Amy speaks with Dr. Abdala Karame about:

-if endometriomas can be distinguished from cysts in an ultrasound.

-how to treat endometriomas and the evidence available on hormonal suppression and endometrioma recurrence.

-if endometriomas always grow or not.

Who is Dr. Abdala Karame?

Dr. Abdala Karame is a gynecologist obstetrician and specialists in assistive reproductive technology as well as an excision surgeon for endometriosis.

He did his residency in Mexico after studying at the University “La Salle” Mexico. He then spent 8 years in Houston, TX working in the subspeciality of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Woman’s Hospital of Texas.

He’s a member of various associations and professional societies in Venezuela, Mexico and the US. He’s the founder and director the Medical Center Dr Abdala Karame, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where he works today focusing on infertility and pain in his patients.

Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode142

--Endometriomas. Find all the studies I mentioned here.

CONNECT WITH JACKIE: Instagram @drakarame

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Amy speaks with Alysia, who tells us about:

-her experience with thoracic endometriosis-the challenges of recovering from 2 strokes brought on by COVID-what has helped her get through the darkest times with her health

Who is Alysia J. Dagrosa, BCPA, CFSD, CLC?

Born and bred in Brooklyn, NY Alysia grew up in a biracial household. Exposure to the rich cultures of both Southern Italy and St Vincent & the Grenadines has afforded her a unique perspective. After 20 years of suffering with the painful symptoms of endometriosis, Alysia finally pushed for better care and control of her life and finally underwent surgery in 2018.

Following this experience and learning that countless people go through unnecessary suffering, Alysia decided to switch gears and began her journey of patient advocacy. In 2019, Alysia had the opportunity to speak about her experience at the Endometriosis Summit. Since then, Alysia has been active as a Patient Advocate in the Endo community in the US, West Indies, UK and Israel. In 2021, Alysia became a board-certified Patient Advocate and a Full Spectrum Doula, with expertise in multidisciplinary care, thoracic endometriosis and reproductive health. Today, Alysia helps folks by streamlining their search for adequate endometriosis treatment and works with new parents to achieve the birth experience of their dreams. 

Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode141

—An Alysia for the Long Haul. From the podcast A Friend for the Long Haul.

CONNECT WITH ALYSIA: Instagram @tantielys and @she.is.lotus

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Amy and Brittany talk about the challenges of getting good sleep. We chat about:

-some reasons why it’s tough to sleep well, from histamine to hormones to pain.

-our tips for improving our sleep, from using red lights at night to meditation apps to worry logs for our anxiety.

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with menopause specialist Jackie Piasta about:

-menopause, perimenopause, surgical menopause, and early menopause

-how the risks of hormonal replacement therapy were exaggerated by the media after the WHI study and how that’s led to unnecessary fear around HRT

-taking testosterone as part of HRT: what symptoms does it help and what data is there on it.

Who is Jackie Piasta?

Jackie Piasta, WHNP-BC, is a board-certified Women's Health and Gender-related Nurse Practitioner, menopause specialist, and founder of Monarch Health, a midlife and menopause clinic in Marietta, GA. She co-hosts the podcast "JustAsk," which focuses on women’s health topics.

Jackie is a Menopause Society Certified Clinician with The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) and serves on the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) for The National Menopause Foundation (NMF). She is an active member of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), The Menopause Society, The Obesity Medicine Association and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), where she currently serves on the advocacy and education committees.

With over 15 years of experience, Jackie has earned recognition in the media and her community as a thought leader in menopause care.

Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode139

—Newson Health Menopause Society’s Easy Prescribing Guide —Research on HRT in endometriosis patients

CONNECT WITH JACKIE: Instagram @jackiep_gynnp

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Amy speaks with Bev about:

-ableism and healthism: what they are, and how they affect people with chronic illness and/or disability

-the social vs the medical model of disability

-equity vs equality and the social determinants of health

Who is Bev Herscovitch?

Bev Herscovitch is a writer, communications professional and healthcare and disability activist/advocate living in Toronto, Ontario. She is passionate about sharing insights into how our society perceives and addresses the body, and about working with others to dismantle barriers to create an environment that empowers people to thrive as much as possible.

Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode138

--Working definition of ableism on TL Lewis’s website

CONNECT WITH BEV: Instagram @unwellunlimitedly

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Today Amy continues her conversation with Sophie about we want you to know if you are diagnosed with endo.

In part 1, we talked about the importance of educating ourselves on endo and the treatment options available. In this episode, we talk about:

-how the best improvements to quality of life often come from a full body approach

-the importance of finding mental health support

-how endometriosis isn’t your fault

Who is Sophie Kinloch?

Sophie Kinloch (she/her) is an endometriosis advocate, teacher and creative based in Northern Ireland. She experienced first hand the huge lack of resources and accurate information for patients with endometriosis living in Northern Ireland, and this was the catalyst for her advocacy work starting in 2018.

She was privileged to attend Endo Dubai Congress in 2019, taking part in live workshops and attending talks from world experts. She had her menstrual illustration work published in Freedom For Girls’ book ‘A Letter to My Younger Self’ in 2021 and has spoken on BBC radio live discussing endometriosis and gaps in care, as well as contributing to online articles and blogs about endo. She believes that chronic illness patients can - and deserve - to live a joyful life in which they are valued and supported. 

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE:
Instagram: @endoawareni

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Today Amy speaks with Sophie about we want you to know if you are diagnosed with endo. We talk about:

-the importance of educating yourself about this disease

-how it’s vital to inform yourself of the treatment options available so that you can have more informed consent when you make treatment decisions

-how connecting with the endo community can help you feel less isolated

Who is Sophie Kinloch?

Sophie Kinloch (she/her) is an endometriosis advocate, teacher and creative based in Northern Ireland. She experienced first hand the huge lack of resources and accurate information for patients with endometriosis living in Northern Ireland, and this was the catalyst for her advocacy work starting in 2018.

She was privileged to attend Endo Dubai Congress in 2019, taking part in live workshops and attending talks from world experts. She had her menstrual illustration work published in Freedom For Girls’ book ‘A Letter to My Younger Self’ in 2021 and has spoken on BBC radio live discussing endometriosis and gaps in care, as well as contributing to online articles and blogs about endo. She believes that chronic illness patients can - and deserve - to live a joyful life in which they are valued and supported. 

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE:
Instagram: @endoawareni

TRUSTWORTHY ENDO RESOURCES: https://insixteenyears.com/endometriosis-education/

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with Lyssette Horne about:

-their perspective on the myriad of obstacles endometriosis patients face in receiving adequate care

-their personal experience with endometriosis

Who is Lyssette Horne?

Lyssette Horne (she/they) is a black, queer, and chronically ill artist, activist, and documentary filmmaker.

Lyssette is a fierce advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, harm reduction, and body positivity. She has spoken on panels on the way trauma manifests in BIPOC LGBTQ homeless youth and led workshops for the DOE to help identify and support homeless youth in schools. Inspired by the works of Audre Lorde, Lyssette created Black Queer Roar, an online diary documenting their experiences as a chronically ill cancer and trauma survivor.

Their activism has led to many creative endeavors. Lyssette co-produced the Emmy-nominated documentary ‘Invisible: Diary of New York’s Homeless Youth’, which featured their own story. They were named one of the Advocate magazine’s ‘Top Forty Under 40’, and their story was featured in Gay City News, Daily News and CNN.Lyssette roars to break the silence, fight stigma, and give their community permission to show up authentically.

CONNECT WITH LYSSETTE:
Instagram: @BlackQueerRoar

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Amy and Brittany talk about how low self-worth has impacted their experience with endometriosis. We talk about:

-the untrue stories we told ourselves about our appearance and productivity and the negative effect that had on our lives

-how society taught us those stories through ableism, ageism, fatphobia, and other systems of oppression

-how much our lives have improved now that we understand our inherent worth

Amy’s book is available as a paperbook, e-book, and audiobook. See where to find it here: https://insixteenyears.com/where-to-find-my-book/

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendo

WEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.com

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Today Amy speaks with Dr Maurice Chung about:

-the study he co-authored called “A Pain Desensitization Algorithm for Phenotyping and Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain”

-the details of this algorithm for trying to establish a patient’s pain generators to reduce pain

-nerve blocks for pelvic pain and the role of the bladder in pelvic pain.

Who is Dr Maurice Chung?

Dr. Chung received his medical training from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, and post- graduate OB/GYN residency training at Albany Medical Center, N.Y. He is Board Certified in General OB/GYN and Sub Specialty Board certified in FPMRS and received the Advanced Laparoendoscopic Surgeon certification from the Accreditation Council of Gynecologic Endoscopy (A.C.G.E.). He is the Director of the Center for Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain & Urogynecology of WVU Medicine Wheeling & Reynolds Memorial Hospital, He is the former Director of the Mercy Center of Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain & Urogynecology, Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, Canton Ohio and also the former Director of Center of endometriosis, Pelvic Pain and Bladder Control, Lima, Ohio.

His focused interests and research in the last 30 years have been in advanced Laparoendoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, Urogynecology, treatment of chronic pelvic pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, pudendal nerve dysfunction, Endometriosis and Interstitial cystitis. He performed and taught the first urinary continence TVT procedure in China, 2000.

Clickable links at insixteenyears.com/episode133

A Pain Desensitization Algorithm for Phenotyping and Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain

CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendo

WEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.com

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