Break The Silence: The Fight For Endometriosis Research

Endometriosis is a complex, and very often, a misunderstood GYN condition. Funding for endometriosis research is not sufficient for the number of women who suffer with the disease.

Mild cases can affect one woman to the point of crippling her for days, while another woman with a more severe stage may not show any outward symptoms. It can affect personal relationships, work, self esteem, and fertility.

According to a recent article in CNBC, it is estimated that endometriosis costs the United States $119 Billion annually in both medical costs and loss of production.

“There’s a little-known but extremely common disease afflicting 1 in every 10 women in the United States and costing the nation an estimated $119 billion annually. Many women struggle in silence, not even knowing they have it. The disorder is known as endometriosis and can affect women of all ages. …The $119 billion cost estimate assumes 10 percent prevalence rate of endometriosis among women of reproductive age. Globally, endometriosis affects at least 176 million women, and experts believe the real number is higher due to undiagnosed cases. ” @DinaGusovsky

CNBC | Women Suffering In Silence: The Endometriosis Crisis

In a follow-up article, Guskovsky writes “Lack of funding and research devoted to the disease are among the reasons many women are left to suffer in silence.

The National Institutes of Health has a total 2016 budget of $32.3 billion. Of that, total funding for endometriosis is $11 million this year and projected to be similar in 2017.

To put that into perspective, although endometriosis affects a large percentage of the female population, the disease gets less research funding than adolescent sexual activity and teenage pregnancy.”

CNBC | Celebrities are coming out for this neglected health issue

Despite the dearth of research funding at the National Institutes of Health, organizations like Endometriosis Foundation of America, Endometriosis Research Center, Nancy’s Nook on Facebook, EndoSupport, and The Endometriosis Network Canada undertake efforts to help women get the information they need about endometriosis, share information with each other, and have been drawing together to get more recognition for endometriosis within the medical industry.

These organizations provide support and the most up-to-date information available.

ENDOMETRIOSIS RESEARCH: THE BENEFITS OF AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS

When diagnosed and treated early, women have better long-term control of pain. There is a higher chance that the treatment will be more effective, and there will be less damage to the reproductive system. The current state of apathy towards endometriosis research reflects the long-touted claim that pelvic pain is normal. Perpetuating the myth that pain is part of a woman’s monthly period can cause irreversible harm. Delaying diagnosis and treatment gives endometriosis time to do a lot of damage, even beyond the intense pain.

Endometriosis has no cure. It is a condition that can be effectively treated by an experienced specialist with medical therapy (including pain medication and hormone therapy), and surgery (primarily endometriosis excision, also known as resection, and resection of pelvic adhesions that often form in response to the inflammation).

MINIMALLY INVASIVE ENDOMETRIOSIS EXPERTS AT CIGC

At The Center for Innovative GYN Care, our minimally invasive GYN surgical specialists are fellowship trained in advanced techniques that are used for minimally invasive endometriosis excision, pelvic adhesion removal and bladder, bowel and ureter repair. They treat women with complex conditions using DualPortGYN. This technique was developed by the CIGC specialists to help women recover faster from surgery, so that they can get back to their lives faster.

We partner with other endometriosis awareness groups to make sure our patients have the most up-to-date information and access to support. Keep up with Lena Dunham and Halsey as they share their experience with endometriosis. When it comes to effective long term relief, it is important to find the best endometriosis doctor available.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

GYN surgical specialists can often see women sooner because they are focused entirely on surgery. Each patient gets detailed, in depth attention from Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul J. MacKoul. This personalized care helps patients understand their condition and the recommended treatment so that they can have confidence from the very start. Our surgeons have performed over 20,000 GYN procedures and are constantly finding better ways to improve outcomes for patients.

Book a consultation today with Paul MacKoul MD or Natalya Danilyants MD.

Offices are conveniently located throughout the Washington D.C. area in Rockville, Reston, and Annapolis, MD. Women looking for a GYN specialist for a laparoscopic hysterectomy, endometriosis excision or fibroid removal travel to CIGC from around the world.