Short Wave A Surprising Cause Of Endometriosis Could Lead To Cure
15 snips
Sep 26, 2025 In this engaging discussion, science journalist Meredith Wadman joins Katie Burns, a researcher with a personal connection to endometriosis. They explore groundbreaking findings linking the immune system to the origins of the disease. Katie shares her journey from suffering pain since childhood to uncovering new evidence involving immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages. The duo also discusses promising treatment avenues, such as antibody therapies, and the challenges posed by limited funding in this crucial area of research.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
A Childhood Of Unexplained Pain
- Katie Burns experienced severe abdominal pain from around age 10 and wasn't diagnosed until age 20.
- The late diagnosis shaped her life and pushed her into researching endometriosis.
Retrograde Menstruation Isn't The Whole Story
- Retrograde menstruation sends uterine tissue into the pelvic cavity but that alone doesn't explain who gets endometriosis.
- Estrogen amplifies misplaced tissue, yet hormones alone cannot account for disease susceptibility.
Lesions Can Start Without Estrogen
- Katie's mouse experiments produced endometriosis lesions even with estrogen removed or blocked.
- That result suggested an estrogen-independent step early in lesion establishment.