Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects millions of women and currently has no cure.
The condition causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in other parts of the body.
After years of uncertainty, Kerri Nasta says she finally got answers last August when she was diagnosed with endometriosis.
“Unfortunately, for many years, I went undiagnosed and suffered in silence, really,” she said.
Nasta said she experienced painful periods, severe inflammation and constant discomfort during her menstrual cycle, but believed it was normal. That changed after pregnancy losses and fertility struggles prompted her to seek further evaluation.
“It wasn’t until I went through some pregnancy losses and infertility struggles that I finally said I need to get this checked out,” she said.
At New York Gynecology Surgery & Endometriosis, Nasta says she underwent surgery to help manage her symptoms and was also started on GLP-1 medications.
“Honestly, it was within two weeks that I felt some relief,” she said.
GLP-1 drugs are currently FDA-approved for diabetes management, weight loss and reducing cardiovascular risk. Researchers say the medications may also reduce chronic inflammation throughout the body.
“People started thinking outside the box, hey, could these help other inflammatory disease such as endometriosis,” said Dr. Virginia McLean of New York Gynecology Surgery & Endometriosis.
Nasta’s doctors also say GLP-1 medications may help reverse progesterone resistance, a condition where the uterine lining does not properly respond to the hormone and can contribute to treatment failure in some patients.
“We see clinically as a physician that it does work,” said Dr. Pankaj Singhal of New York Gynecology Surgery & Endometriosis.
Nasta says she is hopeful the treatment will also improve her metabolic health and help her eventually start a family.
“I do believe with continued intervention and supports, I will get there,” she said.
Doctors say the biggest challenge in using GLP-1 drugs for conditions like endometriosis is FDA approval. Without it, they say the medications are often expensive and not covered by insurance when used off-label.
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla.
