Tackling the Endometriosis Diagnosis. Hackensack Meridian Health Experts Discuss the Gold Standard of Care Available Now

Newswise — This week Bindi Irwin shared on social media that she had had more than 50 lesions removed surgically in her continued painful battle with endometriosis – the condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the tissues holding the uterus in place, and sometimes on the bowels or bladder. In rare cases, it can grow on the lungs or other parts of the body. 

Personal stories such as Irwin’s highlight the debilitating reality of endometriosis, and as researchers explore advances in diagnosis, experts at Hackensack Meridian Health are available to discuss the current state of options available for women suffering with the disease. 

With an average diagnostic delay of seven to nine years, something that Irwin has shared in her long journey to get a diagnosis, endometriosis, remains a significant challenge for patients seeking answers and care. Most recently researchers in Scotland have been studying what would be a revolution in diagnosis – the creation of a rapid blood test for endometriosis  that would be used in a doctor’s office. 

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are pain and infertility. The pain can manifest as painful menstrual cramps that may radiate to the abdomen or lower back; pain during or after sex, chronic pelvic pain lasting six months or more and pain with bowel movements or urination, especially during menstruation. Other symptoms can include heavy or irregular periods, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, and spotting between periods. It’s important to note that the severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the extent of the disease.

Recently, in response to a long-standing problem with diagnostic delays with endometriosis,  the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists’ (ACOG) updated the guidelines for this inflammatory disease allowing doctors to diagnose and begin treating endometriosis based on a patient’s symptoms and a physical exam, without first needing to confirm the diagnosis with surgery.

“For many patients with endometriosis, symptoms have been minimized or normalized for years before they receive a diagnosis and treatment,” says Jocelyn Carlo, MD, OBGYN, F.A.C.O.G., director of gynecology, Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “When a major organization like American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) issues updated clinical guidance, it signals that endometriosis deserves a serious, structured, and evidence-based approach. Increased awareness on the national level helps shift both patient and physician perspectives towards this  complex and challenging disease. These updates recognize the long diagnostic journey many women face and provide clinicians with tools to act sooner, so we can treat the disease earlier, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life.”

Hackensack Meridian Health can discuss:

• The Realities of Diagnosis and the Gold Standard of Care: While a blood test is in development, laparoscopy remains the definitive method for diagnosing and treating endometriosis. Hackensack Meridian Health experts can explain diagnosis, from pelvic exams and imaging to the necessity of surgical intervention.
• Advanced Surgical Techniques: Hear from surgeons such as Dr. Yitzhack Asulin about the benefits of robotic-assisted laparoscopic excision surgery, a minimally invasive approach that removes growths and scar tissue while preserving healthy tissue. This technique is crucial for complex cases and for patients seeking to preserve fertility.
• The new American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists’ endometriosis guidelines which now allow doctors to now diagnose and begin treating endometriosis based on a patient’s symptoms and a physical exam, without first needing to confirm the diagnosis with surgery.
• Endometriosis and Fertility: Dr. Veronica Kim, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Hackensack University Medical Center, can speak to the challenges of conceiving with endometriosis and the various treatment options available to support pregnancy, from laparoscopic surgery to assisted reproductive technologies.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care: Endometriosis is a multifaceted condition. Hackensack Meridian Health’s approach involves a team of specialists, including gynecologic surgeons, pain management experts, and fertility specialists, to provide comprehensive and individualized care.
• Endometriosis in Adolescents: The condition can begin in adolescence, and early diagnosis is key. Dr. Heather Appelbaum, Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, can discuss the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating endometriosis in younger patients and the importance of specialized care. Dr. Applebaum is also involved in research efforts aimed at better understanding the disease.
• Ongoing Research and Hope for the Future: Hackensack Meridian Health is actively involved in research to improve the lives of those with endometriosis. A recent study from the network highlighted how surgical excision of endometriosis can improve lower urinary tract symptoms.

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