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.
Current Endometriosis Scales Fail to Capture Patient-Reported Symptoms
Pain during periods is associated with higher pain intensity in women with endometriosis, according to a new study by Portuguese researchers. On the other hand, painful urination is associated with lower pain intensity. Importantly, pain intensity is not associated with endometriosis stage, while chronic pelvic pain seems to be more common among women in the advanced stages of endometriosis. These findings suggest that scales that offer more accurate anatomical descriptions of endometriosis and are more closely aligned with patients’ symptoms…
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How Second Medical Opinions Transform Endometriosis Diagnosis
Seeking a second medical opinion from an endometriosis expert can make a meaningful difference for patients whose pain has been unsuccessfully treated or whose diagnosis remains uncertain, according to a new nationwide study from France. In this study, researchers led by Dr. Sofiane Bendifallah from the American Hospital of Paris analyzed data from a national digital platform that connects patients with expert physicians for second medical opinions. Between January 2020 and March 2024, 3,061 patients requested a second opinion for suspected or…
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Can Pelvic Floor–Focused Exercise Help Endometriosis Pain?
Supervised group exercise or independent individual exercise, including pelvic floor muscle training added to multidisciplinary pain management, did not reduce worst pelvic or genital pain in women with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Physiotherapy. However, the interventions were associated with improvements in current pelvic or genital pain. “Effects on other outcomes warrant further investigation,” the authors noted. To examine the impact of exercise on symptoms such as dyspareunia, dysuria, quality of life (including psychological distress…
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Advanced Endometriosis and Cardiometabolic Risk: Evidence From Lipid Biomarkers
A new study from the United States suggests that advanced forms of endometriosis, particularly ovarian endometriosis (endometriomas) alone or combined with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), are associated with unfavorable blood lipid profiles, which are known markers of cardiometabolic risk. The research was published in the Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. The investigators examined lipid biomarkers in 476 women enrolled in the ENDO cohort to determine whether cardiometabolic alterations vary according to endometriosis stage and disease phenotype. Importantly, having a diagnosis…
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Rethinking Pain in Deep Endometriosis
A new study published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics reports that more than one-third of women with deep endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain exhibit neuropathic-like pain, a pain phenotype associated with greater symptom severity and poorer quality of life. In this retrospective cohort study, Dolci and colleagues analyzed 149 patients treated at a tertiary pain center in Lille, France. Pain characteristics were assessed using validated instruments, including the DN4 questionnaire for neuropathic pain, the Saint-Antoine Pain Questionnaire for sensory…
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Endometriosis and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Show Strong Epidemiologic Overlap
A new study from researchers in Grenada suggests a significant association between endometriosis and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)—two chronic, debilitating conditions that share symptoms of inflammation, immune activation, and profound fatigue. The research team, led by Dr. Prakash VAK Ramdass from the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at St. George's University, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify whether the two diseases tend to occur together more often than expected. Their analysis, published in the journal…
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MRI-Based Scoring System Predicts Surgical Approach in Rectosigmoid Endometriosis
Researchers in the United States have developed a new MRI-based scoring system to help predict which type of surgery may be required for patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis. The scoring system is designed to estimate the likelihood of muscularis propria involvement, a key factor that influences whether a patient needs a conservative discoid excision or a more extensive segmental bowel resection. In a study published in Abdominal Radiology, a team led by Dr. Wendaline M. VanBuren at the Mayo Clinic analyzed the records and preoperative…
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Patient Voices Highlight Barriers in Endometriosis Management
Collaboration between patients with endometriosis and healthcare professionals can meaningfully illuminate gaps in care, according to a new study by Spanish researchers published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Led by Dr. Francisco Carmona of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and the University of Barcelona, the team used a participatory action research approach—a method that actively engages patients as contributors rather than as passive subjects—to better understand the unmet needs of individuals living with endometriosis. Eighteen patients were selected through…
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The ENZIAN System Provides a Unique Language Among Clinicians
A new study from India highlights how the #ENZIAN classification system provides a clearer and more detailed way to describe endometriosis lesions compared with traditional systems. The findings, published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, emphasize ENZIAN’s value as a shared language among radiologists, surgeons, and clinicians—especially when dealing with the complex anatomy of deep infiltrating endometriosis. The research team, led by Dr. N. Balakrishna from the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Hyderabad, retrospectively evaluated…
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Being thorough Is More Important Than Being Fast in Endometriosis Surgery
Longer surgical times are not associated with a higher risk of short-term postoperative complications in patients with stage 3 or 4 endometriosis undergoing minimally invasive surgery, according to a new study published in BMC Women’s Health. However, longer procedures were independently linked to a higher likelihood of overnight hospital admission. “These findings underscore the need to prioritize surgical thoroughness over speed in complex endometriosis cases,” the authors of the study concluded. The research team led by Dr. Raanan Meyer from the…
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Preoperative Endometriosis Prediction Using Machine Learning
Machine learning algorithms can predict endometriosis before surgery by analyzing patients’ clinical characteristics, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. The researchers found that factors such as retrocervical tenderness, crampy pelvic pain, and regular menstrual cycles can assist clinicians in identifying women likely to have endometriosis. These findings could help primary care physicians recognize the disease earlier and refer patients for specialized evaluation and treatment. “Further validation in diverse populations is necessary to develop…
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Women with Endometriosis Need Motivation-Focused Exercise Plans
Women with endometriosis who experience low motivation and limited psychological support are six to seven times less likely to engage in physical activity, according to a new study by researchers in Brazil. The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions that strengthen motivation and help women maintain regular exercise routines. To explore how motivational factors influence physical activity, a team led by Dr. Manuela Karloh from the Center for Assistance, Teaching, and Research in Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Santa Catarina State…
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Lesion Localization Determines IVF Outcomes in Adenomyosis
The localization of anenomyosis can affect the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. It is, therefore, paramount to evaluate and localize adenomyotic lesions before starting assisted reproduction. This can help in effective counseling and personalized treatment approaches to ensure the best reproductive outcomes are reached. To assess the effect of the localization of diffuse adenomyosis on reproductive outcomes following frozen embryo transfer, a team of researchers led by…
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Global Endometriosis Burden in Decline
Over the past three decades, the global burden of surgically confirmed endometriosis has shown a steady decline, reflecting advances in awareness, diagnostics, and healthcare infrastructure. However, this apparent progress conceals a more complex picture: while per-capita rates have fallen, the total number of women affected worldwide continues to rise, driven by population growth and persistent regional inequalities. In a comprehensive analysis published in BMJ Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Li and collegues examined data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 project across 204…
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Endometriosis Still Diagnosed Late, Despite National Awareness Efforts
There are still significant delays in the diagosis of moderate and severe endometriosis, particularly among younger patients, despite ongoing efforts by public health authorities to increase awareness of the disease. This conclusion comes from a new study by researchers in France, published in the Journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. The authors emphasize that more research is needed to determine the long-term impact of the French National Endometriosis Public Health Plan, launched in February 2022 to improve awareness among healthcare professionals and…
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Three Percent of Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals Have Endiometriosis
Endometriosis affects 3.1% of transgender and gender diverse individuals, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. “This finding differs from previous literature as it reports a lower prevalence compared to cisgender women and to other studies on [transgender and gender diverse] people,” the authors if the studyt noted. “This is potentially due to prolonged use of testosterone and early initiation of gender-affirming care”. To analyze the prevalence of surgically confirmed endometriosis in transgender and gender diverse…
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Fewer Non-White Women Are Referred to a Pelvic Pain Specialist
Black women with endometriosis receive more hormonal treatment, pain medication, and surgical treatment compared to non-Black women, found a new study conducted using data from an integrated health care system. However, the rate of referral to a pelvic pain specialist was lower among all women who were not White. This, the authors of the study said, underscores “the need to better understand care allocation”. To evaluate racial disparities in endometriosis management, a team of researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and…
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Study Points to Polygenic Etiology in Familial Endometriosis
A team of researchers from Italy identified new genes that may be associated with endometriosis. The team analyzed a multi-generational family affected by the disease. Their findings support a polygenic model of the disease, i.e., a model where more than one gene is involved, the researchers explained “Our study is an exploratory family-based . . . study, and replication and functional studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings,” they wrote in a report that they published in the scientific journal…
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Uncovering a New Molecular Driver in Endometriosis
The transcription factor SOX18 (SRY-related high-mobility group box 18) has been identified as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine by a team from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, China. Endometriosis is already known to be associated with elevated SOX18 expression in ectopic compared with eutopic endometrial tissue. In this study, Dr. Jiayan Wu and colleagues investigated the expression pattern of SOX18 in women with…
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Inflammation, Analgesic Use, and Pelvic Pain: Evidence From Women With and Without Endometriosis
Pain during intercourse and pain with bowel movements are associated with inflammatory markers in women without endometriosis, found a new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. On the other hand, the link between symptoms of pelvic pain and inflammatory markers in women with endometriosis differed based on the use of painkillers. “The complex relationship between inflammation and pelvic pain, including among those without a diagnosis of endometriosis, warrants further research,” the authors of the study said. The…
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