Welcome

Providing you with up-to-date factual information about endometriosis and possible treatments.

Welcome to the EXPPECT Endometriosis Service

The EXPPECT Endometriosis Service consists of a multidisciplinary team that aims to provide state-of-the-art, high quality, evidence based and patient-centred treatment for the management of all grades of endometriosis.

The British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) has recently set up accredited centres for the laparoscopic treatment of advanced endometriosis to enable high standards of care to be delivered to women with endometriosis. Edinburgh achieved BSGE accreditation in January 2015.

This website has been designed by Chris Graham with the support of EXPPECT Endometriosis clinic staff at NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh.

EXPPECT in the media

Professor Andrew Horne contributed to a panel discussion at Fondation L’Oréal’s 'For Women in Science' Festival on 7 December 2021, on the topic "Unbiased health solutions for the future”.

Watch the panel discussion below.

Professor Andrew Horne contributed to the podcast 'Bun in the Oven', by Hollie Grant.

Listen to Episode 3, Endometriosis and Me (67 minutes) or watch below.

In this week’s episode I’m talking to Professor of Gynaecology Andrew Horne, and one of my favourite people Louise Abdalla all about Endometriosis, its symptoms, and its effect on fertility. Please note that we do also discuss miscarriage in this episode.
In this episode we talk about the symptoms and signs of Endometriosis and the effects it can have on a woman’s everyday life, and their desire to have children. Andrew shares the clinical elements of the condition so perfectly and shares his advice for those suffering whilst Louise gives us an insight into living with the condition. Louise’s honesty, and Andrew’s knowledge, will help so many women push for a diagnosis I’m sure (as it currently takes on average 7 years to be diagnosed).

Professor Andrew Horne and colleagues from the University of Oxford contributed to an important article in The Guardian: A common treatment for endometriosis could actually be making things worse - repeat surgeries for endometriosis could be exacerbating pain symptoms.

Until recently, doctors treated all cases of endometriosis with the same approach, usually involving surgery. But evidence now shows that the best treatment depends greatly on which of the three kinds of disease [superficial peritoneal endometriosis, cystic ovarian endometriosis (or endometrioma) and deep endometriosis] a patient has, and the type of endometrial-like tissue that is found. [...] We find that patients don’t always get better with surgery, and those who do often feel better for a very short time. [...]

The ovarian strand of the disease involves clumps of errant tissue growing in the ovaries, which commonly form cysts that can burst and cause severe pain and inflammation. Patients with this strand are likely to experience significant relief from the removal of these cysts, so surgery is often necessary.

However, 80% of endometriosis sufferers have superficial peritoneal disease and, in these patients, it is less likely that the errant tissue itself is causing the majority of a patient’s pain and symptoms. Instead, the way that the diseased tissue interacts with nerves in the pelvis is usually the main culprit. In these cases, surgery could actually be making things worse by exacerbating nerve pain.

Professor Andrew Horne contributed to a piece in Cosmopolitan: Why does it take so long to get a diagnosis for endometriosis?

Women's health conditions generally haven't had the same attention as typically male conditions, in terms of both clinical investment and research. This is largely because the funding was historically led by men. And because of a lack of understanding from men of how common these conditions are, and what impact they have on a patient's quality of life. Chronic pain conditions also haven’t had investment because pain isn't visible. [...] So, the coupling of women's health and chronic pain means endometriosis hasn’t had the attention it deserves."

Image of ‘8 things to know about endometriosis’ article title from Top Santé Magazine

Professor Andrew Horne worked with Chantelle Pattemore and Top Santé Magazine to publish an article entitled '8 things to know about endometriosis' for Endometriosis Awareness Month (March), in 2020:

8 things to know about endometriosis - Top Santé Magazine (6.81 MB / PDF)

In October 2019, the BBC shared this video of endometriosis and its impact, which features EXPPECT's Professor Andrew Horne.

Bex, Sadie and Rebekah share their stories alongside Professor Horne, who calls for more research funding and awareness-raising, highlighting the 'gender pain gap':

South Korean and US researchers say that the infertility seen in some women with endometriosis could be linked to the deficiency of a protein in the womb: The Guardian article and research article.

In this The Guardian article, Professor Horne highlighted that while women with endometriosis may take longer to become pregnant than those without the condition, or be less likely to conceive, this does not mean that infertility is a foregone conclusion:

Endometriosis can be associated with difficulties becoming pregnant, but even women with severe endometriosis can still have a baby naturally.

Endometriosis: The Experts' Guide

Professor Andrew Horne and Carol Pearson have co-authored a practical patient guide to endometriosis

Launched on 5th March 2018, "Endometriosis: The Experts’ Guide to Treat, Manage and Live Well with Your Symptoms" written by Professor Andrew Horne and Carol Pearson (Endometriosis UK Patient Leader) is available from Amazon.

Moneys raised by book sales will go to Endometriosis UK.

ESHRE Guideline for Endometriosis (2022)

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) published new clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of endometriosis in February 2022.

Professor Andrew Horne, Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences at MRC Centre for Reproductive Health and Co-Director of EXPPECT, who was a member of the Core Guideline Development Group, said:

It was a pleasure to be involved in updating the European ESHRE guideline for endometriosis which, I think, will be incredibly useful for doctors and for patients. It will help direct clinicians how to diagnose and manage endometriosis in a more effective and evidence-based manner.

Learn more (University of Edinburgh news)

Read a summary of the guideline ('Human Reproduction Open' journal article)

Access the full guideline (ESHRE website)

Support for EXPPECT

Support from Endo Warriors

EXPPECT were delighted to receive a generous donation for our research into improving the care of women with endometriosis from the Endo Warriors.

Candice and Claire presented the cheque to Andrew and Philippa, on behalf of Endo Warriors, on Monday 29 July 2019.

Thank you to Endo Warriors and everyone who took part in the fundraising!

£100,000 for pain management research from The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust

The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust has donated £100,000 to EXPPECT to support our research into pain management for women with endometriosis.

The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust is a charity awarding grants to support the fields of medicine, education and welfare.

Professor Andrew Horne explains how this donation will support EXPPECT's vital research into endometriosis in an Edinburgh Friends magazine article:

The £100,000 from The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust will cover the cost of a research scientist who will work with us to identify potential drug targets that could lead to a better way of managing pain and related symptoms

Funding for a prescribing physiotherapist

The Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation has approved funding to pilot a prescribing physiotherapist at EXPPECT.

The Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation aims to improve the physical and mental health of the people of Scotland, in particular in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It provides funding and makes grants to support projects and initiatives not normally funded by the health service.

EXPPECT in the Scottish Parliament

In December 2018, Professor Horne and Emma Cox (CEO of Endometriosis UK) met with Sinead Griffin, from the office of Monica Lennon MSP, to discuss ways to ensure better endometriosis care and research in the context of the Women's Health Cross-Party Group (CPG) of the Scottish Government.

Women’s Health CPG Event - Andrew Horne and Emma Cox

Thank you

We would like to acknowledge and thank Andrea, a local lady with endometriosis, whose fundraising has made this website a reality.

Andrea had persisted with medical management for 2 years before discussing the option of a hysterectomy with her medical team. This has been the right decision for her and she notices a huge difference in her pain levels.

“I was so grateful for the superb care and attention that I wanted to ‘ give something back’. With the help of my friends I organised a champagne afternoon tea in aid of EXPPECT Edinburgh and Endometriosis UK.

The afternoon was a great success, with a super raffle, online auction and lots of cakes! We raised over £500 and perhaps more importantly raised lots of awareness between women who knew very little of this debilitating disease.”

This article was published on 2024-09-10