Women’s Health & Wellness
Empowering women with holistic mental health solutions for comprehensive wellness…
Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
The understanding and awareness of female diseases, particularly hormonal conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis, remain significantly limited. Despite affecting millions of women, these disorders often receive insufficient attention in medical research and public discourse. The complexities of these diseases—manifesting as debilitating pain and a variety of physical and emotional symptoms—are frequently overshadowed by more well-documented health issues.
Endometriosis, characterized by the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, can lead to chronic pain and infertility. Adenomyosis, involving the uterine lining extending into the muscular wall, results in heavy menstrual bleeding and severe cramps. Both conditions can drastically impact quality of life and are often misdiagnosed or dismissed, leading to significant frustration for many women seeking help.
The lack of comprehensive studies and educational resources contributes to a profound gap in awareness among healthcare professionals and within society at large. This gap perpetuates stigma and minimizes the experiences of those affected, rendering their struggles often invisible. Increased focus on women's health issues, including thorough research, public education, and empathetic healthcare practices, is essential for improving diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals facing these challenging hormonal diseases.
At the beginning, we are dedicated to offering mental health support and validation for women navigating these conditions. Drawing from personal experience and utilizing relevant resources, we provide a compassionate approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of these diseases. Our goal is to ensure that every woman has access to the comprehensive support and options she needs for holistic well-being.
Endometriosis Resources
Below are some prominent endometriosis specialists and clinics in Ontario and Canada:
Dr. Mathew Leonardi - An advanced gynecological surgeon and sonologist at Hamilton Health Sciences. He specializes in the diagnosis and surgical management of endometriosis, focusing on utilizing ultrasound to guide treatment decisions. He is a recognized leader in endometriosis care and a faculty member at McMaster University: https://mathewleonardi.com/
McMaster University Endometriosis Clinic - Located in Hamilton, Ontario, this clinic is a Centre of Excellence for endometriosis care, research, and training. The clinic, led by Dr. Nicholas Leyland, offers comprehensive care that includes advanced diagnostic and surgical options: https://endometriosisclinic.ca/
Nancy's Nook Endometriosis Education - This platform provides a curated list of highly recommended endometriosis specialists across Canada and globally. It emphasizes the importance of excision surgery and offers resources to help you choose the right surgeon: https://nancysnookendo.com/find-a-doctor/
The Endometriosis Network Canada - This is a national charity dedicated to providing education, support, and advocacy for those affected by endometriosis. Their website offers many resources, including information on symptoms, treatment options, and ways to connect with others in the endometriosis community. The network also focuses on raising awareness and supporting research initiatives in Canada: https://endometriosisnetwork.com/
I understand that not everyone can travel to Greece for surgery, but if you have the chance, I highly recommend Dr. Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos. From our first email exchanges to our initial meeting, Dr. Kyriakopoulos (or Dinos, as he’s warmly known) was truly exceptional. His kindness, empathy, gentleness, knowledge, humour, and validation provided me with something I hadn't experienced in years: hope. After being gaslit and abandoned by our healthcare system for so long, this sense of hope was such a relief. Meeting Dinos and his nurse, Marina, assured me I was in the right place. Below is a short Q&A with Dinos:
Dr. Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos
How many surgeries do you perform per day and year?
“The volume of patients that we operate on ranges from 150 to 200 per year. Due to our multidisciplinary approach (which is mandatory in endometriosis cases), we have a team that consists of doctors from various specialties, all of whom are dedicated to treating endometriosis. The high volume of cases and multidisciplinary approach are the most efficient recipes for success in treating this condition.”
How long have you been specializing in endometriosis?
“For the last seven years of my career, I have dedicated myself exclusively to treating endometriosis. That means that I have abandoned obstetrics and all other gynecological conditions. I also did a two-year fellowship in the busiest endometriosis centre in the UK (and amongst the busiest in the world), under the guidance of Mr Shaheen Khazali, a pioneer in the field of endometriosis. Dealing with endometriosis is a full-time job that requires the physician to occupy himself/herself fully if he/she wants the best results for the patients.”
Which countries have women travelled from to have surgery with you?
“The majority of our patients come from Europe, Canada, Ireland, the US, and Latin America. All staff in our Centre speak English very well, so there are no communication difficulties. We approach every patient individually and build a relationship of trust and respect. Most endometriosis patients have suffered for many years, and their symptoms have been neglected for too long. Respecting at least what all these women have gone through and facilitating easy access to endometriosis care is the least our medical community can do.”
Do you have any advice for women who are scared and considering travelling abroad for surgery?
“Travelling abroad to get treatment can be intimidating and frightening; I am completely aware of that. Going to a foreign country to be operated on, to a different health system, having to interact with people of a different mentality, and most importantly, trusting your life to a medical professional that you have never met in person, all this can really cause anxiety and fear. I would feel the same if I had to travel abroad to get treatment for any condition. My advice to all those suffering from endometriosis is simple: please listen to your body and don't accept any diagnosis such as "it is all in your head," or "that's how periods are," etc. Life is not meant to feel like torture because of pain, and no one deserves to "lose" time from her life because of pain. Exchange opinions with other patients who have travelled abroad, get educated about the disease, do your own research, and, in the end, trust the doctor you choose. It is a difficult decision, of course, when it includes travelling abroad, yes, but possibly life-changing.”
