Gynecologic Network Meeting Spotlights Areas for Endometriosis Research
Women with endometriosis and related pelvic pain may face high incidence of abnormal sleep, Paul Yong, MD, PhD, FRCSC, with the University of British Columbia shared during a June Gynecologic Network meeting hosted by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR). Dr. Yong presented the findings of his research, “The Impact of Sleep Quality in Women with Endometriosis.”
Among the insights Dr. Yong shared were that poorer sleep in women with endometriosis was associated with decreased pain thresholds across the body; endometriosis was associated with greater orexin neuron activation in the brain; and women with endometriosis and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) had more sleep apnea episodes than women with CFS alone.
Network members commented on the importance of Dr. Yong’s research, recognizing that pain and menstrual cramping are major drivers for worsened sleep in endometriosis patients and discussed potential areas of research opportunity on the subject. Specifically, they discussed the need to explore the differences in abnormal sleep patterns between adolescents and adults with endometriosis to understand if pain and abnormal sleep depend on age. Studies should also examine the specifics on their pain, such as the length and severity of pain episodes and how wide spread they are.
In discussing possible solutions to abnormal sleep in these endometriosis patients, Dr. Yong cited the promise of melatonin, which helps with sleep regulation and possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Dr. Young also indicated that melatonin has been shown to decrease endometriosis in some research models. Network members agreed that the use of melatonin in endometriosis areas held great promise but that more research was needed.
Advancing endometriosis research requires both awareness and policy measures—two factors which often go hand in hand—network members raised. For example, network members referred to EndoAct Canada, a program with the goal of driving policy action on endometriosis in Canada. Through its advocacy, EndoAct Canada successfully led to Ontario being the first Canadian province to hold an Endometriosis Awareness Month, which took place in March 2022. In the United States, SWHR, in partnership with other scientific, public health, patient advocacy organizations, and federal policymakers recognize Endometriosis Awareness Month each year in March. Further, thanks to work from advocates and policymakers, earlier this year, the Endometriosis CARE Act was introduced in Congress.
Efforts like these, along with dedicated endometriosis institutions and resources, such as the Boston Center for Endometriosis and SWHR’s endometriosis stigma paper, both mentioned during the meeting, can continue to drive endometriosis care forward for women across the lifespan.
About SWHR’s Gynecologic Health Network
SWHR’s Gynecologic Health Network focuses on endometriosis, urology, and uterine fibroids. SWHR Science Networks comprise interdisciplinary groups of researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and other health care leaders with expertise related to a specific disease, condition, or health topic. These Network members engage in scientific, policy, outreach, and education projects focused on identifying and eliminating barriers in women’s health care.
Women with endometriosis and related pelvic pain may face high incidence of abnormal sleep, Paul Yong, MD, PhD, FRCSC, with the University of British Columbia shared during a June Gynecologic Network meeting hosted by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR). Dr. Yong presented the findings of his research, “The Impact of Sleep Quality in Women with Endometriosis.”
Among the insights Dr. Yong shared were that poorer sleep in women with endometriosis was associated with decreased pain thresholds across the body; endometriosis was associated with greater orexin neuron activation in the brain; and women with endometriosis and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) had more sleep apnea episodes than women with CFS alone.
Network members commented on the importance of Dr. Yong’s research, recognizing that pain and menstrual cramping are major drivers for worsened sleep in endometriosis patients and discussed potential areas of research opportunity on the subject. Specifically, they discussed the need to explore the differences in abnormal sleep patterns between adolescents and adults with endometriosis to understand if pain and abnormal sleep depend on age. Studies should also examine the specifics on their pain, such as the length and severity of pain episodes and how wide spread they are.
In discussing possible solutions to abnormal sleep in these endometriosis patients, Dr. Yong cited the promise of melatonin, which helps with sleep regulation and possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Dr. Young also indicated that melatonin has been shown to decrease endometriosis in some research models. Network members agreed that the use of melatonin in endometriosis areas held great promise but that more research was needed.
Advancing endometriosis research requires both awareness and policy measures—two factors which often go hand in hand—network members raised. For example, network members referred to EndoAct Canada, a program with the goal of driving policy action on endometriosis in Canada. Through its advocacy, EndoAct Canada successfully led to Ontario being the first Canadian province to hold an Endometriosis Awareness Month, which took place in March 2022. In the United States, SWHR, in partnership with other scientific, public health, patient advocacy organizations, and federal policymakers recognize Endometriosis Awareness Month each year in March. Further, thanks to work from advocates and policymakers, earlier this year, the Endometriosis CARE Act was introduced in Congress.
Efforts like these, along with dedicated endometriosis institutions and resources, such as the Boston Center for Endometriosis and SWHR’s endometriosis stigma paper, both mentioned during the meeting, can continue to drive endometriosis care forward for women across the lifespan.
About SWHR’s Gynecologic Health Network
SWHR’s Gynecologic Health Network focuses on endometriosis, urology, and uterine fibroids. SWHR Science Networks comprise interdisciplinary groups of researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and other health care leaders with expertise related to a specific disease, condition, or health topic. These Network members engage in scientific, policy, outreach, and education projects focused on identifying and eliminating barriers in women’s health care.