Study finds portable headset can ease symptoms of endometriosis

Endometriosis sufferers have new hope thanks to new research that sheds light on the potential of a portable headset to ease symptoms of the condition.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of the complex disease that affects one in 10 women.

Around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth in the UK currently have the condition, which causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow outside the womb.

According to the NHS, the symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women are severely affected, while others may have no noticeable symptoms.

For women who experience these symptoms, the main symptom is likely to be extreme menstrual pain in the lower abdomen or back (pelvic pain), but other symptoms may also occur, such as pain during or after intercourse, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or even brain fog.

Although endometriosis can be treated, there is currently no cure, leaving sufferers often struggling with symptoms in vain. However, new research has shown that modulating the nervous system may help alleviate some of the major effects of the disease.

Research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information and PubMed revealed that targeting the vagus nerve can positively impact the symptoms and progression of endometriosis.

Studies have shown that women with endometriosis may have reduced activity of the vagus nerve, a key part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for regulating stress response and other body functions.

This imbalance, manifested by lower heart rate variability (HRV), has been found to be associated with increased levels of pain and stress, suggesting that the autonomic nervous system plays a key role in managing endometriosis symptoms.

As a result, scientists are exploring the potential of modulating the nervous system using devices like Nurosym as a way to relieve pain, reduce stress, and even slow the progression of endometriosis.

Directed electrical signals sent by the vagus nerve to the brainstem simultaneously increase parasympathetic activity, heart rate variability and reduce inflammation, which is important in endometriosis. Directing this nerve can lead to reduced pain and other symptoms associated with nervous system dysregulation.

While traditional medical devices are typically placed on the stomach to block pain signals from being sent to the brain, vagus nerve neuromodulation technologies work by directly affecting key mechanisms that cause and contribute to symptoms.

A recent clinical study found that patients using these wearable devices, which fit on the ear, experienced a 78 percent reduction in inflammation and a 50 percent increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity, which counteracts feelings of stress and helps us feel relaxed.

Simply put, these devices help remodel the nervous system by delivering small, targeted electrical impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve.

Dr. Susana de los Santos, a physician at Nuroso and a medical reviewer for She Syncs, an educational center and community for people with endometriosis, PCOS, and PMS, says these types of devices are gaining popularity as a promising method for relieving endometriosis-related pain.

“Evidence shows that women who are more stressed also experience more pelvic pain,” she explains.

“Stress, especially chronic stress, means the body is in a constant fight-or-flight response. The vagus nerve is a key player in counteracting this response; by modulating it, we can induce a calmer, more “rest and digest” state in the body, thereby reducing pain.”

Dr. de los Santos hopes this non-invasive method will provide relief to endometriosis patients who have not had much relief with conventional treatments.

“Recent research suggests that by restoring balance to the nervous system, we can improve the patient’s quality of life and address the pain associated with endometriosis,” he continues. “Neuromodulation technology devices for pain relief represent a significant advance in our approach to this complex condition.”

Tasha currently lives with endometriosis and has been using a wearable device since August last year, which she says helps her with chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms.

“I’ve found it really helpful, especially with my fatigue and brain fog,” she explains. “I also have fewer pain days now. I track them pretty religiously, and I was surprised to see that I had significantly fewer pain days within a few months of starting.”

Rachel, another user with endometriosis, says the device “significantly reduces my pain by 80% within 15 minutes of use.”

She also says she’s noticed significant improvement in her brain fog.

“I feel more focused and clear-headed, like I can sit down and focus on my work,” she explains. “My executive function is definitely much better.”

The potential breakthrough comes after it was revealed that women in the UK are waiting almost nine years to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

Research by the charity Endometriosis UK shows that waiting times for diagnosis have worsened significantly in recent years, with all four countries seeing an increase in waiting times since 2020.

Waiting times for a diagnosis have increased to 8 years and 10 months in England and Scotland, 9 years and 5 months in Northern Ireland and 9 years and 11 months in Wales.

The report, based on a survey of 4,371 people diagnosed, shows that 47% of respondents had seen their GP at least 10 times for symptoms before diagnosis, and 70% had seen their GP five or more times.

Commenting on the findings, Endometriosis UK Chief Executive Emma Cox says: “It takes almost nine years to make a diagnosis of endometriosis, which is unacceptable. Our finding that it is now taking even longer to make a diagnosis of endometriosis must be a wake-up call for decision-makers to stop minimising or ignoring the significant impact of endometriosis on physical and mental health.”

Endometriosis: Read more

To watch: ‘The contractions were so painful they felt like contractions. I was off work for five years before I was diagnosed with endometriosis.