Researchers in Sydney have made a breakthrough in endometriosis that could change the way the disease is treated and improve the health of women living with the condition.
Researchers have grown tissue from every known type of endometriosis, observing the changes and comparing how they respond to treatments. This means that researchers will be able to vary treatments and cures depending on the different types of endometriosis.
Professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Jason Abbott, said the development is comparable to those made in the treatment of breast cancer three decades ago.
"Thirty years ago, we treated all breast cancers the same," he said. "We now know that there are many different types of breast cancer and we treat them accordingly."
"By knowing the type of endometriosis, we will be able to predict whether a patient is likely to experience an aggressive, invasive form of the disease and offer treatment to preserve her fertility."
Endometriosis is about the growth of tissue outside the uterus that should actually develop inside it. These tissues are unable to leave the body and can cause a lot of pain and even other complications, including infertility.
Symptoms of endometriosis often appear before the age of 30 and can include heavy menstrual discharge, painful menstrual cramps, pain during or after sex, pain during defecation, abdominal or back pain, and difficulty conceiving. .
Endometriosis can appear in the first menstrual cycle, which can make the affected person think that such a high level of pain is something normal. Another reason why a person may not identify the symptoms of endometriosis is because they are cyclical, meaning they occur at the same time as the menstrual cycle.
The lack of discussion about this issue and the shame, often mean that women who suffer from this are never diagnosed, making their lives extremely difficult.
