Visualize Women’s Health

 

Advocating for a Higher Standard of Care in the Management of Endometriosis

We are building a central visual-learning resource that provides education on endometriosis and other important women’s health issues from a variety of perspectives, in a format that is both enlightening and convenient. Please peruse our video library and select a topic that interests you.

Endometriosis is a systemic disease that can be painful and chronic1; it affects ∼10% of reproductive-age women.2 The symptoms of this disease can significantly impact women’s quality of life, physical and emotional well-being, and productivity (including their families).3 to 5

There is a lack of awareness about endometriosis, partly due to normalization of women’s pain and stigma around menstrual conditions.6 Additionally, research gaps and lack of funding contribute to this limited understanding. Improving education and awareness, diagnostic options, and interdisciplinary management can lead to timely diagnosis and improve care. This allows for new advancements.6

1. Taylor HS, et al. Lancet. 2021;397(10276):839-852. 2. Shafrir AL, et al. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;51:1-15. 3. Fourquet J, et al. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2424-2428. 4. Nnoaham KE, et al. Fertil Steril. 2011;96(2):366-373.e8. 5. De Graaff AA, et al. Hum Reprod. 2013;28(10):2677-2685. 6. As-Sanie S, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;221(2):86-94.

Endometriosis 101

Endometriosis: Mechanism of Disease

Etiology of Endometriosis

Explore the proposed underlying mechanisms of the disease, the role of estradiol in the creation of a lesion-supporting environment, as well as cellular and molecular pathways

Endometriosis: Plotting the Pain

Understand how the location and type of lesions influence pain

Physician-Patient Dialogue

Part 1

Treating Endometriosis: A Two-Way Street

Establish effective communication and rapport to build a strong HCP-patient relationship

Part 2

Endometriosis: The Diagnosis Dialogue

This office visit scenario provides a model for obtaining comprehensive medical and social history from your patient

Part 3

Successful Endometriosis
Dialogue

Explore positive interaction perspectives from both the physician and the patient

Highlights From a Successful Endometriosis
Dialogue

What Worked?

Learn the value of asking the right questions and showing empathy from the patient’s perspective

Being Prepared

See the patient’s perspective on the benefits of being prepared by providing past medical records to her new doctor

Addressing Dyspareunia

Endometriosis and Dyspareunia

Understand how the lesion types and locations of this disease can result in dyspareunia

What Is Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis?

Identify the consequences when this disease becomes invasive with very active lesions

Dyspareunia and Mental Health

Recognize the signs and symptoms of dyspareunia and how chronic pain leads to fear, anxiety, and depression

Sexual Response Cycle and Dysfunction

Learn more about the anatomy and physiology of the response cycle and dysfunction

Patient History

See how a thorough understanding of the patient’s history plays a role in diagnosis

Physical Examination and Imaging

See how physical exam and imaging play a role in diagnosis

Multidisciplinary Therapy

Learn how to manage sexual dysfunction through a multidisciplinary approach

Physical Examination for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Prioritizing Communication

Understand the importance of communication in the patient visit, including assessment of your patient’s mood and affect

Physical Exam 1

See the steps for an abdominal, back, and musculoskeletal exam

Physical Exam 2

Learn how to perform an external pelvic exam

Physical Exam 3

Review the components of an internal pelvic exam

Regulation of Reproductive Axis

Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Signaling

Review the role of GnRH in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

GnRH Agonist

Learn about the GnRH agonist’s mechanism of action and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

GnRH Antagonist

Learn about the GnRH antagonist’s mechanism of action and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Provider Insights

Communication and Evaluation

Approaching the Telehealth Visit

Improve patient-provider communication and encourage open dialogue

Establishing Diagnosis

Review screening tool and past physical exam findings in patients with endometriosis

Important Management Considerations

Personalizing Therapy with Patient Goals

Explore the factors and symptoms
that influence patients’ management goals

Addressing the “Problem Visit”

Learn the underlying reasons that
contribute to problem visits and how to set
realistic expectations

Individualizing Management Plans

Identify the critical elements of informed
decision-making to incorporate patient goals

Endometriosis Management Overview

Medical Approach Considerations

Review the risks and benefits of current management of endometriosis-associated pain

Surgical Approach Considerations

Review the risks and benefits of surgical options
for endometriosis-associated pain

Surgical Consequences

Understand how surgical interventions may be associated with long-term consequences on
overall health

Psychosocial Well-being and Barriers

Addressing Clinical Biases

Learn how stigma, normalization, and dismissal contribute to diagnostic delay

Encouraging Patient Discourse

Discuss why patients are reluctant to speak
about burdensome symptoms and how society
plays a role

Encouraging Provider Discourse

Learn how to elicit the whole story from patients
by listening and asking the right questions

Agile Management Practices

Sharing the Journey

Understand the importance of aligning with
patient goals to guide management

Lecture Series

In-depth Presentations on Key Topics

The Neuropathology of Pelvic Pain

This animated video explains how patients with endometriosis develop chronic pain and the importance of diagnosis and management

What is Endometriosis and Why Does It Hurt?

An in-depth discussion on the connection between pathologic and clinical diagnoses

A Modern Framework for Understanding Endometriosis-Associated Pelvic Pain Disorders

A deep dive into central pain processing and how endometriosis experiences differ in some women, including holistic approaches in managing the disease

In-depth Program Symposia

American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists (ACOG) Symposium

This is Real: Recognizing the Systemic
Nature of Uterine Fibroids and Endometriosis

This symposium took place at the ACOG
2022 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting on May 7, 2022.

Epidemiology and Disease Burden

Review the prevalence and impact
on quality of life

Normalization and Diagnostic Delays

Understand the contributing factors
that hinder timely diagnosis

Systemic Disease

Explore the broad manifestations of
a disease that go beyond the pelvis

360-Degree Virtual Immersion Videos

Experience full immersion in these videos simply by moving your mouse to rotate the view.* These videos provide viewer-controlled, 360-degree views inside the organs affected by endometrial lesions.

 

Please use this legend as a guide to the symptoms covered in our Patient Presentation videos:

Symptom A: Dysmenorrhea
Symptom B: Nonmenstrual Pelvic Pain
Symptom C: Dyspareunia
Symptom D: Dysuria
Symptom E: Bladder Pain
Symptom F: Nonspecific Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Symptom G: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Patient Presentation: Explanation of Symptoms 

Symptoms A and B

An internal view of peritoneal lesions that may impact the severity of symptomatic pain 

Symptoms A, B, and C

A visual journey to the deep posterior cul-de-sac lesions that may be associated with severe dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea 

Worsening of Symptoms A, D, and E During the Menstrual Cycle

An inside look at lesions in the detrusor muscle of the bladder wall that can contribute to bladder symptoms and severe dysmenorrhea

Symptoms A, B, C, and F

View lesions on the bowel that cause damage to the bowel tissue

Symptoms A, C, and G

View ovarian endometriomas or “chocolate cysts” with adhesions

Pathogenesis

Ectopic Lesion Microenvironment
Inflammation and Conduction
of Pain

A 360-degree view of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involving estradiol and prostaglandin E2

Anatomy

Female Pelvic Anatomy

Gain a complete visual understanding of the female pelvic anatomy with this 360-degree video

Patient Advocacy

My Endometriosis Team logo

MyEndometriosisTeam

MyEndometriosisTeam is a free social network for those living with endometriosis. Members can get the emotional support they need from others and gain practical advice and insights on managing endometriosis treatment and therapies. MyEndometriosisTeam is the only social network where members affected by endometriosis can truly connect, make real friendships, and share daily ups and downs in a judgment-free space.

AbbVie has provided financial or other
support for the above collaborations.

Partnerships

Society for Women’s Health Research Endometriosis Toolkit

The Society for Women’s Health Research toolkit is designed to empower individuals with endometriosis in navigating their care.

SWHR Endometriosis Toolkit image
SWHR Endometriosis Toolkit image

Contemporary OB/GYN

This peer-reviewed journal provides practical information for doctors, by doctors. The website features videos, podcasts, and other digital content.

AbbVie has provided financial or other
support for the above collaborations.

Partnerships

Society for Women’s Health Research Endometriosis Toolkit

The Society for Women’s Health Research toolkit is designed to empower individuals with endometriosis in navigating their care.

SWHR Endometriosis Toolkit image
SWHR Endometriosis Toolkit image

Society for Women’s Health Research Endometriosis Toolkit

The Society for Women’s Health Research toolkit is designed to empower individuals with endometriosis in navigating their care.

Endometriosis Resources

EndoWheel

EndoWheel Video

The AbbVie-created EndoWheel tool is a self-administered mobile application created for patients and their HCPs to visually track symptoms and overall disease burden. Users can respond to symptom questions, and results are displayed through a radar chart. Assessments are stored automatically (though they can be deleted by the user) to be used in historic comparison. All data are private and stored only on the patient’s personal device. 

Paper Tool

As an alternative to the digital application, HCPs may also use the
AbbVie-created paper tool with patients.

EndoWheel paper tool cover in English

English
Version

Spanish
Version

Simplified
Chinese Version

App

Download the EndoWheel app using the QR code links below.

Endowheel brochure for HCP

HCP Brochure*

Discuss the EndoWheel app with your patients and learn how this patient-friendly, AbbVie-created tool can provide a better understanding of endometriosis-related factors that may be affecting your patients’ quality of life.

*These brochures provide guidance on using the EndoWheel app.

Endowheel brochure for patients

Patient Brochure*

Share information about the EndoWheel app with your patients. This AbbVie-created tool will help them initiate a conversation about how endometriosis affects their lives.

*These brochures provide guidance on using the EndoWheel app.

Treatment Landscape Flashcard:

Endometriosis Treatment Landscape Flashcard for HCPs

Endometriosis Pain

This AbbVie-created tool is designed to educate your patients on medical and surgical management options to help them make choices that achieve their current treatment goals.

Pain Scale:

Decoding Endometriosis Pain Flashcard for HCPs

Decoding Endometriosis Pain

This is a valuable, AbbVie-created HCP resource for facilitating an open discussion with patients about their endometriosis pain.

Treatment Landscape Flashcard:

Endometriosis Treatment Landscape Flashcard for HCPs

Endometriosis Pain

This AbbVie-created tool is designed to educate your patients on medical and surgical management options to help them make choices that achieve their current treatment goals.

Pain Scale:

Decoding Endometriosis Pain Flashcard for HCPs

Decoding Endometriosis Pain

This is a valuable, AbbVie-created HCP resource for facilitating an open discussion with patients about their endometriosis pain.

Treatment Landscape Flashcard:

Endometriosis Treatment Landscape Flashcard for HCPs

Endometriosis Pain

This AbbVie-created tool is designed to educate your patients on medical and surgical management options to help them make choices that achieve their current treatment goals.

Pain Scale:

Decoding Endometriosis Pain Flashcard for HCPs

Decoding Endometriosis Pain

This is a valuable, AbbVie-created HCP resource for facilitating an open discussion with patients about their endometriosis pain.