An Expert Panel Discussion in Honor of EDS/HSD Awareness Month
Patients with endometriosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) face many challenges in diagnosis and symptom management. One of the biggest? Many patients actually have more than one of these illnesses.
In this webinar, a diverse panel of experts discusses the relationship between connective tissue disorders and endometriosis, and how clinicians can work together to deliver the best patient outcomes.
Featuring:
- Dr. Amanda Chu: ESSE Care’s highly trained endometriosis specialist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who offers individualized, judgment-free care.
- Ariel Katz, Licensed Mental Health Counselor: Mental health counselor specializing in working with women navigating the challenges of living with chronic illness.
- Kelsey Bates, Licensed Mental Health Counselor: Mental health counselor specializing in working with high-achieving women navigating complex chronic illness and the women’s health issues, anxiety, and grief that come along with it.
- Dr. Erica Michitsch, PT, DPT, WCS: Pelvic floor physical therapist using an evidence-based, holistic treatment approach to help patients develop a better awareness of their bodies.
- Dr. Kara Mortifoglio, PT, DPT, WCS: Pelvic floor physical therapist following a holistic approach to patient treatment, helping patients get back to what they love to do.
- Dr. Alexis Cutchins, cardiologist: Compassionate provider with expertise in POTS, MCAS, and HSD.
- Kathy Kates, NP: Board-certified family nurse practitioner helping people hormones and sexual health, especially those who have felt dismissed or unheard in traditional care.
- Dr. Elena Ivanina, gastroenterologist: Passionate gastroenterologist focusing on integrative medicine and natural cures for gut conditions.
- Dr. Claire Brandon, consult liaison psychiatrist: Dual board-certified psychiatrist in adult psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry (treatment of psychiatric illness in medically ill patients).
- Charlotte Mueller, MSN, FNP, vulvovaginal disorders: Board-certified family nurse practitioner with a long-standing and deep interest in both women’s health and vulvovaginal disorders.
What You’ll Learn
- Symptom Overlap Increases Complexity: How overlapping symptoms make multiple chronic illnesses even more complex to diagnose and treat, and the vital role of a multidisciplinary care team.
- Importance of Surgical Planning: Special considerations for excision surgery in patients with connective tissue disorders, including hydration, allergic reactions, and recovery experiences.
- The Immune System’s Role: How increased and abnormal activity of mast cells and aromatase may contribute to inflammation and pain in endometriosis.
- Whole-Body Endo Impacts: The full array of endometriosis symptoms and how they affect different areas of the body, not just the pelvis.
- New Endo Research: Exciting shifts in endometriosis research and treatment development focused on inflammation, immune pathways, nervous system regulation, and pain processing.
This Conversation Is for You If:
You know your body is trying to tell you something is wrong, but you’ve struggled to receive a diagnosis for your wide-ranging symptoms. Perhaps a traditional medical care model hasn’t served you well, with siloed providers failing to communicate with each other about related syndromes that could be affecting your body in different (or similar) ways.
If you’ve been trying to advocate for yourself but you’re not sure how to move forward, this discussion could help illuminate the path.
