A fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, says any menstrual pain that disturbs normal chores in a woman or adolescent girl is not normal and could sometimes be indicative of endometriosis, one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and infertility in women.
Ajayi, founder of Endometriosis Support Group, Nigeria (ESGN), speaking during a webinar organised to mark the 2022 annual ESGN Endometriosis Awareness month, stated that about 10 percent of women of the reproductive age group globally are affected by endometriosis and so Nigerian women experiencing menstrual pain should also speak out.
He declared that endometriosis happens when tissues lining the womb grow outside of the womb and it causes adverse symptoms like pelvic pain, cramps, heavy bleeding, pain with sex, and pain with bowel movements, among others.
According to him, the symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person. It can also vary in severity, and some women have no symptoms at all therefore it is important that women and girls who have menstrual pain that disturbs their normal chores ensure that doctors help to identify and treat the cause of the pain.
Dr Ajayi stated “we don’t really know the exact prevalence in Nigeria but we have seen that it causes a lot of infertility. Some researchers quote that between 30 to 50 per cent of patients with infertility have endometriosis.
“We estimate about 190 million girls worldwide have endometriosis. That is why we cannot be quiet about this. A lot of women are silently suffering from this condition; and then as much as this is a problem, it is largely undiagnosed and undetected for many years.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- ‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’
- Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
- Police, Amotekun after criminals on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- Suspected cannibal pays N500,000 for boy’s human organs, says ‘that’s my favourite meal, especially the throat’
- Court awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion over invasion of his home by military, asks FG to apologise
“All over the world, there is between 8 to 12 years void between when the symptoms start and its diagnosis. Of course, during this period of time, the quality of life of the sufferer is not spared. It costs so many women their careers; so many homes have been broken because of endometriosis.”
Ajayi, however, stated that medical doctors should have a high sense of suspicion of endometriosis in women of reproductive age groups that experience such things as abdominal pain, coughing out blood or shoulder pain and other abnormal conditions during menstruation.
A former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, in his keynote address at the webinar called for more research and awareness towards ensuring effective prevention, early diagnosis and management of endometriosis among Nigerian women and girls.
Adewole, an Endo Champion of the ESGN, who was represented by Professor Chris Aimakhu, decried the limited awareness about the condition.
and then