Diagnostic delay in endometriosis is confirmed – but why?

A qualitative study has now been published describing women’s experiences of reaching a diagnosis of endometriosis. The authors call for more awareness of endometriosis to reduce 8.5 year diagnostic delay.
This paper, by Karen Ballard and colleagues, reports the findings of an interview-based study, where they set out to investigate women’s experiences of endometriosis, and in [...]

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The body-clock baby

Developed by Sheffield University fertility expert Professor Bill Ledger, Plan Ahead estimates a woman’s ‘ovarian reserve’ – the number of healthy eggs she has left. The £180 kit measures blood levels of three hormones – Inhibin B, AMH and FSH.
Levels of the first two drop as a woman approaches menopause, while FSH levels rise. [...]

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New cues to early identification of ovarian cancer

There are no screening guidelines or broadly-accepted screening techniques for identifying ovarian cancer.
A new study released by the American Cancer Society shows that a new symptom index may help identify ovarian cancer at an earlier stage.
The specific symptoms that are most often associated with ovarian cancer are pelvic and abdominal pain, increased [...]

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Doctor helps develop instrument to diagnose sources of pelvic pain

Dr. Richard Marvel, a physician in the Pelvic Panic Center at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, helped develop an instrument to diagnose several sources of pelvic pain. About 15 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 50 suffer chronic pelvic pain.
“Chronic pain tends to be a [...]

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A tough diagnosis that’s more difficult with youth

If endometriosis signs start early, it typically takes more than four exams to figure it out.
Historically, endometriosis — in which tissue from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, escapes and lodges in other areas — has been thought of as a problem of adult women. According to the National Institutes of Health, 5.5 [...]

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A new way to find invisible tumors

by Roland Piquepaille
An American doctor has developed a new surgery technique that enables surgeons to see tumors and other pathologies invisible with previous methods. This new ‘x-ray vision’ laparoscopic technology received the first prize for technical achievement at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). This new method incorporates specific [...]

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