If you were asked to name the worst threats to women’s health, you would most likely start with breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, depression and a few others. Chances are that Endometriosis may never come to mind. Yet it is a medical condition that should be of great concern.

Endometriosis is an incurable medical condition that affects a woman’s reproductive organs. It happens when the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus. Every month, the tissue growing outside the uterus act like those in the womb, they build up, break down and then bleed but unlike the tissue in the womb, this blood has no way to escape.

It is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, pelvic pain, fatigue, bowel and bladder problems. It is responsible for about 30-50% of the cases of infertility and it affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age. One of its many symptoms is the severe menstrual pain that make the “victims” unable to live normal lives. Sadly, very many are unaware of its existence and still suffer in silence. An estimated 1 million Nigerian women are suffering from this painful condition.

Symptoms:

The major symptoms of Endometriosis are pain and infertility.

Pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis, occurring in around 80% of patients, it is usually described as:
Pelvic, lower abdominal or back pain with intermittent cramping of varying degrees
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms including Dyschezia (pain associated with constipation)
Frequent urination and/or pain during urination giving cystitis-like symptoms which may be recurrent
Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
Although pain may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle, it is often worst during menstruation (known as dysmenorrhea).

Diagnosis:

Due to inadequate knowledge among the general public and medical community, many endometriosis patients are misdiagnosed multiple times which then leads to unnecessary and inappropriate treatment. A definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by laparoscopy- an operation in which a camera (a laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel.

The surgeon uses the camera to see the pelvic organs and look for any signs of endometriosis. If endometriosis is diagnosed, the endometriosis may be treated or removed for further examination during the laparoscopy. There is no test for endometriosis, meaning patients cannot have their blood, urine, or saliva tested to confirm the disease.

Management & Treatment:

There is currently no cure for Endometriosis but there are treatments to reduce pain and improve the quality of life of those affected.

Available treatment options include:

Surgery
Hormone treatment
Pain relief

The good news is that although it cannot be cured, Endometriosis can be managed and most of its effects alleviated. The more people know about this, the better they are able to manage this condition. That’s why the Endometriosis Support Group of Nigeria (ESGN) is creating awareness by initiating a walk in support of the fight against the condition.

Show your support for women who suffer from Endometriosis by participating in EndoWalk 2017. Every step you take counts and will go a long way in changing a life. The walk takes place in Abuja on the 2nd March and 11th of March in Lagos.

Click here to register FREE for the walk.

Remember every woman is your sister, mother, daughter, niece, aunt, friend, or neighbor.