Written by Dr Brett McKinnon, Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ Endometriosis in the family It is something you have probably noticed. Research supports the chances that endometriosis will run in the family. If someone in your family has it, you are more at risk of also suffering from endometriosis. This link is because genetics have a role in the risk of the diseases developing. It has been estimated that up to 50% of the risk of suffering from endometriosis is genetic. How and whether we can use that to improve diagnosis and management is an important question. What are ..read more

That is a saying a fellow Endo Warrior told me a few years ago and recently I realised exactly what she meant. You see, I recently found myself in a group of wonderful women, all brought together by Endo Trek 2022! Scrolling through the internet at the start of 2022, I knew I wanted to do something exciting with my year, but I had no idea what kind of adventures would await me. Just like that, however, I stumbled across a social media post about a trek to raise funds for endometriosis research and to raise awareness around the disease that affects 1 in 9 women, girls, and those who are gender ..read more

Let’s begin with a proper introduction, starting with pronunciation. Endometriosis is pronounced en-doh-mee-tree-oh-sis. In recent years, endometriosis has gained some attention; chances are you’re familiar with the word. As little as 10 years ago, this was not the case. On my glass-half-full days, I am impressed by the strides being made. The government has developed an action plan and injected much-needed funding towards endometriosis awareness, education, management, care, and research. Prominent figures are sharing their journeys, and, at least in my circles, when I talk about endometrios ..read more

Have you got a BFF who’s recently confided in you that they’ve recently been diagnosed with endometriosis? If you don’t know too much about it, you’re most likely worried about your friend and figuring out how to help. By simply letting them know that you’re there, you’re willing to help and are supportive will make a huge difference in the way they manage their endo. Learn about endo Learn about endometriosis and empower yourself with knowledge about the condition. The more you know, the more you can support your friend. When Googling, seek out trusted medical information and always look at ..read more

Well done you, your surgery has been and gone! Whilst the big event is finally over, it’s important to keep on top of what you need to do once you’re awake and home from the hospital, to ensure your post op recovery goes to plan. Here are our top 5 tips for your post-op recovery: 1. Follow post-operation medical instructions Your doctor or nursing staff will provide you with important information on what to do to help your recovery be as successful as it can be. Post operation information generally covers areas such as the after effects of the anaesthetic, how to care for your stitches, how t ..read more

So, you’ve recently been to the doctor, and they suspect you may have endometriosis. You’re booked in for a laparoscopy to investigate. It’s totally normal to feel worried about what’s going to happen and having to prepare for surgery, yet through a little planning, you can make sure your hospital stay is more comfortable. It’s a good idea to have an overnight bag sorted ahead of time, to save you unnecessary stress with last-minute drawer searching and packing. With one less thing to think about, you can focus on heading into your surgery calmer and with a clearer head. Whilst you might only ..read more

In Australia, people with period pain or other gynaecological symptoms can wait on average of 6.4 years before their symptoms are recognised as ,endometriosis (O’Hara 2020), however, this time to diagnosis has been decreasing recently, most like due to increased awareness from both doctors and patients (Armour 2020). There are many reasons why there is such a significant delay, the main one being that doctors have traditionally relied on surgery to confirm the ,endometriosis diagnosis and provide ,endometriosis treatment. Quite simply, there are not enough trained gynaecologists in Australia ..read more

Your periods are painful. Like off the charts painful. You’re bloated and tired all the time. You’re up in the early hours of the morning Googling these and other symptoms and suspect you might have endometriosis. So, what’s next? Book a doctor’s appointment For peace of mind, it’s always best to know what’s causing your condition than imagining the worst. Make a list of your symptoms and talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Initially, they may conduct a pelvic exam, but will most likely get you to have an ultrasound and/or MRI to investigate in more detail. They then will refe ..read more

Your periods are painful. Like off the charts painful. You’re bloated and tired all the time. You’re up in the early hours of the morning Googling these and other symptoms and suspect you might have endometriosis. So, what’s next? Book a doctor’s appointment For peace of mind, it’s always best to know what’s causing your condition than imagining the worst. Make a list of your symptoms and talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Initially, they may conduct a pelvic exam, but will most likely get you to have an ultrasound and/or MRI to investigate in more detail. They then will refe ..read more

An ultrasound of the scrotum attracts a higher government rebate than an ultrasound of a breast. It's just one example of the Gender Medicare Gap, writes Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Kara Thompson. ,Women's Agenda ..read more