Teams join forces to beat womb condition

Teams join forces to beat womb condition



« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 27 May 2008
By FRANK URQUHART
RESEARCHERS at two Scottish universities have joined forces in the hope of shedding light on a painful disease that afflicts an estimated two million women in the UK each year.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the cells that line the womb are found elsewhere in the body, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel and intestines, causing discomfort in the area, as the cells thicken and bleed.

It costs tADVERTISEMENThe economy at least £2.8 billion a year in lost working days. It can also affect fertility.

Until now, it has been hard to identify and requires an invasive laparoscopy for a firm diagnosis.

But research involving Aberdeen University and the Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in Edinburgh has set out to try to discover clues to the causes of the disorder, leading to better diagnosis and new treatments.

Scientists at the universities are part of the Centre for Reproductive Endocrinology and Medicine, launched in Aberdeen yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Aberdeen University said they would be looking "for substances in the body called biomarkers, which can indicate the presence of disease and be used for monitoring responses without surgery.

"Women attending Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for laparoscopies will be asked if they want to take part in the research."

She added: "It is not just endometriosis that will be studied. The collaboration aims to improve reproductive health in women and men."