The Endometriosis–Brain Connection
A study published in Communications Biology (Nature Portfolio), the teaam led by Dr. Scott Holmes at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, explored whether long-standing endometriosis-associated pain is linked to differences in brain structure, and whether these patterns vary with age. The researchers…
Key Points Lay SummaryLaparoscopic Pudendal Neurolysis: A Solution for Entrapment-Related Pelvic Pain
Pudendal neuralgia is a debilitating condition marked by chronic neuropathic pain in areas innervated by the pudendal nerve, often worsening with sitting and accompanied by urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions. Central sensitization—a heightened nervous system reactivity—affects nearly half of these…
Key Points Lay SummaryLinking Endometriosis to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The macula, the central region of the retina, is crucial for sharp central vision and the color perception. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) primarily affects this area and progresses through different stages, ranging from early to advanced forms. AMD has two…
Key Points Lay SummaryGenetic Insights into Brain Networks and Their Impact on Endometriosis Risk
While the exact origins of endometriosis are still not fully understood, emerging evidence points to the central nervous system (CNS) as a significant factor in the development and persistence of the condition. The CNS is responsible for processing pain signals,…
Key Points Lay SummaryDiaphragma central tendon and catamenial pneumothorax
Endometriosis typically involves ectopic endometrial tissue in pelvic organs, such as the bladder, ovaries, and uterine ligaments, leading to symptoms like dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dyschezia. A rare form occurs in the diaphragm, causing catamenial pneumothorax. Management often includes hormone therapy…
Key Points Lay SummaryExploring the underlying causes of orgasm-related pain in endometriosis
As one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis, pain may involve peripheral or central mechanisms resulting in different pain sensations. Female orgasm pain is an underexplored condition associated with pelvic floor myalgia and uterine factors like adenomyosis, likely due to…
Key Points Lay SummaryAn often overlooked symptom: Sleep disorders in patients with endometriosis
Recent reports suggested that women with endometriosis have more frequent complaints of poor sleep, reduced quality of life, and higher pain scores when compared with healthy women. Patients experience fatigue and increased pain the day after insomnia. For this reason,…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe effect of medical treatment on sexual function and quality of life in women with endometriosis
Women with endometriosis suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain, all of which has significant negative consequences on their physical and psychological health regarding sexual function, work and social relationships. Biasioli et al. from Italy, published an article entitled…
Key Points Lay SummaryObjective Assessment of Pain Sensitization in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain
There are objective elements that can help assess the presence of central sensitization, independently of psychological factors, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This is the first study that assessed whether central sensitization…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe role of neurogenic inflammation in endometriosis
Prof. Mechsner from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany presented on neuroimmunomodulation and its clinical impact on endometriosis at the Annual International Medical Conference of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Endometriosis is a complex disease and the main symptoms are all pain-related. The pain mechanisms are…
Key Points Lay SummaryEndometriosis and the possible mechanisms of pain.
The most common clinical symptoms of endometriosis are chronic pelvic pain and infertility. It is often not enough to treat pain symptoms with hormonal therapy or a surgical approach. Moreover, the stage of endometriosis has weakly associated with the amount,…
Key Points Lay SummaryChronic pelvic pain and endometriosis
Patients may have an average of 7 clinical visits before being diagnosed with endometriosis. Understanding chronic pain conditions including endometriosis-associated pain, and developing chronic pelvic pain benefits the management of the patients. The role of central sensitization, comorbid conditions, and…
Key Points Lay SummaryPersistence of Chronic Pelvic Pain after Hysterectomy
Chronic pelvic pain is defined as the "pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer". There are several gynecological, urological, and gastrointestinal reasons for the development of chronic pelvic pain. Nociceptive pain or central sensitization is…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe clues for pain and infertility in endometriosis/adenomyosis complex
Drs. Gruber and Mechsner from Charite University-Berlin, Germany published their comprehensive review on pathophysiological background of endometriosis and adenomyosis in the scientific periodical “Cells”. Chronic pain and fertility problems are the main clinical issue in endometriosis and adenomyosis patients. In order to…
Key Points Lay SummaryWomen with Persistent Pelvic Pain Have a Lower Pain Threshold
Women with persistent pelvic pain, whether this is caused by endometriosis or other reason, have a significantly reduced pain threshold compared to women without persistent pelvic pain. This is according to a study by researchers in Sweden, which was published…
Key Points Lay SummaryPain Education or Cognitive Therapy Could Help Women with Endometriosis
Women with endometriosis have a significantly lower pain tolerance regardless of the intensity of the pain they experience or the severity of their disease, according to a study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. Although pain is the…
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