published in the Reproductive…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are there contributing factors to the co-presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Recently, there has been an association between the presence of endometriosis and increased visceral and pressure hypersensitivity, chronic pelvic pain, and other pain and mood disorders. IBS is a functional bowel disorder that is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Approach could help Preoperative Differentiation of Endometriosis and Cancer
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers in Japan identified some radiological parameters that could be used to differentiate between endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) and a particular type of benign ovarian endometriosis (OE), making it easier for doctors to offer the right treatment to women who…
Key Points Lay Summary
Exposure to organic pollutants and endometriosis
By Yu Yu
There is increasing evidence suggesting the associations between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and gynecological diseases over the last decade. In rodent and primate experimental models, consistent associations have been previously found between exposure to dioxins and the onset of…
Key Points Lay Summary
With so many imaging tools and modalities, which one should be used for endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Intestinal endometriosis affects 5 to 12% of women with endometriosis and commonly presents as dyschezia, rectal bleeding, cyclic defecation pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Currently, surgical treatment includes segmental rectal resection with colorectal anastomosis, but it is often riddled with complications.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Symptomatology and Surgical Perspective of Scar Endometriosis
By Laura Ardighieri
Scar endometriosis is a rare condition that occurs as a consequence of iatrogenic implantation of endometrial tissue following cesarean section, vaginal delivery with episiotomy, laparotomy for hysterectomy, tubectomy, ectopic pregnancy surgeries, appendectomy, hernia repair sites; interestingly it can also occur in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Characteristics and location of extrapelvic endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
The authors of this study reviewed the medical records of 1000 women with endometriosis from two geographical areas, New Haven, US and Crete, Greece over a 20-year period with a goal of identifying the presence and location of extrapelvic endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis increases the risk of miscarriage
By Demet Candaş Green
This systematic review was based on four studies in literature and included a total of 31,167 pregnant women with endometriosis. Several studies were previously performed to establish the association between endometriosis and pregnancy loss with contradictory results. This somewhat large…
Key Points Lay Summary
Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Imaging
By Kasthuri Nair
Hoyos, Johnson, and Puscheck wrote a chapter titled “Endometriosis and Imaging” that discusses the imagining technologies that can be used to diagnosis and examine individuals with the disease. This chapter evaluates three types of imagining, namely Ultrasound (US), Magnetic Resonance…
Key Points Lay Summary
Updates in the Field of Endometriosis: Fertility Preservation
By Kasthuri Nair
“Endometriosis and Fertility” is a chapter dedicated to examining the role of endometriosis and endometriomas in decreasing fertility. In other words, the authors of this chapter discuss the relationship between endometriomas, surgeries, and infertility. Barnett, Banks and Decherney also deliberate…
Key Points Lay Summary
Comprehensive review on the drug delivery options being used for endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
By Murat Osman
Both endometriosis and uterine fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) contribute to infertility, chronic pain, and dysmenorrhea across the world. Thus, drug delivery methods ranging from contraceptives to biochemical systems based on nanotechnology are currently being used and developed. Specifically, long-acting implantable contraceptives…
Key Points Lay Summary
Environmental toxins and endometriosis
By Demet Candaş Green
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are organic chlorine contaminants that were widely used in industry due to their excellent physicochemical properties. However, they were banned in the US and the rest of the world in 1979. PCBs are highly stable and resistant…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with endometriosis are increasingly seeking alternative medical therapies for symptom relief
By Murat Osman
Cyclic premenstrual pain and discomfort (CPPD) encompasses a number of symptoms commonly experienced by many women including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is experienced by both women with and without endometriosis. CPPD includes physical and emotional symptoms associated with menstruation including…
Key Points Lay Summary
Best Time for IVF Between 7 and 25 Months Post Surgery Study Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
The more severe endometriosis is, the lower the success rate of IVF, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, the presence of endometriosis as such does not seem to affect the outcome of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Arcyriaflavin A Decreases Endometriosis Cell Viability and Proliferation
By Vishaan Nursey
The purpose of this research topic was to determine whether Arcyriaflavin A could serve as a potential new therapeutic option for those suffering from Endometriosis. Arcyriaflavin A is a Cyclin D1 inhibitor. Cyclin D1 regulates the cell cycle by interacting…
Key Points Lay Summary
First-line surgery followed by ART versus ART alone among women with colon-involving endometriosis.
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis, a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, may cause pelvic and gynecologic complications that affect fertility in women of reproductive age. Several forms of endometriosis have been observed that are characterized by the varying…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Human Endometrium-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cell-based Therapies
By Yu Yu
Mesenchymal stem cells are a promising candidate for cell-based targeted therapies because they have characteristics such as self-renewal, multipotency, low immunogenicity, and non-oncogenicity. It has the capacity to migrate to sites of inflammation including in endometrial lesions and tumor. Most…
Key Points Lay Summary
Severe Dyspareunia is Related with "Cul-de-sac" and "Uterosacral Ligament" Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis and especially deep infiltrating endometriosis has been associated with an increased risk of severe dyspareunia. Studies reporting the anatomical sites associated with deep dyspareunia and the severity of pain, and the risk factors of these anatomic sites are incongruent;…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk
By Yu Yu
Ovarian cancer prevalence in women with endometriosis is higher than the general population. It is often hypothesized that endometriosis-associated malignancies can occur from ovarian endometrioma. This systematic review by Taniguchi highlighted new insights on the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Special considerations for the evaluation of Endometriosis on MRI
By Murat Osman
Pelvic endometriosis may involve either superficial peritoneal or ovarian tissues or may spread to the organs and ligaments of the pelvis in what is known as deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). According to the size and location of these lesions, patients…
Key Points Lay Summary
DNA methylation changes in endometrium during the transition from pre-receptive to receptive phase
By Yu Yu
The endometrium is unique in that it undergoes remarkable changes during menstrual cycle under the control of hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. The function of the endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation, during which the endometrium is receptive around a week…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Have a Higher Risk of Appendix Involvement
By Özge Özkaya
Women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis, a form of endometriosis that invades the abdominal and pelvic cavity, have an increased risk of developing endometriosis of the appendix. It is therefore important to check women with deep infiltrating endometriosis for appendix involvement during…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Endometriomas vs Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Ovarian endometrioma (OMA) and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) have been described as two disease entities, although they are both characterized by endometrial tissue located outside the uterus. As OMA and DIE look different histologically, it is puzzling what cause their…
Key Points Lay Summary
Glycodelin and altered endometrial function in endometriosis
By Yu Yu
A laparoscopic examination is the only diagnostic tool for endometriosis to date. Since the procedure is invasive, there has been much effort by researchers to develop a biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. To this end, there has been growing…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Role of IL-35 in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
The molecular mechanism that drives endometriosis remains elusive to this day. Zhang et al believe that interleukin 35 (IL-35) plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Their recent publication in Reproductive Sciences titled “Upregulation of Interleukin 35 in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrial Receptivity and Infertility
By Kasthuri Nair
A study entitled “Endometrial receptivity in eutopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis: it is not affected, and let me show you why” was recently published in Fertility and Sterility explored the relationship between endometriosis and infertility. This study conducted by Miravet-Valenciano et al.…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Asli Bahadirli TalbottCA-125 may be useful for the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
Marco Aurélio Oliveira et al. conducted a prospective study at outpatient gynecology clinic and Endometriosis Treatment Center in Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (Rio de Janeiro State University) between January 2012 and January 2016 with two groups of patients: deep infiltrating endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Reevaluating response and failure of medical treatment of endometriosis
By Elisabetta Kuhn
Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting more than 10% of women in the fertile age and causing "pain" symptoms, that may require medical therapy. Most medical treatments used for endometriosis exert a hormonal mechanism to curtail estrogen effects either locally…
Key Points Lay Summary
Bowel Involvement in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Cleansing the colon before an ultrasound makes it easier to detect rectal nodules of deep infiltrating endometriosis, found a study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Cleansing the colon before a surgery is called bowel preparation and is…
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
Abdominal Wall Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Endometriosis can present itself in many places including within the pelvic organs, the more common manifestation, and outside of the pelvic organs, often referred to as extrapelvic endometriosis. One form of extrapelvic endometriosis is Abdominal Wall Endometriosis (AWE). Yela, Trigo,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Involvement of the Blood Clotting System in Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The blood clotting system might be over-active in women with endometriosis, found a study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. Although the authors stated that there is not enough evidence to suggest that over-coagulation may be directly causing endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is it Estrogen that Regulates Endometriosis Pain?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis-associated pain is a debilitating condition; however, it is surprising that the perceived pain has no correlation to the endometriosis extent. The mechanism that causes the pain is also poorly understood. Nerve growth factor is enhanced in endometriosis and may increase…
Key Points Lay Summary
Dienogest for endometriosis pain in clinical practice
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
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
Endometriosis and Productivity at Home and in the Workplace
By Kasthuri Nair
Soliman et al. recently published an original paper in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy that discusses the impact that endometriosis symptoms have on an individual’s productivity level at home and work. This publication is titled “The Effect…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hormonal Contraceptives and Endometriomas
By Kasthuri Nair
Hormonal contraceptive has recently become a popular choice of birth control for many women. The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology recently published an article entitled “Incidence of ovarian endometrioma among women with peritoneal endometriosis with and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Inhibition of key neurotransmitter could reduce endometriosis-related pain
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
This study published in the scientific journalMolecular MedicineReports[link] by Lian et al. from Shanghai, China, aims to explore the relationship between transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and endometriosis-associated pain. Pain is the most common symptom for women with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Symptoms of Endometriosis May Be Partly Caused by an Infection and Be Treated with Antibiotics
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis are more frequently diagnosed with chronic endometritis compared to other women found a study published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility. According to the authors, this finding suggests that although no causal relationship between these two…
Key Points Lay Summary
ICSI Outcomes for Laparoscopic Intervention of Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Women with endometriosis can have trouble conceiving and often turn to fertility treatments for help. Guler et al. recently published a paper in Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine titled “The Impact of laparoscopic surgery of peritoneal endometriosis and endometrioma on…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
Cryoablation to Treat Abdominal Wall Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis of the abdominal wall (AWE) is often painful and requires hormone therapy or surgery for clinical management. Thus, non-invasive treatment options to help reduce pain and the progression of these lesions will help patients who suffer from this disease.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immune Response in Endometriosis and Regulatory T cells
By Yu Yu
The adaptive immune system is crucial for many diseases. Lymphocytes, including T cells, are particularly important in the adaptive immune system. Previous research suggested that defective immune response could play a role in endometriosis. The hypothesis proposes that the immune…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis, Surgery and Fertility
By Kasthuri Nair
Carneiro, Costa, and Ávila recently published an article in a scientific journal named Reproduction, titled “To operate or not to operate on women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) before in vitro fertilization (IVF),” that explored the relationship between DIE and infertility.…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Unresolved Link Between Sexual Dysfunction and Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Barbara et al. recently published a systematic review of literature in Reproductive Sciences titled “What Is Known and Unknown About the Association Between Endometriosis and Sexual Functioning” that delves into the effects that endometriosis has on female sexual dysfunction. Endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
T-Cell Dysfunction May Worsen Endometriosis
By Murat Osman
Researchers from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan, have found that T regulatory lymphocytes (Treg) may be the reason for the formation of the chronic inflammatory environment involved in endometriosis, a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Endometrium Itself is Genetically Different in Endometriosis Patients
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers in China identified a number of genes that are differentially expressed in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and those without. The researchers think that these genes may be involved in the development of endometriosis and that they…
Key Points Lay Summary
Combination Therapy Proves More Efficient in the Treatment of Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
In their recent paper in British Journal of Pharmacology, entitled “Combination therapy with telmisartan and parecoxib induces regression of endometriotic lesions,” Nenicu et al. illustrate the increased effectiveness of telmisartan used along with a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory…
Key Points Lay Summary
Body size, adult height and endometriosis
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
Endometriosis is associated with lean body size during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood; tall total adult height; and tall sitting height, found a study published in the scientific journal, Human Reproduction. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between body size across…
Key Points Lay Summary
A potential indicator of invasive endometriosis.
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
Furuya & Masuda et al., in their recent article that will be published in Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, report that the protein encoded by ZEB1 gene (Zinc finger E-box-Binding homeobox) is a potential indicator of invasive endometriosis. ZEB1 is a transcription factor that has been implicated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Characteristics of endometriosis in adolescents and young girls
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is not an uncommon disease. Even among adolescent girls and young women, endometriosis may cause severe symptoms and lead to complications. Understanding the clinical variability of endometriosis in younger and older patients may lead to insight on the risk…
Key Points Lay Summary
How Resveratrol is effective in endometriosis?
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
In their review paper, Mohammadi and Arablou recommend using Resveratrol, a plant-derived compound, for the treatment of endometriosis. Resveratrol is abundant in nature and can be found in many different plant species, fungi, berries, peanuts, legumes, and grasses; however, grapes…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with endometriosis suffer from anxiety and depression
By Demet Candaş Green
Endometriosis is considered a disabling condition that may significantly affect social relationships, sexuality and mental health of patients. Women who suffer from endometriosis report high levels of anxiety and depression and other psychological disorders. In this review article, the authors…
Key Points Lay Summary
Could the cell surface protein "EWI-2" be the new diagnostic marker for endometriosis?
By Murat Osman
Further Understanding: Researchers from the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan University sought to observe the differential expression of EWI-2, (a cell surface protein and an early activation marker, also known as IGSF8 - Immunoglobulin superfamily member 8) in 145 women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Asian Women at Higher Risk of Endometriosis and Less Likely to Conceive with IVF but not Because of their Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
The rate of endometriosis is higher amongst women of Asian origin confirms a study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. In addition, pregnancy rates following fertility treatments are lower in this group of women. However, this does…
Lay Summary
Endometriosis as a Barrier to Fertility
By Murat Osman
Some of the articles in the from the journal "Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (AOGS) issue are discussed in further detail below: Pain caused by endometriosis has been seen to significantly impact women's physical, psychosocial, and sexual health. Although endometriosis has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
TFF3 May Be Involved in Endometriosis Research Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
Levels of a protein called TFF3 are significantly increased in the peritoneal cavity (the abdominal space) of women with endometriosis, found a study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences. This increase was in line with levels of other known…
Lay Summary
Can a cure be developed for endometriosis?
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
The Lancet correspondence highlights that regardless of the importance of endometriosis; its full socioeconomic impact is underestimated and endometriosis research is considerably underfunded. The Endometriosis Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) which includes women with endometriosis, their supporters, health-care practitioners, endometriosis researchers, and representatives from…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Micrometastasis
By Yu Yu
Micrometastasis is used to describe the migration of a small number of cancer cells from its original location to the other organs within the body. While endometriosis is not cancer, it occurs when endometrial cells migrate outside of the uterus…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis Reduces Chance of Having a Baby Even with Assisted Reproduction, Study Shows
By Özge Özkaya
Endometriosis significantly decreases the likelihood of conceiving even with assisted reproductive technique such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. In…
Lay Summary
By Karime Kalil MachadoPatient-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
Scientists Grow Miniature Model of Human Endometrium in the Laboratory
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers in the U.K. managed to grow a miniature functional model of the human endometrium in the laboratory for the first time. These so-called organoids could help scientists better understands events associated with conditions such as endometriosis and help them…
Lay Summary
How rats can help improve colon endometriosis treatment in humans
By Demet Candaş Green
Colorectal endometriosis forms about 3–37% of all deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) cases. DIE is a highly invasive type of endometriosis, occurs when ovarian endometriomas overgrow and rupture, releasing their contents into the abdominal and pelvic cavity, resulting in the formation…
Key Points Lay Summary
More than Four Years Pass Before Endometriosis is Diagnosed After Symptoms First Appear
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
By Ezio RosatoWomen with Endometriosis Undergoing Surgery Often Require Further Treatment
By Ezio Rosato
Recurrence of endometriosis is common even in women who underwent surgery, a new study confirmed. This suggests that women with endometriosis should be closely followed up even after treatment with surgery. For the study published online in the Journal of…
Lay Summary
Unexpected "cancer-related" mutations in "non-cancerous" endometriosis: Do they predict aggressiveness?
By Laura Ardighieri
A study supported by Endometriosis Foundation of America, reported by scientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore, USA) and the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) have identified the molecular alterations of deep infiltrating endometriosis trough a wide exome sequencing (protein-coding genetic alphabet…
Key Points Lay Summary
Hypoxia induces molecular pathways favoring survival of endometriosis
By Laura Ardighieri
Kuei-Yang Hsiao and colleagues from the Department of Physiology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, have investigated the molecular basis of this phenomenon. In particular, they found that hypoxia significantly…
Key Points Lay Summary
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
New Molecular Targets for the Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Pain
By Ezio Rosato
The study identifies potential new targets for alleviating chronic pelvic pain that afflicts many women with endometriosis. A new study published in the scientific journal Redox Biology shows that molecules called microRNAs could be a potential new target to combat…
Lay Summary
Women with Endometriosis May Require Additional Care During Pregnancy and Labour
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis have a higher risk of bleeding after giving birth, found a study published in the Chinese Medical Journal. In addition, women with endometriosis who conceived by assisted reproduction may also have a higher risk of bleeding after…
Lay Summary
Immune substances in peritoneal fluid for endometriosis diagnosis and armamentarium
By Yu Yu
Cytokines are immune substances secreted by a broad range of cells within the body, including immune cells like the macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, mast cells, and non-immune cells such as the endothelial cells and fibroblasts. They are important in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Characteristics of Ovarian Endometriotic Cysts Could Help Determine Whether Endometrioma Will Reoccur
By Özge Özkaya
The features of ovarian endometriotic cysts could help predict whether endometrioma will re-occur in individual patients, according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Predicting the risk of recurrence is important because it can help…
Lay Summary
Metabolomic profiling and biochemical evaluation of the follicular fluid of endometriosis patients.
By Yu Yu
Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism from our body. Increasingly the study of metabolite content in biological systems can be used to derive useful information to identify disease-related markers, such as the use of glucose in the blood…
Key Points Lay Summary
Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer
By Özge Özkaya
Variations in a gene called HNF1B could be linked to the risk of endometriosis, according to a study published in the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology. Previous studies had identified the same genetic variation as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.…
Lay Summary
Complexity of Urinary Tract Endometriosis: Highlights from a Review
By Murat Osman
Understanding the Clinical Complexity of Urinary Tract Endometriosis: Highlights from a Review While endometriosis predominantly affects the pelvic reproductive organs, spread to the urinary tract has also been observed and requires a different subset of surgical techniques for treatment. Accurate…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis doubles the risk of sexual dysfunction
By Karime Kalil Machado
Women with endometriosis are more than two times as likely to present sexual dysfunction as compared to women without the disease, according to a study published in Gynecologic Endocrinology. In this study conducted by researchers from the University of São…
Lay Summary
Diet & Endometriosis
By Asli Bahadirli Talbott
Diet and the risk of developing endometriosis Current studies examining the modifiable risk factors for prevention of endometriosis are pointing to the development of effective dietary restrictions. Thus understanding the role of nutrition in endometriosis has become critical. In a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy as Effective as Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, Study Suggests
By Ezio Rosato
Laparoscopic hysterectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to remove the uterus, results in similar rates of disease-free survival among women with stage 1 endometrial cancer as the standard abdominal hysterectomy, showed a study published in The Journal…
Lay Summary
Women with Endometriosis Should be Closely Monitored During Pregnancy and Birth, Study Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
Women with endometriosis have a significantly higher risk of developing several complications during pregnancy and delivery such as preeclampsia and placental complications, according to a study by Danish researchers. In addition, babies born to mothers with endometriosis have a higher…
Lay Summary
Endometriosis Can Reduce Sleep Quality and Negatively Impact Patient’s Quality of Life Study Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
Most women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac, experience poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia, according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. Poor sleep quality can reduce the quality…
Lay Summary