Every year at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting, more than 5,000 experts from around the world gather to discuss the most exciting and groundbreaking developments in reproductive medicine, including endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects an estimated one in 10 women and can have significant impact on patient function and quality of life. It occurs when the cells that normally line the uterus begin to grow outside of the uterus, leading to long-term pelvic pain (during or between periods), pain with intercourse, infertility and other painful symptoms. Here are 5 things to know about the disease:
1. Even though it is one of the most common gynecological disorders in America, there is a lack of awareness and prioritization of endometriosis as an important women’s health issue. Patients with endometriosis can suffer for 6 to 10 years before proper diagnosis.
2. Despite ongoing research efforts, currently there are no known biomarkers for endometriosis. Definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is made through visualization of lesions via surgery, including laparoscopy.
3. A new study presented at this year’s ASRM annual meeting examined both direct and indirect costs associated with endometriosis-related surgery, and found that among endometriosis patients, surgical patients faced higher costs than those who did not require surgical treatments. The same relationship, higher costs for surgical patients, was also found for indirect costs such as short term disability and absence from work.
4. An additional study found endometriosis has a significant economic burden in the U.S., averaging $12,118 per patient per year in direct costs like surgeries and medications and $15,737 per patient per year in indirect costs like absenteeism or loss of productivity.
5. There is no cure for endometriosis and there have been few recent scientific advancements for patients suffering from endometriosis. Currently, physicians have limited options for the long-term medical management of endometriosis and are in need of additional treatment options to help manage this chronic and painful disease.
Dr. Taylor is the Anita O'Keeffe Young Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is also Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University. His clinical research focuses on implantation, endometriosis, and menopause. Dr. Taylor has published more than 200 articles and in leading medical journals.