Endometriosis- New Discoveries and Options

Endometriosis Treatment Has Fallen Short for So Many Women

Endometriosis is a chronic, often debilitating condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, triggering inflammation, pain, and fertility challenges. Affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, the condition has long been underdiagnosed and misunderstood — and even today, many women still struggle to find effective, lasting relief.

Treatment Limitations: Hormones, Surgery, and Symptom Recurrence

Historically, treatment has focused on:

• Hormonal suppression (birth control pills, GnRH agonists)

• Laparoscopic surgery to remove lesions

• Hysterectomy, often considered a last-resort measure

Yet none of these options offer a cure. Hormonal therapies can reduce symptoms temporarily but often come with side effects and don’t address root causes like immune dysfunction or microbial imbalances. Surgical excision may reduce pain initially, but recurrence rates can be high — studies show pain can return in up to 50% of patients within five years of surgery.

The Hysterectomy Dilemma

A common misconception is that removing the uterus (hysterectomy) cures endometriosis. However, the disease can persist in tissues outside the uterus — including the ovaries, bowel, bladder, and pelvic wall.

• A 2020 review published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology found that over 60% of women who underwent hysterectomy for endometriosis still reported chronic pelvic pain post-surgery.

In fact, long-term pain relief from hysterectomy is often only achieved if both the uterus and ovaries are removed — which induces surgical menopause and can lead to its own complications.

Why Research Has Lagged Behind

Despite its prevalence, endometriosis remains underfunded and under-researched. For decades, diagnosis required invasive surgery, which created barriers to large-scale research. Only in recent years have we seen meaningful breakthroughs, like:

• Genetic overlaps with autoimmune diseases

• Discovery of Fusobacterium in endometrial lesions

• Promising developments in non-invasive diagnostics (e.g., menstrual blood and AI-enhanced imaging)

Until recently, most research focused on hormonal or surgical interventions, with minimal exploration into microbiome modulation, immune support, or non-hormonal therapies.

The Road Ahead: Rethinking Treatment Paradigms

There is growing recognition that endometriosis is a multi-system condition, not just a hormonal or gynecological issue. Emerging integrative approaches — including immune modulation, microbiome therapies, ozone therapy, and anti-inflammatory nutrition — are beginning to offer new hope for those who haven't found relief in conventional methods.

The future of endometriosis care lies not in silencing symptoms, but in personalized, root-cause-driven care that honors the complexity of the condition and the resilience of those who live with it.

Endometriosis and Autoimmunity: Unraveling the Connection

A groundbreaking study from the University of Oxford has unveiled a significant association between endometriosis and various autoimmune diseases. Analyzing genetic data from over 8,000 women with endometriosis, researchers found that these women had a 30–80% increased risk of developing autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and coeliac disease .BBCFacebook+3Technology Networks+3Medical Xpress+3

This discovery suggests that endometriosis may share common genetic pathways with these autoimmune diseases, pointing towards a shared underlying mechanism. The identification of this genetic overlap not only enhances our understanding of endometriosis but also opens avenues for potential targeted therapies and early interventions.

The Bacterial Culprit: Fusobacterium's Role in Endometriosis

While retrograde menstruation has been a widely accepted explanation for endometriosis, it doesn't account for all cases. Recent research has highlighted the role of Fusobacterium, a genus of bacteria commonly found in the human oral and gastrointestinal tracts, in the development of endometriosis.ResearchGate+1PubMed+1Wikipedia+1PMC+1

A study published in Science Translational Medicine revealed that 64% of women with endometriosis had Fusobacterium present in their endometrial tissue, compared to less than 10% in women without the condition . The presence of this bacterium appears to induce a phenotypic transformation in endometrial fibroblasts, leading them to adopt characteristics that promote adhesion, migration, and proliferation—key processes in the formation of endometriotic lesions.SciencePMC

Moreover, animal models treated with antibiotics targeting Fusobacterium showed a significant reduction in the formation of endometriotic lesions, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue .News-Medical

Implications for Treatment and Future Research

These findings collectively underscore the multifaceted nature of endometriosis, involving genetic, immunological, and microbial factors. Recognizing endometriosis as a condition with autoimmune characteristics and potential bacterial involvement could revolutionize its diagnosis and treatment.

Potential implications include:

• Diagnostic Advancements: Identifying specific bacterial markers like Fusobacterium in endometrial tissue could lead to non-invasive diagnostic tests.lemonde.fr+6PMC+6ResearchGate+6

• Targeted Therapies: Antibiotic treatments aimed at eradicating Fusobacterium may offer a novel approach to managing endometriosis, especially for patients unresponsive to hormonal therapies, in addition to integrative medicine options.

• Personalized Medicine: Understanding the genetic predispositions linking endometriosis to autoimmune diseases could pave the way for personalized treatment strategies.

As research continues to unravel the complexities of endometriosis, these insights bring hope for more effective interventions and improved quality of life for those affected

Non-Invasive Diagnostic Innovations

Blood-Based Testing
Researchers in Australia have developed a promising blood test that could dramatically reduce the average seven-year delay in diagnosing endometriosis. This test analyzes plasma samples for specific biomarkers associated with the condition, potentially enabling earlier and less invasive diagnosis. theaustralian

Menstrual Blood Analysis
Innovative startups like NextGen Jane and Qvin are exploring the use of menstrual blood to detect endometriosis and other health conditions. By analyzing biomarkers present in menstrual fluid, these companies aim to develop non-invasive diagnostic tools that could revolutionize reproductive healthcare. The New Yorker

Artificial Intelligence in Imaging

Advancements in AI are enhancing the accuracy of endometriosis diagnosis through imaging. A novel approach called Human-AI Collaborative Multi-modal Multi-rater Learning (HAICOMM) combines MRI data with expert annotations to improve detection of endometriosis-related anomalies. This method has shown higher accuracy than traditional assessments, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures. arXiv

Emerging Non-Hormonal Treatments

Targeting Inflammation
Yale researchers have identified specific immune cells that contribute to the inflammation associated with endometriosis. By targeting these cells, new treatments could alleviate pain and other symptoms without relying on hormonal therapies. YaleNews

Regenerative Medicine
Stem cell therapy is being explored as a potential treatment for endometriosis. Studies suggest that certain stem cells can repair damaged endometrial tissue and modulate the immune response, offering hope for restoring fertility and reducing chronic pain. News-Medical

Dietary Interventions

Low FODMAP Diet
A study by Monash University has shown that a low FODMAP diet, traditionally used for irritable bowel syndrome, can significantly alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis. Participants reported improvements in abdominal pain and bloating, enhancing their quality of life. heraldsun+1adelaidenow+1

Reducing Specific Foods
Survey data indicates that limiting the intake of alcohol, gluten, dairy, and caffeine may help reduce endometriosis-related pain. Over half of the respondents experienced pain relief by modifying their diets, highlighting the potential role of nutrition in managing symptoms. Verywell Health

Understanding the Immune System's Role

Recent research has uncovered the involvement of neutrophils, a type of immune cell, in the development of endometriosis lesions. These cells may create an environment that supports lesion growth, suggesting that therapies targeting neutrophil activity could be beneficial. Nature

Advancements in Care and Research

New Diagnostic Guidelines
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has updated its guidelines to recommend non-invasive imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and MRI, for diagnosing endometriosis. This shift aims to reduce reliance on surgical diagnosis and expedite treatment initiation. adelaidenow

Dedicated Research Centers
The establishment of the Seckin Endometriosis Research Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory marks a significant investment in endometriosis research. With substantial funding, the center focuses on uncovering the genetic basis of the disease and developing non-invasive diagnostic tools. New York Post

These developments represent a multifaceted approach to understanding and managing endometriosis, encompassing diagnostic innovation, treatment advancements, and holistic care strategies. As research continues to evolve, these breakthroughs offer hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for those affected by the condition.

IV ozone therapy and high-dose IV vitamin C (IVC) may both offer promising adjunctive strategies for addressing Fusobacterium nucleatum and related bacterial involvement in endometriosis, based on their known antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here's how each may play a role:

How IV Ozone Targets Fusobacterium

• Direct Antimicrobial Action

Ozone (O₃) is a potent oxidizing agent that:

• Disrupts bacterial cell walls, especially anaerobic bacteria like Fusobacterium, by oxidizing phospholipids and lipoproteins in the membrane.

• Generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides that damage bacterial DNA and enzymes.

This is particularly relevant because Fusobacterium nucleatum is:

• Anaerobic, meaning it thrives in low-oxygen environments.

• Highly sensitive to oxidative stress, making it a good candidate for ozone therapy.

In vitro studies have shown that Fusobacterium species are rapidly killed by ozone gas and ozonated water or saline at therapeutic concentrations.

• Immune Modulation

• Ozone stimulates production of cytokines (e.g., IL-2, IFN-γ) and activates macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, which enhance clearance of chronic bacterial infections.

• It can help balance the immune dysregulation that may underlie both endometriosis and its autoimmune-like features.

Animal Studies

• A 2011 study in rats with experimentally induced endometriosis found that ozone therapy significantly reduced the size of endometriotic lesions and lowered oxidative stress markers.

  Reference: Erel O, et al. Oxidative stress markers in rat endometriosis: beneficial effects of ozone therapy. Fertil Steril. 2011.

• Another rat study showed improved histopathological outcomes and reduction in adhesions and fibrosis after ozone therapy.

Human Studies

• There are no large-scale clinical trials (as of now) evaluating IV or rectal ozone therapy for human endometriosis.

• Ozone is used off-label in integrative clinics globally and anecdotally reported to help with pelvic pain, inflammation, and fatigue.

How High-Dose IV Vitamin C Addresses Fusobacterium

• Pro-Oxidative Effect at High Doses

At doses >15 grams, IV vitamin C:

• Functions as a pro-oxidant in the presence of transition metals (like iron), producing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in tissues.

• This H₂O₂ is selectively toxic to many pathogens, including Fusobacterium, but is neutralized by healthy cells with catalase and glutathione.

Studies show that extracellular H₂O₂ generated by high-dose vitamin C can kill anaerobic bacteria, including Fusobacterium, without harming normal cells.

• Enhancement of Immune Function

• Boosts function of neutrophils and T-cells.

• Increases collagen production and tissue healing, potentially beneficial in reducing adhesions or scarring caused by endometriosis.

Related Research

• In cancer studies, IVC has shown potential in reducing inflammation, improving quality of life, and lowering Fusobacterium nucleatum load in colorectal tumors.

• In chronic fatigue syndrome and autoimmune disorders, IVC is used to lower systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Evidence Gap

• No published human clinical trials directly link IVC to endometriosis symptom reduction.

• However, a 2013 study showed vitamin C and E supplementation (oral) reduced oxidative stress and pelvic pain in women with endometriosis.

  Reference: Mier-Cabrera J, et al. Fertil Steril. 2013;100(5):1331–1338.

Synergy Between IV Ozone & High-Dose Vitamin C

Using IV ozone and IVC in tandem may:

• Provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial action—ozone disrupts bacterial membranes; IVC generates oxidative stress intracellularly.

• Modulate chronic inflammation and reduce oxidative burden associated with endometriosis.

• Promote mitochondrial and immune system resilience, especially important in complex, chronic conditions like endometriosis.

Supporting Evidence

• Fusobacterium and Cancer: Similar antimicrobial mechanisms have been used in IV ozone and IVC protocols targeting Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer research, where its presence correlates with tumor growth and immune suppression.

• Ozone and Endometriosis: While direct human studies are limited, animal models and in vitro data support ozone’s anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion properties relevant to endometriosis pathology.

Our Recommendations for Addressing Endo:

1. Individualized Microbiome Modulation : As with most long term chronic conditions, health gut microbiome is key. We recommend a consult to determine which pre/probiotics might be best for you. Below are the standard recommendations.

• Probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 & L. reuteri RC-14, 10-20 billion CFU daily

• Prebiotics: Inulin or PHGG (partially hydrolyzed guar gum), 3-5 g/day

• Postbiotics: Butyrate (e.g., calcium/magnesium butyrate) 300-600 mg/day

• Optional: Consider vaginal or rectal probiotic suppositories.

• We carry a wide variety of all the above to directly address your specific needs.

2. Ozone Therapy

• Major Autohemotherapy (MAH): 1–2x/week for 4–6 weeks; re-evaluate

• Vaginal Suppositories (if trained): 15–20 minutes, 1–2x/week (available at The Lounge upon request)

3. High-Dose IV Vitamin C (IVC)

• Dose: 25–75 grams per infusion (based on tolerance & CMP status)

• Frequency: 1–2x/week initially, taper based on symptom resolution

• Pre-IV Labs: CBC, CMP

4. Peptide Therapy

• BPC-157: 200–500 mcg subcutaneously daily

• Thymosin Alpha-1: 1.5 mg SC, 2–3x/week (modulates immune dysfunction)

5. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

• Dose: Start 1.5 mg, titrate to 4.5 mg nightly

• Goal: Modulate immune overactivation and reduce pelvic pain

6. Nutritional & Supplement Protocols

• Anti-inflammatory diet: Remove gluten, dairy, soy, alcohol, refined sugar (we have custom dietary plans & recipes available for our members/patients)

• Key supplements:

  • Curcumin (liposomal): 500–1000 mg BID (available as an IV)

  • Resveratrol: 250–500 mg/day (available as an IV)

  • NAC: 600–900 mg BID (available as an IV)

  • DIM + calcium-D-glucarate: 100–150 mg/day + 500–1000 mg/day

  • Magnesium glycinate: 300–600 mg/day (available as an IV)

  • Vitamin D: 2000–5000 IU/day (monitor levels, available as an injection)

7. Hormone Balance Support

• Liver support: Milk thistle, sulforaphane, B-complex, fiber

• Bioidentical Progesterone (if needed): 25–50 mg transdermal or oral, luteal phase only

8. Detoxification & Lymph Support

• Infrared sauna: 3–4x/week, 20–30 minutes

• Cold plunges or contrast therapy: 3–5x/week

• Castor oil packs: Over pelvis or liver 3–4x/week

• Mercier Therapy: To stimulate blood flow 1X/week-1X/month

9. Mind-Body Integration

• Pelvic floor physical therapy referral

• Somatic therapy / trauma-informed care (if relevant)

• Daily breathwork, yoga, or meditation\

As always, we don’t recommend moving forward with any plan or program without the guidance and review of a provider. Feel free to consult with one of our providers before embarking on your journey toward relief.