Tag: endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder that needs to be understood. WALE ADEPOJU reports a group’s effort to create awareness on the condition.

People from all walks of life are seeking to end endometrosis. They marched from Muri Okunola Park through Ikoyi Bridge down to Onikan Stadium to muster support against it.

Endometriosis is a common disorder that affects women of reproductive age. This occurs when normal endometrial tissue, that is, the lining of the uterus, is growing outside the womb lining; this can be found anywhere within the abdominal cavity including behind the uterus, in the ovaries, in the lungs and in the umbilical area, or even in the breasts.

The event tagged: “Million women march for endometriosis” was organised by the Endometriosis Support Group, Nigeria (ESGN) as part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (WED).

Nigeria representative of endometriosis, Dr Abayomi Ajayi said the disorder is a common gynaecologic problem which is fairly unknown and grossly misunderstood.

He said the organistion was established with the sole aim of assisting women who are challenged with the condition.

He said ESGN help people understand the condition, learn about its treatment options and best care practices.

Ajayi said ESGN is the only organisation focusing on the condition in Nigeria and West Africa.

He said the mission of the body was to provide educational and professional expertise in the enlightenment and treatment of endometriosis.

“We provide free diagnosis and treatment to women with endometriosis to alleviate their pains and improve quality of life.

“Also, to provide a support system and counselling platform for those facing the condition,” he added.

Ajayi, who is also the Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, said endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissues that are normally found in the lining of the womb/ uterus are now found elsewhere in the body.

“These tissues from lesions which are often found on the ovaries and other organs within a woman’s pelvis are now seen in the lungs and even in the brain” he added.

He said during the menstrual flow, the lesions also bleed in their respective locations outside the womb.

This, he said, can cause inflammation and formation of scar tissue, leading to pain. “Subsequently, the organs bearing the lesions tend to stick together in a condition called adhesions.

He said endometriosis can cause ovarian cysts, which is fluid-filled masses in the ovaries that can sometimes become large and painful.

Ajayi identified chronic pelvic pain, period pain and pain during and after sexual activity as common symptoms of endometriosis.

Others are fatigue, painful bowel movement during periods and lower back pain, among others.

He said 30 to 50 per cent of women with endometriosis experience some degrees of infertility, adding that not all women with the condition have symptoms as some only get diagnosed when they seek help for problem with fertility.

Ajayi said the pain caused by endometriosis was physical and mentally exhausting, adding that it can have impact on all aspects of a woman’s life: “Also, we have been organising radio talk shows as well as using social media, television programme, press column write-ups and articles,” he added.

He said there were train the trainer educational series and annual celebration of the condition.

Ajayi said ESGN with its partners such as Nordica Fertility Centre, teaching hospitals and other professionals in reproductive health are making efforts to carry out large scale widespread research work into the condition as it concerns Nigeria.

He said the body needed volunteers to help run free helpline and set up local support groups.

“Also, donations to the foundation are welcomed,” he added.

He said the sufferers can share their story so that others can learn and appreciate the seriousness of the condition.

He said backward flow of menstrual discharge through the fallopian tube into the pelvis may be the cause, adding there were many theories about how it began.

He said the endometrial cells may implant on the ovaries or elsewhere in the pelvic cavity.

Ajayi said surgical excision of endometriotic cysts or tissue may be recommended.

“Adhesion may be surgically removed in an attempt to clean up the pelvis.

“All surgeries can be carried out by operative laparoscopy/ laparotomy. Hormonal treatment is also available to suppress the chronic irritation and cysts caused by endometriosis,” he said.

•Experts fight endometriosis

Why can’t some women get pregnant?

Many factors are said to be responsible for infertility.

Endometriosis, a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body, has been identified as a major cause.

According to the Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, endometriosis affects fertility by 20 per cent.

He said it could lead to pain, irregular bleeding and problems getting pregnant.

“It is a common condition that occurs in about five to 10 per cent of women within reproductive age group of 15 to 44 years worldwide, “he added.

Ajayi spoke during activities to mark the World Endometriosis Month (WEM).

His clinic, he said, identifies with women every March on the condition, stressing that over 70 million women globally suffer from this incurable disease. Numerous activities are planned worldwide to identify with women living with the condition.

“As a socially responsible organisation, we at Nordica Fertility Centre, a foremost assisted conception centre in conjunction with the Endometriosis Support Group (ESG), (the only support group for endometriosis in sub-Saharan Africa) have joined other organisations in the world to comfort these women and tell them despite the pain, they are not alone. We shall support them emotionally and medically.”

Ajayi said most women with the condition do not know because the condition has been either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. “Even in developed countries, a woman may have suffered from the condition for up to eight years before proper diagnosis is done.

“In Africa, the situation is worse because, very little is known about it.” Therefore, a lot of women live with it without ever being diagnosed as the condition was believed not to be common among blacks before now. Over the years, it has been discovered that no race is left out of this excruciating ordeal.”

On the symptoms, he said, they are severe period pains or menstrual cramping, which are caused by contracting of uterine muscle initiated by prostaglandins which have been released from endometrial tissue.

“Endometriosis can also cause pain during intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia. It may not be curable, but fortunately, many effective treatments for managing the condition and maximising the chances of conception are now available.

“Endometriosis may affect the ovaries, resulting in blood filled cysts called endometriosis. In some cases, bands of fibrous scar tissue called adhesions may bind the uterus, tubes, ovaries and nearby intestines together. Adhesions and scarring are responsible for tubal damage,” he said.

Highlighting some of the ways it can be managed, Dr Abayomi said: “Surgical excision of endometriosis cysts or tissue may be recommended. Adhesion may also be surgically removed, in an attempt to clean up the pelvis. All surgeries can be carried out by operative laparascopy/laparotomy.

“Hormonal treatment is also available to suppress the chronic irritation and cysts caused by endometriosis. Danazol, progesterone, oral pills and GnRH analogues are some useful drugs. In mild endometriosis, ovulation induction and intra uterine insemination may be considered, otherwise IVF treatment is usually indicated.”

Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Chief Nike Osinowo, who is the Face of Endometriosis, said it is a common disorder that affects women of reproductive age, and it is high time parents, especially mothers paid attention to their teenage daughters who complain of severe pans in or around their menstrual period time.

“Severe endometriosis is often associated with infertility due to the chronic inflammation which occurs, as a result of the abnormally positioned endometrial tissue. This is where mothers come in. They should take their children with chronic pains during menses to the right place, for examination, that is, a hospital.

•Experts fight endometriosis

Why can’t some women get pregnant?

Many factors are said to be responsible for infertility.

Endometriosis, a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body, has been identified as a major cause.

According to the Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, endometriosis affects fertility by 20 per cent.

He said it could lead to pain, irregular bleeding and problems getting pregnant.

“It is a common condition that occurs in about five to 10 per cent of women within reproductive age group of 15 to 44 years worldwide, “he added.

Ajayi spoke during activities to mark the World Endometriosis Month (WEM).

His clinic, he said, identifies with women every March on the condition, stressing that over 70 million women globally suffer from this incurable disease. Numerous activities are planned worldwide to identify with women living with the condition.

“As a socially responsible organisation, we at Nordica Fertility Centre, a foremost assisted conception centre in conjunction with the Endometriosis Support Group (ESG), (the only support group for endometriosis in sub-Saharan Africa) have joined other organisations in the world to comfort these women and tell them despite the pain, they are not alone. We shall support them emotionally and medically.”

Ajayi said most women with the condition do not know because the condition has been either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. “Even in developed countries, a woman may have suffered from the condition for up to eight years before proper diagnosis is done.

“In Africa, the situation is worse because, very little is known about it.” Therefore, a lot of women live with it without ever being diagnosed as the condition was believed not to be common among blacks before now. Over the years, it has been discovered that no race is left out of this excruciating ordeal.”

On the symptoms, he said, they are severe period pains or menstrual cramping, which are caused by contracting of uterine muscle initiated by prostaglandins which have been released from endometrial tissue.

“Endometriosis can also cause pain during intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia. It may not be curable, but fortunately, many effective treatments for managing the condition and maximising the chances of conception are now available.

“Endometriosis may affect the ovaries, resulting in blood filled cysts called endometriosis. In some cases, bands of fibrous scar tissue called adhesions may bind the uterus, tubes, ovaries and nearby intestines together. Adhesions and scarring are responsible for tubal damage,” he said.

Highlighting some of the ways it can be managed, Dr Abayomi said: “Surgical excision of endometriosis cysts or tissue may be recommended. Adhesion may also be surgically removed, in an attempt to clean up the pelvis. All surgeries can be carried out by operative laparascopy/laparotomy.

“Hormonal treatment is also available to suppress the chronic irritation and cysts caused by endometriosis. Danazol, progesterone, oral pills and GnRH analogues are some useful drugs. In mild endometriosis, ovulation induction and intra uterine insemination may be considered, otherwise IVF treatment is usually indicated.”

Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Chief Nike Osinowo, who is the Face of Endometriosis, said it is a common disorder that affects women of reproductive age, and it is high time parents, especially mothers paid attention to their teenage daughters who complain of severe pans in or around their menstrual period time.

“Severe endometriosis is often associated with infertility due to the chronic inflammation which occurs, as a result of the abnormally positioned endometrial tissue. This is where mothers come in. They should take their children with chronic pains during menses to the right place, for examination, that is, a hospital.