Bryan Johnson's 'TMI' update as he checks partner Kate Tolo's '1% vagina' for underdiagnosed condition
Well, Bryan Johnson’s at it with his experimenting again.
And after sharing the results of his partner, Kate Tolo’s, ‘top one percent vagina’, people have been left positively surprised by his new work.
Known for his longevity project, the biohacker typically makes headlines for ‘de-aging his penis’, transfusing blood from his son and for commentating today’s Enhanced Games.
But he recently went viral after talking about Tolo’s vagina microbiome. And now people reckon he’s about to do the ‘most comprehensive and highly funded research in women’s health’.
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Johnson has shared that his partner has ‘suspected endometriosis’, an indisputably under researched chronic condition affecting at least one in 10 women. And while some may say the post is ‘TMI’, it’s the absolute reality of what people are suffering with all over the world.
The biohacker’s post
Yesterday (23 May), Johnson took to X to say he was further ‘examining Kate’s 1%’.
“Here she’s getting an ultrasound,” the biohacker wrote.
“Historically you needed surgery just to diagnose it (incisions are made in the abdomen). We're doing a non-invasive route. Typically women live with endometriosis for 7-10 years before being diagnosed. It’s the leading reason women aged 30 to 34 get hysterectomies (permanent surgery to entirely remove the uterus). This condition is where endometrial-like tissue starts growing outside the uterus, in ovaries, bowel, bladder, even the diaphragm. This tissue inflames, scars, and glues organs together.”
Johnson explained that their first step is to find out if Tolo has endometriosis with their initial measurements including a trans vaginal ultrasound, a pelvic MRI and hormonal labs.
“All during the early part of her cycle to get the clearest picture,” he continued.
“During her ultrasound, a slim probe, about the width of two fingers, 10-12 inches long (although only a small portion is inserted) is covered with a protective sheath and lubricant and gently inserted into the vagina (patient has to empty their bladder first). This creates real-time images of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding pelvic structures. While inserted, the probe is turned 90 degrees to evaluate all the various structures, angles and views. There is no radiation exposure. The technician is looking for scarring, ovarian cysts, adhesions, and for organs that are fused together with tissue. This ultrasound can confirm endometriosis but it cannot rule it out.”
Tolo responded to say she 'consented' to his post as she wrote: "I love that Bryan’s so supportive and involved with my health."
Johnson said: "baby I got you."
Endometriosis
Johnson went on to describe the impacts of endometriosis on the body as he added: “There are a handful of theories about why endometriosis develops but the honest answer is no one is quite sure. We’ll keep you posted on her results.”
The chronic condition occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body.
These can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, potentially causing inflammation, pain and scar tissue.
While it’s most commonly found on the lining of the pelvis, it can also occur in the ovaries, bowel and bladder. But it’s also been found on other organs across the body, such as in the chest.
Symptoms vary from person to person but the common ones include, pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, heavy menstrual bleeding, difficulty getting pregnant, pain when urinating and having a poo and fatigue.
You can find out more about this condition, estimated to impact over 1.5 million women in the UK, on the Endrometriosis UK website.
“If he actually cures endometriosis I will never make fun of this man ever again”
It’s fair to say Johnson has found himself getting an overwhelming amount of praise on X for this post.
I mean, the biohacker has become a bit of a meme to some as the ‘man with boy blood’ with unconventional methods. But with this apparent dedication to researching women’s health, there’s a newfound respect.
While endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, it takes an average of nine years and four months to get a diagnosis.
It is chronically underfunded and under-researched, with many of us sufferers getting p**sed off when one study ‘into the condition’ was focused on the ‘impact on the sex lives of male partners’.
The wide praise for Johnson includes: “Honestly whatever Bryan Johnson has had going on with his immortality quest is morbidly fascinating to me, but if the guy accidentally ends up curing endometriosis because he’s obsessed with his gf more power to him.”
Another wrote: “The condition he is talking about is so common, so painful, so invasive and chronic and yet so under-researched or understood. In fact some of the more recent studies on endo focus instead on the effect on the male partners of women with it, all while there is still no cure or any sort of proper acknowledgement for women suffering with it.
“Women’s health is underfunded, and hasn’t been a priority historically. Whatever you think about this man, him and his partner will probably end up doing more for women’s health with this study than the last 100 years of research have achieved.”
Others said: “Starts with endometriosis and @_katetolo @bryan_johnson are quietly building what could become one of the most ambitious women’s health measurement projects ever. More importantly, how they’re doing it will educate more people on women’s health than anyone in recent memory (bar is low).”
While one simply put: “if he actually cures endometriosis I will never make fun of this man ever again.”
Not everyone totally convinced by his comments though, as one wrote: “A transvaginal ultrasound is actually a pretty invasive procedure, dude. ESPECIALLY if you have endometriosis. SHE went the non-surgical route. (Who’s this WE you’re talking about). “Please leave this to actual specialists.”
If you have been affected by the contents of this article, please find more information and support via Endometriosis UK on their website, or call 0808 808 2227.
Topics: Bryan Johnson, Health
Jess Battison