This Podcast Will Kill You From the Vault - Endometriosis: Menstrual Backwash (Ep 88)
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Dec 30, 2025 Susie Solaviv shares her decade-long journey with advanced endometriosis, detailing her misdiagnoses and the emotional struggles surrounding her surgery and fertility. The discussion delves into the biological underpinnings of the disease, including how endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus causes pain and scarring. Historical biases and diagnostic delays are examined, revealing the ongoing challenges many face. The episode highlights the importance of advocacy and current research, bringing hope for better understanding and treatment options.
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Delayed Diagnosis Leads To Major Surgery
- Susie Solaviv described years of ignored symptoms culminating in a colonoscopy that initially suggested cancer but later revealed stage IV endometriosis.
- She had 14.5 cm of colon removed, a 7 cm left ovarian lesion, and preserved one ovary to avoid surgical menopause.
What Endometriosis Actually Is
- Endometriosis is defined as endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterus that still respond to hormones.
- These ectopic tissues bleed and cause inflammation, scarring, and pain because the blood cannot exit the body normally.
Multiple Theories Explain Lesion Origins
- Retrograde menstruation (menstrual backwash) is the leading hypothesis for how tissue reaches the abdomen, but it doesn't explain all cases.
- Other theories include stem-cell implantation and celomic metaplasia, suggesting multiple possible mechanisms.
