March 2022

OBGYN

MDedge ROUNDTABLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ENDOMETRIOSIS

Featuring: Serdar E. Bulun, MD
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Although traditionally understood as a pelvic disease, endometriosis is now redefined as a heterogeneous whole-body condition that affects mental health. Dr Hugh Taylor is joined by Serdar E. Bulun, MD and Dr Linda Giudice for a virtual roundtable discussion on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. The panelists discuss how symptoms of endometriosis can overlap with other conditions, making diagnosis challenging, and they share their thoughts on the evolving role of laparoscopy vs clinical diagnosis. Standard and emerging therapies are also addressed.

Video: Endometriosis Treatment
Because endometriosis is most often caused by retrograde menstruation, treatment commonly begins with oral contraception that interrupts the ovulation cycle. The panelists point out that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and progestin therapies are also among the first-line options. Further treatment considerations include the optimal time to consider a GnRH analogue, typically prescribed as a second-line therapy, and aromatase inhibitors as a third-line option.

This article was originally published on MDedge on December 7, 2021.
Serdar E. Bulun, MD is the chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the John J. Sciarra professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Reproductive Science in Medicine) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Reproductive Endo and Infertility).
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The laboratory research of Serdar E. Bulun, MD, focuses on studying estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism, in particular aromatase expression, in hormone-dependent human diseases such as breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids.​

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