Endometriosis ~ Abdominal Pain ~ Endo ~ Scar Tissue ~ Adhesions ~ Infertility ~ Hysterectomy

Sunday, March 04, 2012

International Endometriosis Awareness Month

Media release from Endometriosis New Zealand
Endometriosis New Zealand
Friday 02 March 2012, 2:06PM

Media release from Endometriosis New Zealand

International Endometriosis Awareness month will be launched in New Zealand at the International Women's Day Breakfast on Thursday 8 March, at the Ellerslie International Flower Show. All proceeds from the event will be donated to support Endometriosis New Zealand.

Deborah Bush (QSM), Chief Executive of Endometriosis New Zealand, said "endometriosis was one of the last medical taboo's of modern society. Awareness was essential as the disease affects approximately 126,000 girls and women in New Zealand and an estimated 176 million women worldwide." She said "using these statistics, it would potentially out-number all those with breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes I & II and AIDS in the 15 - 49 age group." The organisation relies solely on donations and fundraising to run its national services and programmes.

Tickets to the breakfast are now on sale and can be purchased from www.360endo.eventbrite.com

Endometriosis Facts

• Endometriosis (pronounced 'end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis') is a common disease affecting one in ten New Zealand women and girls
• It creates major human and financial burdens for individuals, families, health and welfare services and facilities, schools and work-place productivity
• Evidence shows that girls and women experience a diagnostic delay of 8+ years from first presentation of symptoms to a doctor
• Women are frequently misdiagnosed and may have undergone unnecessary and expensive investigations
• There are approximately 126,000 girls and women with endometriosis in New Zealand
• Canterbury women, in particular, are more vulnerable than ever as stress often makes chronic pain and symptoms worse. The demand on the services of Endometriosis New Zealand are greater than ever, however the ability to respond to the demand has been compromised by losses incurred through the cancellation of fund raising events from damage incurred by the Canterbury earthquakes.

http://www.nzendo.co.nz/

http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/march-2012/02/international-endometriosis-awareness-month.aspx

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Santorum pose to questions Obama's world’s view Christian’s faith ~ a world with no birth control pills ?

Santorum pose to questions Obama's world’s view Christian’s faith
http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-cincinnati/santorum-pose-to-questions-obama-s-world-s-view-christian-s-faith

Article exerpt
"There is an illness that attacks women that is called endometriosis which can be controlled by birth controlling attention.


Endometriosisis defined as a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries.



The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. These endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are influenced by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells found inside the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual cycle.



Endometriosis is typically seen during the reproductive years; it has been estimated that endometriosis occurs in roughly 5 to 10% of women. Symptoms may depend on the site of active endometriosis. Its main but not universal symptom is pelvic pain in various manifestations. Endometriosis is a common finding in women with infertility. How can these politicians be so insensitive and unconcern?



Nonetheless, Santorum continues to defends himself as he tried to justify his action. In that broadcast interview he said; "I am talking about his world view, and the way he approaches problems in this country. I think they're different than how most people do in America.”

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Female Sexual Function Improves After Lesion Surgery D.I.E.

Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis who undergo laparoscopic excision and postoperative combined oral contraceptive therapy have improved postoperative sexual function, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.


THURSDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) who undergo laparoscopic excision and postoperative combined oral contraceptive (COC) therapy have improved postoperative sexual function, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Mohamed Mabrouk, M.D., of the University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 106 women with DIE to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic excision and postoperative COC therapy on sexual function.
Click link for full article: http://www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/26819

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Gene variant linked to endometriosis

YALE (US) — Researchers may have identified a genetic basis of endometriosis, a condition that causes millions of women chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

The Yale University researchers’ discovery of a new gene mutation provides hope for new screening methods.


Published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, the study explored an inherited mutation located in part of the KRAS gene, which leads to abnormal endometrial growth and endometrial risk.

Click here to read entire article: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/gene-variant-linked-to-endometriosis/

Thursday, February 02, 2012

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Patient viewpoint on Adhesion Awareness ~ Video by Carly

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Patient viewpoint on Adhesion Awareness ~ Video by Carly

Recurrence of Endometriosis and hip pain

I knew it! I have been trying to tell docs of my hip pain for 30 years now and have been brushed off or stared at blankly...I just love a little validation! Recurrence of Endometriosis???  I d on't know...what I have had happen to me is they had never been able to fully excise my endo and from what I read I am not sure it can all be visualised during the time of surgery....Lurpon??? No thank you....never again. I am almost 1 inch shorter than I use to be and dx'ed with osteoporosis at age 40!

Endometriosis and hip pain
Recurrence of Endometriosis and hip pain

Dear Ask The Doctor: Can endometriosis come back after surgery and spread to the hips

Dear Deesha: Recurrence of endometriotic lesions is stimulated by estrogens, the female hormones produced by the ovaries. During the normal menstrual cycle, blood levels of estradiol (the main estrogen) fluctuate between 40 and 400 pg/mL. These levels are necessary to achieve pregnancy but they also contribute to the recurrence of endometriosis.

Recurrence rate for endometriosis has been estimated to be 10% per year. One study found it to recur in 40% of women within 5 years after conservative surgery. There is a 6 times higher risk of recurrence after hysterectomy if the ovaries are not removed. Even in women who have their ovaries removed, there is still a risk of further recurrence of Endometriosis.

On occasion endometrial adhesions can restrict the hip ligaments, causing pain and limping. Hip joint pain that worsens in a cyclical fashion in line with the menstrual cycle will usually be caused by endometriosis. Surgical treatment to remove endometrial implants is sometimes undertaken in the hope of relieving the hip joint pain associated with endometriosis.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 January 2012 )
http://www.askthedoctor.com/topics-a-z/45-endometriosis/116458-recurrence-of-endometriosis-and-hip-pain.html

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Patient viewpoint on Adhesion Awareness ~ Video by Carly

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Patient viewpoint on Adhesion Awareness ~ Video by Carly

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Carly's Awareness of Adhesions ~ Video diary ....but you don't look sick...

ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder: Carly's Awareness of Adhesions ~ Video diary ....but you don't look sick...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

New test for endometriosis

New test for endometriosis
BY KATE HAGAN
20 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM
An ultrasound is just as effective as an invasive surgical procedure in diagnosing the female reproductive disorder endometriosis, a Melbourne specialist has found, in a development that could lead to more women being treated for the painful condition.
Sofie Piessens found the new technique was more than 90 per cent effective at diagnosing endometriosis, in an analysis of 100 patients she saw between 2009 and last year.

She presented her findings at the annual scientific meeting of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists last month.

About 15 per cent of women have endometriosis, which can cause severe pain and damage reproductive organs, leading to infertility in up to 50 per cent of cases.

Dr Piessens said the disorder, in which the cells lining the uterus migrate to the abdomen, was usually diagnosed with a laparoscopy, an operation to inspect the pelvic organs.

''Some people will have painful periods but not endometriosis, so to do a laparoscopy on everyone who has painful periods was quite invasive,'' she said.

''A lot of women are told the pain is normal and they have to put up with it, so there can be a significant delay in diagnosis and the endometriosis can become quite severe.''

Dr Piessens, a gynaecologist who specialises in ultrasound, said doctors had previously believed that ultrasounds could not detect endometriosis.

''Now groups around the world have published data to say if you just look backwards, behind the uterus, you can diagnosis a high proportion of women who have that really bad form of endometriosis,'' she said.

''With a normal vaginal ultrasound we look right ahead at the uterus, we turn it to the side to look at the ovaries, and I would like people to just look behind the uterus as well to look for endometriosis.

''It's something people need to become aware of and my feeling is, if there is demand from referring doctors, then imaging people will lift their game and look harder.''
Dr Piessens said the result was a speedier diagnosis which provided a template for surgeons performing complex surgery to remove the lesions.

She said the ultrasound could also be used to monitor the effect of hormone medication in shrinking the lesions, potentially avoiding surgery.

One of the patients who has benefited from the new diagnostic technique is Alana Vaughan, 29, who suffered for years with painful periods.

She said her symptoms ''returned with a vengeance'' when she stopped taking the contraceptive pill a few years ago, before she was referred to Dr Piessens who diagnosed her endometriosis. After extensive surgery to remove it, Ms Vaughan said she was now thrilled to be pregnant with twins.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/new-test-for-endometriosis/2426662.aspx?storypage=0

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Hope For Adhesion Pain Sufferers: Asherman’s Syndrome – could it be why you’re struggling to have a baby?

Hope For Adhesion Pain Sufferers: Asherman’s Syndrome – could it be why you’re struggling to have a baby?

Gynaecologist analyses women’s biggest sexual problems

Gynaecologist analyses women’s biggest sexual problems
On January 2, 2012 · In Health | 4:10 pm..
Abuja – Unlike men’s main sexual complaint — erectile dysfunction, women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of mental and physical factors, a doctor has analysed.

Dr Ekpi Philips, a Consultant Gynaecologist, said that common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women could be interpersonal relationship issues, socio-cultural influences and peer pressure.

Others include partner performance problems, lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child and becoming a caregiver for a loved one.

“Medical problems such as mental illnesses, depression, or medical conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders impact on a woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.

“Age, medications, certain antidepressants, blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral contraceptives can lower sexual drive.’’

Philips said that testosterone could also affect sexual drive in both men and women.

Testosterone is a hormone made by the body and helps to stimulate and maintain sexual function, maintain bone strength, among others.

“Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline until menopause, and drop dramatically,’’ he said.

Philips noted that lower sexual drive sets in when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest in sex and it is having an effect on her.

According to him, sexual desire is more than just an issue of low libido or sex drive.

“Sexual drive is the biological component of desire which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

“ It’s about your body signaling that it wants to be sexual.

“Whether or not there is any intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

He explained that a woman carrying financial burdens of the home could lose interest in sex.

“For a growing number of women, declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, and other problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

“When a woman go to work and comes back late, think of bills to pay, prepares the children and think of the attitudes of the husband, such woman can never pick interest in sex’’.

Philips also explained that a woman who is ill and probably on medication, could have low sex drive.

He stated that relationships between the husband must be cordial for both parties to enjoy sex.

He added that loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages.

“These are not likely to be cured by merely using a pill’’.

He said that since the loss of sexual desire in women was caused by a combination of factors, it required more than an approach to fix the problem.

He advised that putting the desire back in women’s sex lives would require putting her on sex therapy and relationship counseling.

“Changing medications or altering the dose, addressing underlying medical conditions of the woman and the use of vaginal estrogens, testosterone therapy, could help.’’

According to Philips, many gynaecologists recommend off-label uses of testosterone therapy for women with low sexual desire to restore testosterone to normal levels.

“In postmenopausal women, vaginal dryness may be treated with vaginal estrogen creams although no hormone or drug has been approved to treat sexual problems in women,’’ Philips added

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/gynaecologist-analyses-women%E2%80%99s-biggest-sexual-problems/

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund


HOUSTON -- (January 9, 2012) -- Two Baylor College of Medicine researchers have received three-year grants totaling $1.35 million from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for studies directed toward earlier detection of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cause of cancer among U.S. women and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women. An estimated 22,000 will be diagnosed with the disorder this year and more than 15,000 will die of it.



"Investigating ARID1A
Over the next three years, Hawkins will research why some women with endometriosis (the growth of cells that usually line the uterus outside that organ, often on the ovary) go on to develop a kind of ovarian cancer known as endometrioid or clear cell ovarian cancer.

"Additionally, women with endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer have a better prognosis than women without endometriosis," she said.

She will look at a gene called ARID1A that may play a role in the transformation from endometriosis cells to ovarian cancer cells. How ARID1A plays a role in the formation of tumors is not yet understood, and Hawkins plans to study both benign and malignant human tissue to find mutations in ARID1A. She will work in cell cultures to determine if ARID1A leads to increased growth of cancer cells because of interaction with other cancer genes. She will create a mouse model to mimic the low levels of ARID1A and see how early tumors form as well as to study potential therapies."
Click here to read entire article: http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=5022

Health insurance rescission case upheld by California appellate court - Lexology

Health insurance rescission case upheld by California appellate court - Lexology

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

New Risks for Women with Endometriosis

New Risks for Women with Endometriosis
By Heidi Anne Duerr, MPH | January 3, 2012

Endometriosis affects as many as 6% of the general population. While some women with endometriosis remain asymptomatic, many women experience dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-cyclical pelvic pain, and subfertility. Now, new research indicates that patients with endometriosis are also more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease.
Read the rest here: http://hcp.obgyn.net/endometriosis/content/article/1760982/2012566

Adhesion Related Disorder International Human Rights Team IHRT: Has wanna be adhesion activist/author Karen Steward made you feel...

Adhesion Related Disorder International Human Rights Team IHRT: Has wanna be adhesion activist/author Karen Steward made you feel...

Monday, January 02, 2012

Endometriosis Linked to IBD

Endometriosis puts women at risk for Crohns Ulcerative Colitis
By: Lindsay Patterson

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Madia, MD

(dailyRx)Endometriosis is a common reproductive disorder that affects women during their childbearing years. It is often connected with infertility, and now, it's also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

New research has found that women with endometriosis are at least twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Click here to read the rest: http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/endometriosis-puts-women-risk-crohns-ulcerative-colitis-16651.html