In women, the compound 4-hydroxyindole in poop may show if they have endometriosis. This condition happens when uterus tissue grows in other places in the body. It can be treated with surgery, but it takes a long time to diagnose because people don’t know much about it.
Scientists studied poop from women with and without endometriosis. They found that women with the condition had low levels of 4-hydroxyindole in their poop. This could be because of changes in the gut bacteria.
By testing poop, doctors might be able to find endometriosis early. This can help in managing the condition better. Also, giving the compound 4-hydroxyindole to mice with endometriosis showed promising results. The mice had less severe symptoms and less pain.
This natural treatment could be helpful for humans too, but more research is needed. It’s a simple way to diagnose and possibly treat endometriosis.
Topics:
- women’s health/
- microbiome
Vocabulary List:
- Endometriosis /ˌɛn.doʊ.mə.triˈoʊ.sɪs/ (noun): A medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
- Diagnosis /ˌdaɪ.əɡˈnoʊ.sɪs/ (noun): The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination.
- Compound /ˈkɒm.paʊnd/ (noun): A substance formed from two or more elements or ingredients.
- Bacteria /bækˈtɪr.i.ə/ (noun): Microscopic organisms that exist as single cells or in clusters and can be beneficial or harmful.
- Severe /səˈvɪr/ (adjective): Very great; intense or serious in nature.
- Promising /ˈprɒm.ɪ.sɪŋ/ (adjective): Showing signs of future success or potential.
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