This is an issue for women. Endometriosis. About 3 million cases a year are reported. It is a most painful disorder, related to when the endometrium (the inside the uterus) manages to grow outside the uterus. The pain manifests in the fallopian tube, the pelvic tissue lining, and the ovaries.
The tissue thickens, breaks down, and then bleeds during each menstrual cycle. But, it can’t exit the body- it is trapped outside the uterus, which means the decayed tissue irritates the region, and can lead to scar tissue and adhesions (bands of fibrous tissue that develops bonds between pelvic tissues and organs). It can also lead to fertility problems. The only cure for endometriosis has been the removal of reproductive organs. (Stopping one’s periods [birth control] alleviates the pain and minimizes the tissue loss, but it is not a cure.)
The question has been why do some folks get this condition, while others are never subject to it. Not having a link means treatment options are somewhat limited. New research indicates that there is a link between gut bacteria (microbes in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract) and the disease.
A slew of researchers from Nagoya University (those from other institutions are detailed herein) Drs. A Muraoka, M Suzuki, T Hamaguchi, S Watanbe, K Iijima, Y murofushi, K Shinjo, S Osuka, Y Hariyama (Toyota Kosei Hospital), M Ito, K Ohno, T Kiyono (National Cancer Center), S Kyo (Shimane University) , A Iwase (Gunma University) , F Kikkawa, H Kjaiyama, and Y Kondo published their findings in Science Translational Medicine: Fusobacterium infection facilitates the development of endometriosis though the phenotypic transition of endometrial fibroblasts. Dr. Kondo was the lead author.
A study of 155 Japanese women were subject to vaginal swabs. (76 were healthy; 79 had endometriosis.) 64% of those with endometriosis had the fusobacterium microbe; 7% of the endometriosis-free females also had the microbe. The link was then further studied-and when mice were injected with fusobacterium, they found an increase in endometriotic lesions. (Note: some strains of fusobacterium are harmless; others are associated with tonsilitis and periodontitis.) Treatment for those with the microbe with an antibiotic reduced the size and frequency of the lesions.
This research does not provide a cure- but it could help the search for potential therapies.
An inlaw suffered terribly from this; she underwent surgeries and ended up adopting her children (who are grown now). A link between gut bacteria and endometriosis– I hope it can be that simple. It would change the lives of millions of women.
Me, too, Alana. When I read this, I was heartrened. I know of many folks who have suffered this ocndition and owuld love to see it eradicated.