Posts by: Ana Pena, PhD

Ana Pena, PhD

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for communication and discovery. As a science writer, her goal is to provide readers, in particular patients and healthcare providers, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in infectious diseases, epigenetics, and gene expression.

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019

Doctors Must Be Aware that Endometriosis Can Occur After Menopause

News

Despite being rare, endometriosis can appear or come back after menopause. Doctors should be aware of this, particularly if there are complaints of pelvic pain or heavy bleeding, and they ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 12, 2019

Resveratrol Helps Reduce 2 Enzymes Linked to Endometriosis, Trial Suggests

News

Resveratrol, a natural substance present in many edible plants, is able to lower the levels of two enzymes, MMP-2 and MMP-9, which have been implicated in the development of endometriosis ... Read more

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019

Active GATA6 Gene May Be Biomarker for Endometriosis Lesions, Early Study Suggests

News

Activation of a gene called GATA6 may be a useful biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of endometriosis lesions, an early research study reports. The study provides evidence that endometriotic ... Read more

December 11, 2018December 11, 2018

Oxidative Damage May Underlie Infertility Associated With Endometriosis, Review Study Finds

News

Studies have suggested that infertility linked with endometriosis is the result of inflammatory-driven oxidative damage to eggs, sperm or embryos caused by retrograde menstruation (the backward flow of menstrual blood). A recent review ... Read more

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018

Genetic Markers of Endometriosis May Predict Response to Lupron Depot, Study Reports

News

Researchers with Juneau Biosciences uncovered genetic markers associated with endometriosis that may help identify women who are more likely to respond to treatment with Lupron Depot. Endometriosis patients who feel a ... Read more

September 20, 2018September 20, 2018

Endometriosis Raises Risk of Pregnancy, Neonatal Complications, Pooled Analysis Shows

News

Women with endometriosis have a higher risk of serious pregnancy complications that can affect the mother, the fetus, or the newborn, a review study and pooled analysis shows. In ... Read more

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

Cancer Therapy Cisplatin Shows Promise for Endometriosis in Animal Study

News

Cisplatin, a commonly used cancer chemotherapy, showed promising therapeutic effects for endometriosis in a rat model of the condition. Treatment with cisplatin was seen to shrink endometrial tissue implanted outside ... Read more

July 27, 2018July 27, 2018

Endometriosis Weighs on Patients’ Life Quality and Mental Health, Norwegian Study Says

News

Women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis have a lower health-related quality of life compared with women from the general population, researchers in Norway report. And, compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis — ... Read more

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018

Endometriosis Not a Factor in Survival of Patients with Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer, Study Finds

News

Endometriosis does not worsen or improve survival of patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma, a study suggests. Researchers found that for these patients, resistance to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy ... Read more