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Studies have shown that an estimated 20-40% of women will experience a recurrence of endometriosis symptoms within five years of surgery. Learning that your endometriosis is returning can be physically and mentally hard to cope with, so we are here to help you make the best, most educated choices about your body.
Symptoms
Symptoms of endometriosis recurrence are generally a resurgence of pelvic pain, painful sex, or continuing infertility. During this time, endometriosis lesions return after previously being removed, or continue growing because they were not fully removed during the initial surgery. Vaginal bleeding and lower back pain may be indicators that endo is returning as well.
Risk Factors
Younger women who have undergone more conservative surgery, had large cysts at the time of surgery, have never been pregnant before, and had more intense pain before surgery are more likely to see a resurgence of symptoms. Minor surgeries typically have an increased chance of returning endo symptoms, especially if lesions have not been completely removed.
Prevention and Treatment
If women see endometriosis symptoms returning, it is usually between 2-5 years of their surgery. It is important to make healthy lifestyle choices after surgery to reduce the chance of developing the condition again. Some experts recommend taking hormonal contraceptives after surgery, as some studies have shown it reduces the likelihood of resurgence. Hormone therapy can help you manage your symptoms and face less pain as well.
If you suspect that your endometriosis is returning, it may be best to consult your doctor about what the next steps are. Oftentimes, transvaginal ultrasounds can detect endometriosis recurrence by identifying lesions, allowing you to create a better treatment plan.
Education:
- Hamilton College 2002 – 2006 (B.A., Chemistry Major and Psychology Major)
- Cornell University 2006 – 2008 (M.S., Food Science)
- Cornell University 2009 – 2012 (Ph.D., Food Science)
Description:
Anne is an Angel investor & advisor. She is the author of “The Juicy Bite”, a successful CPG and Tech newsletter. Venture technology and startup scout, with over seven years of global CPG experience. Her background in holistic product design, sustainability, trends & technology identification, and consumer insights enables her to identify white space opportunities and areas for investment. With a Ph.D. in Food Science she brings great expertise and value to the Hormone University community.
About Anne:
“Anne is a real up-and-coming talent with world class training in the chemical senses, demonstrating in her burgeoning career an ability to translate fundamental scientific phenomena into pragmatic commercial relevance with impeccable collegiality to boot.”
