Endo Battery
Welcome to Endo Battery, the podcast that's here to journey with you through Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. In a world where silence often shrouds these challenging conditions, Endo Battery stands as a beacon of hope and a source of strength. We believe in the power of knowledge, personal stories, and expert insights to illuminate the path forward. Our mission? To walk with you, hand in hand, through the often daunting landscape of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.This podcast is like a warm hug for your ears, offering you a cozy space to connect, learn, and heal. Whether you're newly diagnosed, a seasoned w...
QC: The Silent Cost of Delaying Hormone Replacement: With Dr. Christine Vaccaro
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Surgical removal of reproductive organs creates an abrupt hormonal shift that requires thoughtful planning and preventive care. Dr. Christine Vaccaro discusses the importance of pre-surgical hormone replacement therapy planning and the significant risks of delaying treatment after ovary removal.
• Prevention is key—proactive planning can help avoid the "six weeks of awful" many women experience after surgery
• Transdermal estrogen products do not cause blood clots, contrary to some medical misconceptions
• Bone health suffers dramatically with hormonal depletion—even perimenopause can cause 10% bone densi...
QC: SIBO or Just Need to Poop? Is The Low FODMAP Diet Beneficial?
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Dr. Zachary Spiritos demystifies SIBO treatment for patients with complex conditions like endometriosis and mast cell activation syndrome. He cuts through the noise with a straightforward approach to this commonly misunderstood digestive condition, explaining why it's often simpler to treat than many functional medicine practitioners suggest.
• SIBO treatment basics: antibiotics like rifaximin that shift your microbiome rather than traditional systemic antibiotics
• Preventing recurrence by identifying root causes: antibiotic use, PPI use, chronic narcotic use, or other factors slowing bowel motility
• Pro-motility agents...
Not on the Table: The Science Behind Period Cramps and What’s Still Missing
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Kate Downey shares her 22-year journey through debilitating period pain and her quest for answers that ultimately led to creating her podcast "Cramped." Through extensive research and interviews with experts, Kate uncovers why period pain remains so misunderstood despite affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
• 30% of menstruating people (approximately 522 million worldwide) experience debilitating period pain
• The widely accepted explanation for period cramps is being questioned by researchers at the GYRL lab
• Female bodies are systematically excluded from medical research, leading to gap...
QC: Navigating Diet Conflicts: Endometriosis Meets PCOS Meets Intermittent Fasting With Sarah Rae
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Registered dietitian Sarah Rae shares evidence-based nutrition strategies for those managing both endometriosis and PCOS simultaneously. She explains why balanced blood sugar is crucial for both conditions and how protein intake, fiber, and healthy fats support hormone regulation.
• Similar nutrition approaches work for both endometriosis and PCOS despite perceived conflicts
• Focus on balancing blood sugars which impacts sleep, hormones, and hunger levels
• Aim for 20-30 grams of protein at each meal with fiber and healthy fats
• Those with PCOS and insulin...
QC: Communicating Intimacy Challenges Without Losing Connection With Mallory Oxendine
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Certified sex therapist Mallory Oxendine provides practical strategies for communicating with partners about pain during intimacy while maintaining connection and avoiding shame. She addresses the fear of rejection that often prevents these crucial conversations and introduces a framework that transforms vague concerns into specific requests partners can fulfill.
• Fear of rejection often prevents difficult conversations about sexual pain and limitations
• Avoidance of these discussions only deepens disconnection and misunderstanding
• John Townsend's "People Fuel" framework offers language for requesting specific relational nutrients
•...
Endo Battery Fast Charged: #16; When Your Body Calls In Sick But You Can't
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Endometriosis impacts every aspect of life—physical health, relationships, mental wellbeing, career, and finances—not just the reproductive system. Research validates what patients experience: this disease is systemic, serious, and requires comprehensive care approaches beyond dismissive "solutions" like yoga or positive thinking.
• Medical gaslighting occurs when clinicians discount or dismiss patient concerns, eroding trust and worsening health outcomes
• Women and people from marginalized communities experience heightened levels of medical dismissal
• "Kissing ovaries" visible on imaging can signal deep infiltrating endometriosis requiring surgical i...
QC: Does Birth Control Actually Shrink Endo Lesions? (Spoiler: Probably Not), Timing Surgery with Your Cycle, & Cyclical Nose Bleeds
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Expert endometriosis surgeon Dr. Abhishek Mangeshikar debunks common myths and provides clear answers to pressing questions about endometriosis management. Drawing from his extensive experience at the Indian Center for Endometriosis, he offers evidence-based insights on treatments, surgical approaches, and unusual symptoms.
• No conclusive data supports the claim that birth control or Lupron causes regression of endometriosis lesions
• Shrinking endometriomas may actually indicate worsening disease as contents leak into the pelvis causing adhesions
• The timing of surgery relative to menstrual cycle generally doesn...
QC Understanding Post-Op Imaging: What It Reveals About Your Endometriosis Surgeon
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Dr. Abhishek Mangeshikar shares critical insights on evaluating surgeon skill and the importance of comprehensive treatment for endometriosis. His expertise reveals that clean, meticulous surgical technique with respect for tissue significantly improves outcomes and reduces post-operative adhesions.
• Red flag if surgeon plans to "just remove the cyst" in a quick procedure
• Endometriosis cysts never exist as single entities—always accompanied by other disease
• Proper imaging should identify connections to surrounding structures
• Wait at least six months for post-operative imaging due to healing...
Your Nervous System Controls More Than You Think: Part 2 With Dr. Zac Spiritos
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Dr. Zac Spiritos, a neurogastroenterologist, shares his expertise on the complex connections between endometriosis and gastrointestinal symptoms. We explore the critical role of the nervous system in gut function and discuss practical approaches to managing painful bowel movements, bloating, and food sensitivities.
• Common GI issues with endometriosis include chronic constipation, diarrhea, bloating (endo-belly), and food sensitivities
• The nervous system plays a crucial role in gut function and pain perception
• Regular bowel movements are foundational for addressing other GI symptoms
• Slower gut moti...
QC: Burning Questions, When or If Ablation Works
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Dr. Jeff Arrington, a renowned excision specialist and patient advocate, shares his expert perspective on when ablation might be appropriate in endometriosis treatment. He discusses the nuanced decision-making process that balances complete disease removal against fertility preservation, challenging the notion that excision is always the only acceptable approach.
• Small, superficial lesions could potentially be fully destroyed by ablation, though with more surrounding tissue damage
• When endometriosis grows around blood vessels to ovaries or the uterus, ablation may be used to preserve fertility
...
QC: Red Flags at the GI Doctor: Is There a Low Histamine Diet?
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Dr. Zac Spiritos shares key insights about gastroenterology red flags and specialized dietary approaches for digestive disorders. We explore the concerning situation when doctors label symptoms as "just IBS" without proper explanation and the important distinctions between histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome.
• Watch for doctors who label everything as IBS without explaining what it means or why their treatments would work for your specific case
• Histamine intolerance (lacking an enzyme that breaks down histamine) is different from mast cell activation synd...
The Gut-Brain Connection: Sorting Endometriosis from IBS, POTS, and MCAS With Dr. Zac Spiritos
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A deep dive into the tangled web of GI symptoms and how they connect to endometriosis, EDS, POTS, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Dr. Zac Spiritos, a neuro-gastroenterologist, shares insights on differentiating between these conditions and finding effective treatment approaches.
• IBS is a "software not hardware problem" involving miscommunication between gut and brain nerves
• Endometriosis can sensitize nerves in the pelvis, leading to IBS-like symptoms even after excision
• POTS affects the autonomic nervous system, causing standing tachycardia and various GI symptoms
•...
QC: Food For Thought on SIBO and Endo Symptoms With Sarah Rae
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Sarah Rae, registered dietitian specializing in endometriosis and fertility nutrition, offers evidence-based strategies to help individuals navigate nutrition for endometriosis.
• SIBO treatment typically begins with antibiotics like rifaximin, often followed by or combined with a low FODMAP diet
• The low FODMAP diet should be temporary, not a long-term solution
• Highly processed carbohydrates and consuming too many carbs at once can worsen SIBO symptoms
• Focus on balancing protein, carbohydrates, and fiber for better SIBO management
• Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely beneficial...
QC: Leaky Gut, Dysbiosis, and Endometriosis: Are GLP-1 Agonists O.K. For Compromised G.I
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Neurogastroenterologist Dr. Zachary Spiritos explains the likely connection between leaky gut and rising rates of inflammatory conditions like endometriosis. He discusses how intestinal permeability may be influenced by stress and dietary factors, potentially contributing to various chronic conditions.
• Leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) may be bidirectionally linked with endometriosis and other inflammatory conditions
• Reliable testing for leaky gut doesn't exist yet, but research suggests connections with autoimmune conditions
• Modern lifestyle factors including processed foods and stress may contribute to intestinal permeability issues...
Endo Battery Fast Charged: EP 15
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In this episode of Endo Battery Fast Charged, we dive into the ongoing delays in endometriosis diagnosis, emerging imaging tools like transvaginal ultrasound for superficial endometriosis, and how advocacy is shifting the standard of care.
Learn why most patients see up to 7 doctors and face years of dismissal before a diagnosis—and how that delay worsens pain and outcomes. We explore the latest research on imaging, the importance of recognizing all types of endometriosis, and why collaborative, patient-centered care is essential.
Fe...
QC: Hormone Suppression After Excision? Does Endo Spread If an Endometrioma "Pops"?
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Dr. Abhishek Mangeshikar, leading endometriosis specialist from the Indian Center for Endometriosis, shares expert insights on post-excision medical management and endometrioma concerns. His straightforward explanations debunk common myths while providing practical guidance for patients navigating surgical recovery and ongoing treatment options.
• Medical management after excision may be appropriate for patients with adenomyosis who wish to keep their uterus
• Progesterone-containing IUDs like Mirena can help suppress adenomyosis symptoms
• Temporary hormonal suppression (3-4 months) may protect healing ovaries after large cyst removal
• Endometr...
QC: Uterine Ablation vs. Hysterectomy: What If A Provider Doesn't Believe You?
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Dr. Jeff Arrington breaks down the differences between uterine ablation and hysterectomy while offering candid advice about advocating for yourself with dismissive doctors. His expert insights challenge conventional approaches to endometriosis and adenomyosis treatment, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based care and patient autonomy.
• Uterine ablation uses heat to destroy the uterine lining and primarily treats heavy bleeding, not painful periods
• Adenomyosis is one of the top reasons patients need hysterectomy after endometrial ablation
• For heavy bleeding with painful periods, a progesterone IUD ma...
QC: Providers For Fibroids and Endo: Do Endometriomas Mean Deep Disease?
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Dr. Jeff Arrington, renowned excision specialist and patient advocate, joins Quick Connect to debunk misinformation and empower patients with expert insights on endometriosis care. He breaks down the complexities of excision surgery, the connection between fibroids and endometriosis, and the critical need for proper referrals. Plus, he explains why endometriomas signal deeper disease and why honest surgical discussions are essential.
Send in your questions via the link in this episode's description, email contact@endobattery.com, or visit endobattery.com.
Website endobattery...
Rebuilding Your Body After Hysterectomy: A Hormone Replacement Guide
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Dr. Christine Vaccaro, a double board certified urogynecologist, provides crucial insights about the often-overlooked challenges of surgical menopause and comprehensive hormone replacement therapy. She explains why the abrupt hormonal changes after ovary removal create a "rude awakening" for the body, unlike the gradual transition of natural menopause.
• The difference between natural menopause and surgical menopause (removing ovaries)
• Why all three hormones matter: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone
• The specific roles each hormone plays in overall health and wellbeing
• How quickly bone loss occ...
Your Body Is Not Broken: Finding Pleasure In Intimacy Despite Chronic Pain
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Intimacy doesn't have to end when chronic pain begins - it simply requires thoughtful adaptation, clear communication, and a willingness to explore new pathways to pleasure.
• Understanding the crucial difference between pain (stop immediately) and discomfort (slow down and get curious)
• Expanding your definition of intimacy beyond penetrative sex to explore the "whole playground" of possibilities
• Approaching new relationships with honesty about endometriosis without feeling obligated to become an educator
• Recognizing that most female orgasms occur through clitoral stimulation rather than pen...
QC: What Role Does The Gut Microbiome and Probiotics Play in Endometriosis?
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Gut Health & Endometriosis: What You Need to Know with Sarah Rae, RDN
Registered dietitian Sarah Rae breaks down the powerful link between gut health and endometriosis, explaining how inflammation, the brain-gut connection, and diet impact symptoms. Learn evidence-based strategies to support your microbiome—without relying on expensive supplements.
🔹 How endo-related inflammation disrupts gut balance
🔹 Why gut health affects pain, mood, and digestion
🔹 The truth about probiotics & specialized testing
🔹 Best foods to nourish beneficial gut bacteria
Got questions...
QC: Soy and Endo: Friend or Foe? With Sara Rae, RDN
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Registered dietitian Sarah Rae debunks common myths about soy and endometriosis, explaining why phytoestrogens may actually support—not harm—your health. Research suggests soy could even lower endometriosis risk!
In this episode:
✅ Soy as a source of calcium & lean protein
✅ No strong evidence that soy worsens endo
✅ Studies linking soy intake to lower endo risk
✅ How personal sensitivities & hidden ingredients impact reactions
Listen now & learn how to make informed choices for your body!
💬 Got q...
Intercourse, Pain & Guilt: Navigating Intimacy When Your Body Betrays You With Mallory Oxendine
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Mallory Oxendine, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist, shares powerful insights about maintaining intimacy while navigating the challenges of endometriosis and chronic illness. She offers compassionate guidance on reframing our expectations of sex, communicating with partners, and finding connection despite pain.
• Sex is inherently complex—even without chronic pain—so remove the pressure to make it "easy"
• Expand your definition of intimacy beyond penetrative intercourse using the "playground metaphor"
• Negative self-talk about your body's limitations creates additional barriers to intimacy
QC: Suppression vs Surgery And The Long-term Impacts
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Dr. Abhishek Mangeshkar breaks down why hormonal suppression only manages symptoms, while surgery removes endometriosis. He highlights key differences between these approaches and the serious long-term risks of hormonal treatments, including bone loss, heart disease, GI issues, mood disorders, and potential permanent ovarian damage.
Got questions? Send them to contact@endobattery.com or visit endobattery.com/contact for expert answers in future episodes.
Website endobattery.com
QC: Why Do Adhesions Matter In Protecting Fertility and Reducing Pain After Endometriosis Excision?
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Dr. Mona Orady breaks down the critical role of adhesion prevention in endometriosis excision surgery—key for protecting fertility and reducing pain. She shares expert techniques, from minimizing tissue trauma to innovative methods like suspending ovaries during healing. Learn how proper surgical strategies, including laser excision, complete hemostasis, and ADEPT solution, help prevent organs from becoming "plastered" together.
🎧 Listen now & send your questions: link in episode description, email contact@endobattery.com, or visit endobattery.com.
Website endobattery.com
Myth-Busting 101: The Truth About Endometriosis- A Quick Guide
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Think endometriosis is just a bad period? Or that pregnancy cures it? Think again! In this myth-busting episode, we’re cutting through the noise and delivering facts about endometriosis and adenomyosis. Learn what these conditions really are, why they’re often misunderstood, and how misinformation impacts treatment and diagnosis. Whether you’re new to these topics or looking for reliable resources, this episode will empower you with knowledge and help recharge your advocacy battery.
🎧 Subscribe now for more expert insights and myth-busting moments!
Webs...
QC: How Often Does Endometriosis Contribute to Nerve and Vascular Compression?
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Dr. Nick Fogelson, an expert excision specialist with formal neuropelviology training, explains how endometriosis affects nerve pathways and creates specific pain patterns. He shares valuable insights on identifying and treating nerve compression and endometriosis lesions that directly invade nerves.
• All endometriosis pain involves nerve irritation in some way
• Endometriosis can irritate nerves without directly invading them
• Lesions near the hypogastric nerve plexus can cause back pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction
• "Skip lesions" are isolated endometriosis deposits directly on nerves with minimal...
QC: Excision Surgery: What to Expect at Your Follow-Up
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Expert excision specialist Dr. Lora Liu reveals what patients should expect during post-surgery follow-ups, emphasizing the critical importance of receiving pathology reports. We discuss the non-negotiable documentation patients deserve after endometriosis excision surgery and how these records confirm exactly what was removed.
• Pathology reports are the most important post-surgery document and should be provided without patients having to "pull teeth" to get them
• Pathology reports definitively confirm endometriosis diagnosis and provide proof that excision (not ablation) was performed
• Operative reports are helpfu...
Breaking Barriers: The Emotional & Medical Realities of Endometriosis With Fisayo Thompson
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Endometriosis is more than just a medical condition—it’s a relentless battle against misdiagnosis, systemic healthcare failures, and societal stigma. In this powerful episode, we shares our deeply personal journeys with chronic pain, shedding light on the emotional toll of navigating an often dismissive medical system. We continue our conversation with filmmaker and advocate Fisayo Thompson, who brings her unique perspective as both a patient and storyteller, using her platform to push for change.
Together, we unpack the hidden challenges of endo...
Quick Connect: How Effective is Excision Surgery & How to Prepare
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Understanding the complexities of excision surgery and its role in managing endometriosis is crucial for patients. Our expert guest, Dr. Lora Liu, shares her wealth of experience in this field, offering insights about what to expect from the surgery and recovery process.
• Discussion on the effectiveness of excision surgery for pain relief
• Importance of preparation and prehab, including physical therapy
• Distinction between recurrence of endometriosis and symptoms
Stay informed and empowered! Check out the link in the description to ask your...
Breaking Barriers: Fisayo Thompson’s Journey with Endometriosis & Advocacy
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In this episode of Endo Battery, we sit down with filmmaker Fisayo Thompson as she shares her powerful journey with endometriosis and the cultural stigmas surrounding chronic illness. Through her documentary Walking Through Walls, Fisayo exposes the systemic failures in healthcare and the critical role of advocacy in raising awareness and building community.
What we cover:
• Fisayo’s path from early symptoms to diagnosis
• Cultural taboos and the silence around menstrual health
• The impact of misdiagnosis and medical gaslight...
Endo Battery Fast Charged: EP 4
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This episode is full of links that correlate endo, menopause, and "medical management" and possible links to oral health.
Periodontal disease and endometriosis: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028207043841
Towards a Common Pathogenesis Periodontal Disease and Endometriosis
https://journals.lww.com/jhrs/fulltext/2018/11030/Towards_a_Common_Etiopathogenesis__Periodontal.10.aspx
Periodontal disease and women’s health
<...
Menopause & Endometriosis: The HRT Truth You Need to Know With Vanessa Weiland
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Navigating menopause while managing endometriosis can feel like a battle with conflicting information and limited options. In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Weiland, a primary care nurse practitioner and certified menopause specialist, to uncover the truth about menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and post-hysterectomy care.
Vanessa breaks down the gaps in traditional medical training surrounding menopause and why so many women feel unheard when seeking treatment. We explore the role of HRT...
Grief, Chronic Illness & Generational Healing With Natasha Trujillo, PH.D
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Grief isn’t just about loss—it’s about learning to navigate change, especially when living with chronic illness. In this powerful episode of Endo Battery, Dr. Natasha Trujillo joins us to explore how generational grief shapes our emotional responses and how perfectionism, acceptance, and resilience play a role in our healing journeys.
🔹 How generational experiences influence the way we process grief
🔹 Why grief with chronic illness isn’t linear—and how to honor your journey
🔹 The connection between perfectionism, loss, and self-worth
...
Unlocking the Power of a Resilient Mind with Dr. Niva and Rick Macci
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Join us for a transformative conversation with the inspiring Dr. Niva Jerath and legendary tennis coach Rick Macci as we dive into the power of perspective, resilience, and gratitude. In this compelling episode, we explore their collaboration on the book "Billion Dollar Mind," where they share actionable insights for reprogramming your internal dialogue to overcome challenges, cultivate joy, and build mental toughness for both everyday life and extraordinary achievements.
Discover practical techniques to foster positivity, even when facing chronic illness, unexpected setbacks, or...
Endo Battery Fast Charged: EP 14
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This episode delves deep into the latest research on endometriosis, emphasizing the critical importance of complete surgical excision and its substantial benefits for patients' quality of life, particularly regarding sexual health. We discuss how laparoscopic surgery can significantly improve the overall well-being of individuals with endometriosis, the enduring challenges in obtaining timely diagnoses, and the recent rebranding of bladder pain syndrome, all underscoring the need for informed patient advocacy.
• Examining the effects of endometriosis on sexual life
• The impact of complete excision vs...
Chronic Pain: The Overlooked Connection to Hernias With Dr. Shirin Towfigh
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In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with the renowned hernia specialist, Dr. Shirin Towfigh, to explore the often-overlooked connection between hernias and chronic pelvic pain in women. Dr. Towfigh sheds light on the challenges of diagnosing no-bulge hernias, the role of gender bias in delayed or missed diagnoses, and why specialized care is crucial for effective treatment.
Key Topics Covered:
Understanding the unique presentation of hernias in women.The hidden pain of no-bulge hernias and their misdiagnoses.How gender b...Understanding Insurance, Informed Consent, and Finding Skilled Endometriosis Care with Dr. Jeff Arrington
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Are you struggling to navigate the healthcare system for endometriosis? In this episode, Dr. Jeff Arrington, a renowned expert in endometriosis care, sheds light on how insurance structures fail to support skilled excision surgeries and why this creates barriers to receiving the gold standard of care.
We also break down:
The challenges patients face in finding qualified endometriosis specialists.Proven strategies to locate a skilled provider and advocate for yourself.The importance of informed consent—what it is, why it matters, and ho...From Endings to Beginnings: A Hopeful Transition to 2025
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As 2024 comes to a close, we’re turning up the inspiration and giving you a glimpse of what’s ahead in 2025! In this special episode, we reflect on the powerful conversations and stories we’ve shared—from navigating surgical menopause to uncovering hidden pain triggers—and the incredible insights from experts and warriors in our community.
But that’s not all. Next year, we’re diving even deeper. Think holistic health, cutting-edge endo care, and the untold stories that will make you rethink what it means...
Endo Year Reflection: #16
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As we close out 2024 and our Endo Year Reflection series, this episode dives into one of the most important topics in endometriosis care—surgical mapping. Join me as I reflect on the insights from my conversation with Dr. Ramiro Cabrera in Episode 88, where we discuss why surgical mapping should be the gold standard in endometriosis treatment.
In this episode, we explore:
The value of surgical mapping in endometriosis care and why it should be prioritizedHow imaging, when done correctly, can pl...
