By IJEOMA UKAZU
When a woman with Endometriosis has her monthly period, the blood and tissue shed from the endometrial growth has no way of leaving the body, hence resulting in internal bleeding, inflammation that results in pain, adhesions, and bowel problems.
Giving a peep into the life of a person living with Endometriosis, the patron, Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria, ESGN, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi said, “Every month when she sees her period, life literally comes to a stop. The pain of unbelievable dimension usually kicks in, stopping the person from functioning optimally. Work, school, social functions are a No-No.
“For those working, they are unable to put in their best in terms of quality and quantum of work resulting in lower productivity which may lead to job loss or stagnancy at work.
“For the students, the inability to function in class or hostels is a reality they are faced with. This oftentimes affects their overall performance and sometimes leads to some students dropping out of school.”
He further explained, “For many women living with the condition some of our traditional myths about the use of alcohol as a pain reliever drives many of them into alcoholism and other social vices including drug use.
“For a married woman or a woman in a relationship, sex can be No-No. The pain associated with Endometriosis makes sex activity a lot of agonies. This usually results in failed or fractured relationships.”
To highlight this condition and create more awareness, March each year has been mapped as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
While heralding the planned activities for 2022 to journalists during a parley in Lagos, he said, “March is known worldwide as the Endometriosis Awareness Month and the theme for this year’s awareness is “Speak Out”.
Ajayi adds that “The World Endo March, the global organization that has championed this cause over time has chosen the theme ‘’Speak Out ‘’ a clarion call for people living with Endometriosis to tell their stories about the condition with the hope of getting governments across the globe to take affirmative action to drive policies to enhance the lives of women living with Endometriosis.”
According to him, “This year’s theme is also aimed at helping other women who may be living in silence, denial, or ignorance about the condition.
“In January, in furtherance of our resolve to create awareness among adolescent females, we announced our annual Secondary Schools Essay Competition. This year we have driven our campaign to cover schools not only in Lagos but also in Delta state and the FCT. Entries will be closing on the 15th of March and the winners will be announced after the adjudication process is completed by our independent panel of judges.
“This year we are raising the bar a notch higher by adding a special award to the school of the First Prize apart from the individual prize money.
“Also in furtherance of our desire to raise awareness among government in the country we have reached out to the First Ladies of Lagos and Delta states with the view of soliciting their support to champion the cause in the various states.
“We believe that these partnerships will help shape the workplace and school policies that may see better support for women living with Endometriosis.”
The passionate gynaecologist and patron of Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria, further adds that the organisation is also exploring a few physical engagements as it is navigating the post-Covid landmines.
Still, on the planned Endometriosis awareness activities, he adds that “We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Asaba Central in Delta State to carry out an advocacy programme among secondary school girls. This partnership we believe can kick start a joint initiative between our organisation and Rotary International both on a local and international scale.
“On the 26th of March, we will be hosting our annual digital hangout ‘’ Speak Out’’ 2022. This event will have a cross-section of women living with Endometriosis sharing their stories for a global audience as we equally will be having distinguished medical practitioners alongside my humble self as we provide medical perspectives to the management of the condition.
“Later in the year in June, we will be hosting the African Endometriosis International Conference under the auspices of the African Endometriosis Foundation which we co-founded alongside other groups on the African continent.
“This conference will have international speakers and we will like to join the global outreach to better understand Endometriosis in Adolescents,” he concluded.
Why the focus on Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in Africa affecting 1.5 million women, a similar number of women affected by diabetes.
On average it takes 7.5 – 8 years from the onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis. Experts said, the cause of endometriosis is unknown and there is no definite cure.
The condition affects one in every 10 women and about 176 million women worldwide have the disorder. 30 – 40 percent of women in Nigeria live with Endometriosis.
One in 10 women of reproductive age in Nigeria suffers from Endometriosis. 25 percent of women within the productive ages could be living with the condition without any form of symptom, hence could be a victim of infertility.
The commonest symptom of endometriosis is pain—painful intercourse, painful menstruation, abdominal pain, back pain, and emotional pain.
This condition affects women in their reproductive ages starting in the early years of secondary school when most girls see their monthly menstrual period for the first time.
Only about 20 percent of the entire population have ever heard about Endometriosis and only a third of the above populace feel their treatment is effective.
The prevalence of endometriosis in women with infertility be as high as to 30–50 percent.
A global concern
With a heavy incidence rate of about 10 percent of our female population, coupled with the rather debilitating effect on the quality of life of women living with the condition and the really sad fact, that there is no known cure for it, the world, therefore, needs to raise awareness to help women burdened by its effect to get help at the most appropriate time.
A second reason for global concern for this cause is the fact that research has shown that this condition affects women in their reproductive ages starting in the early years of secondary school when most girls see their monthly menstrual period for the first time.
Actually, in 60 percent of women who have Endometriosis, the symptom started before the age of 20.
In a number of countries where research has been done extensively on the subject, adolescent females have been identified as a critical audience burdened with endometriosis because the condition would have started at that tender age, but it may not be diagnosed early until the adolescent sufferer grows into adulthood with concerns relating to infertility.