Fibra™ Updates: Cutting-Edge Technology Meets Women’s Health
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition that impacts about 10% of women worldwide. Most women are
diagnosed with endometriosis in their 20s or 30s. During a women’s monthly cycle, a lining of
blood and tissue called the endometrium sheds its outermost layer. When a woman has
endometriosis, this endometrium tissue will grow outside of the uterus, where it cannot be
expelled from the body.
Where Does Endometriosis Tissue Grow?
Endometriosis tissue can grow in many places throughout the body. The most common places
that it is found are: behind the uterus, in the inner layers of the uterine wall, the ovaries, the
fallopian tubes, and the peritoneum—the tissues that line your pelvis. It may grow in other places
in the body as well. Some of these less common places include the vagina, the rectum, the
bladder, intestines, the diaphragm, and the lungs. In addition to reproductive issues and infertility
often associated with endometriosis, some of the growths in these more unusual places may
cause issues in the digestive and respiratory systems. Unfortunately, the bands of endometrial
tissue are fibrous and can act as an adhesive, causing pelvic tissues, and even organs to fuse
together.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
PMS and endometriosis share common symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and
fatigue. However, those with endometriosis experience these symptoms more intensely than most
women. Other symptoms that women with endometriosis may experience are:
If you are experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to see if you
may be suffering from endometriosis.
Who is at Risk for Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is most common in women who:
Treatment Options for Endometriosis
There are several types of medications that can be taken to manage the symptoms of
endometriosis and the growth of endometriosis tissues. Oral contraceptive pills are used to help
manage symptoms. They help affected women have shorter, lighter, and less painful periods.
Gonadotropin and danazol are medications that block estrogen to prevent the continued growth
of endometrial tissues and treat the associated symptoms. Due to the lack of estrogen brought on
by these medications, the period usually stops completely. This may not be the best option for
women who would like to become pregnant.
Surgical options are used both to diagnose and treat endometriosis. A common diagnostic
procedure called a laparoscopy helps doctors find endometriosis tissues. The doctor will make an
incision in the abdomen, and insert a thin, tube-like tool into the body called a laparoscope. This
laparoscope has a high-definition camera attached, allowing the doctor to see into the body to
identify endometriosis tissue.
In severe cases of endometriosis, a patient may choose to have a hysterectomy. This is the
removal of the uterus from the body. This can be a difficult decision for a woman to make,
especially if she wishes to have children one day. Unfortunately, endometriosis tissue sometimes
grows in the body after a hysterectomy. However, it usually helps most women suffering from
endometriosis.
What Causes Endometriosis?
The cause of endometriosis is currently unknown. Early theories still widely accepted today
include “reverse menstruation” (referring to menstrual blood flowing upwards into the fallopian
tubes), and coelomic metaplasia (the transformation of the cells that line the abdomen into cells
normally found in the lining of the uterus). Though these theories have been somewhat accepted
for nearly one hundred years, doctors and scientists still cannot find a definitive cause for
endometriosis.
Fortunately, the scientific community has begun to seriously investigate the root causes of
endometriosis. One promising theory based on the research of Dr. Khaleque Newaz Khan and his
team at Nagasaki University suggests that endometriosis could be caused by the presence of
certain bacteria in the vagina and uterus.
Dr. Ayako Muraoka and her team at Nagoya University conducted an experiment with mice to
determine the role of bacteria in endometriosis. When the researchers infected mice that had
implanted endometriosis tissue with fusobacterium, a bacterium that is present in about 64 % of
women with endometriosis, endometrial tissues became more massive. These tissues decreased
in mass when they gave the mice antibiotics. This is an incredible first step for women suffering
from endometriosis and hopefully, will help researchers better understand and treat the condition.
Endometriosis and Women’s Health
Endometriosis, like most issues in women’s health, was historically ignored by researchers. That
unfortunately means that this condition is not yet understood. With more awareness for
endometriosis and other conditions that impact women, we are slowly working towards health
equality. We at Fibra are passionate about healthcare equality, which is why we have made it our
mission to help women better understand their bodies. Our product’s seamless tracking will help
women advocate for their bodies, so they can fight for their health.
References
“Endometriosis.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-
diseases/endometriosis. Accessed Aug. 2025.
“Endometriosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 Aug.
2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-
20354656#:~:text=Endometriosis%20(en%2Ddoe%2Dme,the%20tissue%20lining%20the%20pe
lvis.
Khan, Khaleque N., et al. “Molecular Detection of Intrauterine Microbial Colonization in
Women with Endometriosis.” European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive
Biology, Elsevier, 6 Feb. 2016,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301211516300197?via%3Dihub.
Muraoka, Ayako, Akira Yokoi, et al. “Emerging Bacterial Factors for Understanding
Pathogenesis of Endometriosis.” iScience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Dec. 2023,
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10805679/#bib51.
Muraoka, Ayako, Miho Suzuki, et al. “Fusobacterium Infection Facilitates the Development of
Endometriosis through the Phenotypic Transition of Endometrial Fibroblasts | Science
Translational Medicine.” Science Translational Medicine , 14 June 2023,
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.add1531.
Ries, Julia. “Endometriosis: Study Finds This Bacteria May Be behind the Condition.” Edited by
Dana K Cassell, Healthline, Healthline Media, 16 June 2023, www.healthline.com/health-
news/endometriosis-may-be-caused-by-this-bacteria#Bacterial-infections-may-be-at-the-root-of-
endometriosis.
