Discovering a Surprising Connection: Immune System as Potential Culprit Behind Endometriosis

For nearly a decade, Katie Burns, now a renowned researcher, has battled excruciating pain due to endometriosis – a condition characterized by the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus. In her teenage years, she was left in the dark about the source of her chronic discomfort. Even after receiving a diagnosis at 20, finding relief and understanding about her condition proved elusive. Her personal journey to seek improved care led her down the path to studying this widespread disease that affects millions globally.

In 2012, Katie made a groundbreaking discovery concerning the roots of endometriosis – a revelation that implicated an unexpected suspect: the immune system. We delve into this intriguing finding with Katie and science journalist Meredith Wadman in this feature.

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This episode was meticulously crafted by Berly McCoy, expertly edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Amina Khan, and thoroughly fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The audio mastery was executed by Robert Rodriguez.