Understanding Endometriosis
The endometrium is the uterine lining that sheds, or sloughs off, during menses. During the course of a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium begins to thicken progressively through follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase, until the onset of menses when the endometrium sheds. The normal pattern endometrial growth and shedding allows for maintenance of tissue health for implantation of a fertilized egg (zygote) should pregnancy occur.
Endometriosis is a condition when tissue, like the endometrial lining of the uterus, begins to grow outside of the uterus. Endometriosis affects approximately 11 percent of women in the United States and 10 percent globally between the ages of 15 and 44. In most cases, Endometriosis primarily forms around the reproductive tissues and organs, i.e., ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding pelvic tissue, however, in more advanced cases, it may expand beyond the pelvic region and impact additional surrounding organ systems, like the gastro intestinal tract. Endometriosis is often painful and may progress without treatment or intervention because tissue grown outside of the uterus doesn’t clear or shed with menses, resulting in the formation of scar tissue and adhesions to form around the organs or tissues impacted by Endometriosis.
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but is suspected to be a result of multiple factors, including retrograde menstruation, genetic propensity, hormonal imbalance, uterine abnormalities, and metabolic health. Unfortunately, due to the lack of understanding of Endometriosis, current treatment has been generally limited to symptomatic intervention, e.g., oral contraceptives, NSAIDS, and in advanced cases, surgical intervention. However, recent research regarding bacterial infection and exacerbation of Endometriosis may offer new insight in the treatment of this condition for patients in the future.
A recent study published in the Journal of Science of Translational Medicine has revealed that a specific bacteria may be a major contributory factor to the advancement of endometriosis. The study analyzed 76 healthy women and 79 women with endometriosis, revealing that 64 percent of those with endometriosis had a bacterium called Fusobacterium in their uterine lining, whereas only 7 percent of healthy women had it. Fusobacterium is a naturally occurring bacterium commonly found in the mouth, gut, and vaginal region. Researchers believe that this bacterium is responsible for the physical changes seen in endometriosis.
To confirm their findings, female mice were infected with Fusobacterium and treated with specific antibiotics—metronidazole and chloramphenicol. The treatment resulted in a reduction in the size and frequency of lesions commonly associated with endometriosis. These results suggest that by targeting and eliminating Fusobacterium through antibiotic treatment, it may be possible to disrupt the processes that lead to the progression and symptoms of endometriosis.
Additional research has explored the role of the gut microbiome in endometriosis. Evidence suggests that an altered gut microbiome could play a crucial role in the progression of the disease. Modifying the composition of microbiomes may potentially offer therapeutic benefits for treating endometriosis in humans.
This breakthrough study brings hope for women suffering from endometriosis, offering a potential avenue for curing this challenging condition. As your healthcare provider, we remain committed to staying abreast of the latest research to provide you with the best possible care.
If you have any questions or concerns about endometriosis or other health matters, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you on your journey to better health and well-being.
Author: Joseph Matovich