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A Surgeons Perspective about Endometriosis

Episode 138: A Surgeons Perspective about Endometriosis

An endometriosis surgeon gets granular about the disease, diagnosis and treatment for this challenging disease

Show notes

In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt sits down with Dr. Mallory Stuparich, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon based in Los Alamitos, California, to take a deep dive into endometriosis — a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition affecting roughly 10% of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide. Dr. Stuparich describes endometriosis as a systemic, neuro-immune condition rather than a purely hormonal one, drawing connections to autoimmune disorders, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and POTS.

The two doctors then walk through what a real diagnostic workup looks like, from the "four Ds and an I" symptom pattern (dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, and infertility) to the value of a specialized pelvic exam and transvaginal mapping ultrasound — dispelling the myth that normal imaging rules out the disease. They also cover emerging blood-based tests, the recently updated ACOG guidelines allowing clinical diagnosis without surgery, and the critical distinction between ablative and excisional surgery.

Rounding out the episode, Dr. Stuparich shares lifestyle and dietary strategies — including anti-inflammatory eating patterns and the supplement NAC — that can help manage symptoms alongside medical or surgical treatment. The episode closes with a call for patients to trust their instincts, seek second opinions when something feels wrong, and never suffer in silence. Listeners looking for a specialist can find Dr. Stuparich across social media under her name, and Dr. Novatt reminds her audience that persistent pain always deserves investigation, whatever its cause.

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Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

Hosts


Guests

Mallory Stuparich MD

Mallory Stuparich MD

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