Thread by @doctormom63

#Endometriosis is now considered a systemic disease rather than a disease predominantly affecting the pelvis. Endometriosis affects metabolism in liver & adipose tissue, leads to systemic inflammation, & alters gene expression in the brain..."

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

#Endometriosis affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age...Despite this high prevalence, disease recognition is inadequate & diagnosis time ranges
from 4 to 11 years, with 65% of women being initially
misdiagnosed." 65%!! /2

"Women often report having difficulty articulating their symptoms or feeling that their symptoms are INAPPROPRIATELY NORMALISED." #Endometriosis /3

"Early identification and treatment of #endometriosis
is essential & facilitated by a shift towards clinical
diagnosis instead of relying on surgical diagnosis alone.
Clinical diagnosis of endometriosis & initiation of
therapy at an earlier stage of the disease is possible." /4

"antibodies to endometrial & ovarian antigens have also been detected...These results suggest #endometriosis has features similar to autoimmune diseases...with four studies showing a statistically significant association with at least one classic autoimmune disease." /5

"Lesion survival might also be enhanced by the decreased cytotoxicity of natural killer cells." #Endometriosis

Interesting because NK cell function has been shown to be decreased for many #MECFS patients. /6

"Careful attention to CYCLIC BOWEL & BLADDER PAIN helps distinguish #endometriosis from non-gynecological causes of abdominopelvic discomfort." /7

"Additionally, PROGRESSIVE DYSMENORRHEA (painful periods) should raise suspicion for #endometriosis since primary dysmenorrhoea does not increase in severity over time." /8

"Primary dysmenorrhea also responds consistently to NSAIDs since it is non-progressive. Chronic, cyclic pelvic pain, non-menstrual pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, & dysuria are frequently reported in women with #endometriosis." /9

"...research has focused on identifying alternative markers, which take into account the systemic nature of #endometriosis. Circulating miRNAs have been considered promising biomarker candidates bc they are stable in circulation and have highly specific expression profiles." /10

"...research in murine models of #endometriosis has identified let-7b (which has anti-inflammatory effects) & miR-451 as potential therapeutic targets.

..administration of let-7b resulted in regression of lesions & decreased expression of ER-beta, aromatase, and IL-6." /11

"The implications of such an approach will ideally lead to an expansion of available medical therapies that incorporate novel, non-hormonal treatments.
Such therapies can include immunomodulating agents, miRNA modulators, & stem-cell-based therapies." /12

Until these novel, non-hormonal treatments & new diagnostic measures are available, you may find the following website about #Endometriosis informative:
nancysnookendo.com/about-endometr…

An important fact:
#Endometriosis may be severe enough that uterus, tubes & /or ovaries are adherent to ureter, bladder, pelvic wall, bowel, rectum etc which cannot be picked up on exam, MRI, transvaginal US or CT & is only discovered during laparoscopy & treated surgically. /13

Nancy's Nook has an educational Facebook page on #Endometriosis which contains a list of vetted gynecologists around the world who are experienced at performing #excision surgery that the average gynecologist may not be able to perform.
facebook.com/groups/4181369…