Özge Özkaya, PhD
Özge has a Phd in Molecular Biology and several years experience working as a bench scientists. She has been working in science communication since 2014.
Impact of Endometriosis Subtypes on Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk
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 its prevention. They could also take part in targeted screening and prevention studies. In 1925, Sampson first linked endometriosis with epithelial ovarian cancer. Since then, research has shown that women with endometriosis have an elevated risk of ovarian cancer. While…
Key Points Lay Summary
What Factors Affect the Chance of Being Diagnosed With Endometriosis?
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 people from accessing timely diagnosis and management. To compare the demographic characteristics of women who did receive a diagnosis of endometriosis and those who did not a team of researchers from the US led by Benjamin P Brown, MD from…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on Effect of Endometriosis and Infertility on Couples
Endometriosis and infertility are significantly associated with partnership and sexuality satisfaction, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. However, the large overlap between endometriosis and infertility underscores the fact that more research is needed to differentiate between the effects of the two on couples’ satisfaction. To identify the link between different predictors of partnership and sexual satisfaction and endometriosis and infertility on both members of the couple, a team of researchers led…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Identifies Factors Associated With the Risk of Adenomyosis Progression
The disease progression rate of adenomyosis at one-year follow-up is 21.3%, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. For hormonally untreated patients this rate is 30.77% while for those who were hormonally treated, it is 18.34%. The presence and/or worsening of painful symptoms like severe period pain, pain during defecation, chronic pelvic pain, and the presence of focal adenomyosis in the outer myometrium (the middle layer of the uterine wall) may help identify patients who…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and PCOS Share Common Risk Genes
There is a genetic correlation and shared risk genes between endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), found a new study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. “These findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms behind their comorbidity and the future development of therapeutics,” according to the authors. Previous research has already highlighted the similarities between the two conditions. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms between endometriosis and PCOS are lacking. Here, a team of researchers led by Dr. Hongmei…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on Molecular Mechanism of Endometriosis Development
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 the condition may help researchers develop new therapeutic strategies in the future. To better understand the potential role of CADM2 – a molecule that plays a role in maintaining cell adhesion and polarity, and suppressing tumors – in the development…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there a Way of Knowing if I Have Endometriosis Without Surgery?
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 ILs … may be good candidates for unique noninvasive diagnostic tools and/or treatment pathways for endometriosis,” the authors of the study said. Under the leadership of Dr. John J Coté from Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology…
Key Points Lay Summary
Mindfulness Apps Could Help Adolescents Manage Period Pain
Adolescents with period pain are interested in using a mindfulness app for their pain, according to a new study published in the journal, JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting. However, they have unique needs that must be addressed so that the app is engaging and relevant. More and more digital intervention platforms are becoming available to help reduce pain. However, there aren’t many such platforms for adolescents who experience period pain. In the present study, a team of researchers led by Dr. Jennifer…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can a Virtual Stress Reduction Program Help Improve my Quality of Life?
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 “effective and preferred by participants”. These findings suggest that such virtual programs may increase access to care in the future. To assess the effectiveness of a virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction course in improving the quality of life and reducing the…
Key Points Lay Summary
MRI Improves Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Diagnosis
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 endometriosis diagnosis”. To compare the accuracy of pelvic MRI in diagnosing deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) to that of laparoscopy, a team of researchers from Iran led by Dr. Nasim Namiranian of the Diabetes Research Center at Shahid Sadoughi University of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Do I Need Assisted Reproduction to Become Pregnant After Endometriosis Surgery?
Researchers from Argentina developed a decision tree that can help identify patients who might need assisted reproduction techniques to become pregnant following endometriosis surgery. This way, the time between surgery and pregnancy could be minimized and the overall outcome may be improved. To identify factors that play a role in natural conception following endometriosis surgery, a team of researchers led by Dr. Diego Gnocchi from FERTILIS Medicina Reproductiva in Buenos Aires, Argentina conducted a retrospective study between 2014 and 2020 and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Painful Sex Might Be a Valid Indication for Endometriosis Surgery
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 can inform patients that surgery is effective in reducing endometriosis-related pain symptoms,” the authors of the study wrote. “From our data, we can conclude that patients with rectovaginal endometriosis might benefit the most from the reduction of their sexual pain”.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Self-Compassion May Help Cope With Endometriosis
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 positive coping styles to manage the symptoms of the disease and maintain a high health-related quality of life. “Interventions targeting self-compassion may be a promising tool to improve well-being in individuals with endometriosis,” the authors of the study said. It…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on the Molecular Mechanism of Endometriosis Lesion Formation
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 finding sheds light on the potential mechanism of endometriosis formation and progression and may help researchers develop new treatments against the disease in the future. To study the potential role of NOD1 in ectopic endometrial lesions, a team of researchers from…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long-term Dienogest Treatment and the Chance of Conceiving With IVF
It is not clear whether long-term treatment with dienogest before in vitro fertilization (IVF) affects pregnancy and live birth rates in women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. “Given limited data and very low evidence quality, doubts arise about the benefits of long-term dienogest pre-treatment before conventional IVF in endometriosis patients,” the authors of the study concluded. To assess the efficacy of dienogest in patients with endometriosis undergoing IVF, the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does The Severity of Endometriosis Pain Affect the Chance of Having a Baby With IVF?
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 deciding between assisted reproduction and surgery in women with endometriosis who are infertile should be based on a “multitude of aspects” instead of just focusing on a single point such as pain, according to the authors. These aspects should include the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Identifies Best Questionnaires to Assess Sexual Function in Patients With Endometriosis
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ) have the best measurement properties according to the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria for the measurement of sexual function in women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. While the FSFI is more suitable for evaluating medical treatment, the SAQ is best for surgical treatment. The Subjective Impact of Dyspareunia Inventory (SIDI) is the…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Predictive Model Can Identify Minimal and Mild Endometriosis
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 women for minimal or mild endometriosis, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and treatment,” they wrote in a report that they published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. It can be difficult to accurately identify endometriosis, especially in the early stages…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can We Reliably Measure Sleep Quality in Women With Endometriosis?
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 the questionnaires seem not to be adequate for these women. “. . . we can probably rely on both questionnaire scores”, the authors of the study said, “yet their recommended cutoff values should be approached with caution”. The team of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Vitamin D Levels Associated With Endometriosis Risk
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 D3 levels and understand whether maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels could help prevent endometriosis. There is currently no consensus on the association between vitamin D and endometriosis. In the present study, a team of researchers from China led by Dr.…
Key Points Lay Summary