Bahar Yuksel, MD
Bahar Yuksel graduated from Istanbul University Istanbul Medical School at the top of the class in 2010. She completed her residency in Istanbul Medical School Obstetrics and Gynecology Department with the top score Residency Board Exam. Between 2016 and 2017 she studied at Stanford School of Medicine and did research on ovarian physiology. Her projects were funded by The Scientific And Technological Research Council Of Turkey several times. Her main interests are endometriosis and ovarian physiology. Now she has her practice in Istanbul as an associate professor in Ob&Gyn, cofounder of Endometriosis Research and Support Society, EndoTurkiye, and works for the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound.org) as Research Associate.
Exploring the Potential Impact of Prenatal Testosterone on Endometriosis
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 propose that exposure to low testosterone levels could be a potential risk factor for endometriosis later in life. They review existing research studies that provide support for this hypothesis, including animal studies and clinical observations. The article further explores the…
Key Points Lay SummaryDeep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis have different genetic pathways
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 to identify potential dysregulation of oncogene pathways. The researchers utilized gene expression profiling techniques to analyze tissue samples from patients diagnosed with either DIE or adenomyosis. After collecting the tissue samples from patients diagnosed with either DIE or adenomyosis during…
Key Points Lay SummaryInsights into immune dysfunction in endometriosis - Chandrakant Tayade, DVM, PhD
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 understanding the immune mechanisms involved in endometriosis, as immune dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of the disease. By exploring the immune system's response to endometriosis, doctors can gain valuable knowledge for improved diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies.…
Key Points Lay Summary2023 MedicalConferance: Pros and cons of hormonal interventions for endometriosis - Sarah Berga, MD
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 of life, preserve fertility, and minimize side effects. She then goes on to discuss the different hormonal interventions available for endometriosis. Oral contraceptives are a common first-line treatment, as they can suppress ovulation, reduce estrogen levels, and decrease the size and…
Key Points Lay SummaryA self-diagnostic tool that predicts the likelihood of endometriosis
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 model that could predict the presence of endometriosis in women based on self-reported symptoms alone. The authors collected data from 1,592 women who completed a survey of symptoms related to endometriosis and underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm the presence or…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe bigger the uterus, the more painful the dysmenorrhea even if you don’t have endometriosis.
The literature finds no correlation between ultrasound or perioperative findings and pain intensity. Thus, a tool to predict pain intensity will ease the choice for proper treatments and follow-ups. In the study led by Dr. Zhao et al., the ultrasonographic measurements of the uterus have been compared with operative findings and pain (VAS) scales of women with and without endometriosis. Reproductive-age women who applied for abdominal surgery have been included. Demographic data and VAS scales for the menstrual pain intensity…
Key Points Lay SummaryImportance of dynamic cystoscopy for bladder endometriosis.
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 bimanual examination combined cystoscopy to deep infiltrative endometriosis patients. A cross-sectional observational prospective study was conducted and data from patients who have undergone surgery between 2011 and 2022 have been collected. A cystoscopy with a bimanual examination dynamic cystoscopy has…
Key Points Lay SummaryThis time it is good to have this stress: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and endometriosis.
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 the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress on endometriotic cell death. The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle where transmembrane proteins are modified and destructed if there is a mis-synthesis. When there is a misfolding of those proteins then they accumulate in…
Key Points Lay SummaryIs there a way for a nonaddictive opioid for endometriosis pain?
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 al., the literature has been analyzed for the effects of the opioid system on endometriosis-related pain and the possible suggestions for new drug production. The analysis showed, locally, nociceptors are activated in and around the endometriotic lesions, which convert the…
Key Points Lay SummaryGathering brings relief to endometriosis pain.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that should be managed on a multidisciplinary basis. In a study conducted in Porto Rico, the authors designed a multitask organization to support women with endometriosis and analyzed its feasibility and accessibility. In order to define environmental enrichment a group of experts including gynecologists, psychologists, and wellbeing experts met up and produced a group of activities for patients as yoga, yogic breathing, mindfulness, aromatherapy, art therapy, music, and drama therapy, support groups, and the outdoors. Advertisements…
Key Points Lay SummaryMyofascial pain management and endometriosis
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that causes inflammation around pelvic muscles and peripheric nerves which ultimately may cause peripheral and central sensitization and result in increased response to pain. In the study conducted by Shrikhande at al. from the pelvic rehabilitation center, the patients who still suffer from pain after endometriosis surgery was targeted by giving them a package of treatment aiming peripheral and central sensitization and myofascial trigger points. Sixty women with surgical endometriosis diagnosis and still have pain…
Key Points Lay SummaryWeighting (side)effects when dealing with endometriosis-associated pain.
The treatment options for endometriosis-related pain are so many. And the guidelines leave the selection to the clinicians, which causes obscurity between preferences. In the study by Christine Poulos et al, the authors analyzed the response of clinicians on the field and the underlying cause of their choice in different case scenarios. In the article published in "Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research", a new method called the discrete-choice experiment methodology was used to show pain treatment preferences. A…
Key Points Lay SummaryRelation between hormone replacement therapy and postmenopausal endometriosis.
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 oophorectomy is performed, the patient starts to live with menopausal consequences. Thus, hormone replacement therapy for surgically induced menopause of endometriosis patients is critical. The survey-based study based on a case report conducted by Dr. Amer et al in the…
Key Points Lay SummaryEconomic burden while living with endometriosis.
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 been reviewed by analyzing studies published in the last few years. A PubMed, Econlit (economic studies database), and the Cochrane Library search including the terms ‘endometriosis’ and ‘costs’, OR ‘cost of illness’ or‘ cost analysis’ or ‘economic burden’ was performed.…
Key Points Lay SummaryDoes taking all deep endo nodules out improve fertility?
Deep infiltrative endometriosis is an issue that comes to the scene more than before according to detection rates with help of awareness on clinicians. But treating infertility related to endometriosis is still unclear when it comes to DIE patients. In the review by Angelos Daniilidis et al, the authors searched the literature for studies analyzing fertility rates after DIE surgery. A database search of all published studies, limited to English, on the effect of surgery for deep endometriosis on fertility…
Key Points Lay SummaryMachine learning based potential biomarkers
To explore potential biomarkers for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, and to elucidate the mechanism of endometriosis, Yi Huang et al, analyzed gene differences between eutopic and ectopic endometrium and the status of the immune microenvironment., and published their results in the scientific journal named "Frontiers in Endocrinology". A variety of machine learning algorithms were applied for feature selection to screen for diagnostic markers. From the public functional genomics database named Gene Omnibus, the endometriosis-related datasets were downloaded and DEGs between eutopic and ectopic endometrium…
Key Points Lay SummaryPredictability of IVF success by basal progesterone levels on patients with endometriosis
Endometriosis causes infertility in around 30-40% of all diagnosed women. Thus, strategies leading to more successful IVF results remain important. In the prospective study by Jovan Bila, the menstruation day 3 levels of serum progesterone were questioned to have a predictive value. Women younger than 40 years old, primarily infertile only related to endometriosis with no other factor and no gynecologic disease, have 3-15 antral follicles and have regular menses with normal BMI have enrolled prospectively in the study. All…
Key Points Lay SummaryForeseeing what will be seen on laparoscopy
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 by Yanhua Yang et al, the authors collected data from patients to find the correlation between preoperative evaluations and operative findings. The database included non-pregnant patients older than 18 years old; who have a normal hepatic and renal function; have undergone…
Key Points Lay SummaryEmbryo implantation and endometriosis
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 oocyte quality or endometrial receptivity. In the review conducted by Astrid Boucher et al, the main reasons are underlined. The PubMed database has been searched for the words “endometriosis” and “embryo implantation”, including studies published up to April 2022 and…
Key Points Lay SummaryDevilish triad: Endometriosis-irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders
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 as well as endometriosis. In the study conducted in France by Alexandra Aupetit et al, the relationship between these disorders has been questioned. Patients between 18 and 50 years diagnosed with endometriosis in the last 4 years have been selected…
Key Points Lay Summary