Endometriosis Affects One in Ten Women, Says Fertility Expert

 By Martins Ifijeh

The Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Ajayi Abayomi, has revealed that one in 10 women of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis.

He said the lack of research and funding to tackle the scourge means sufferers live in severe pain and unable to socialise or work, adding that, the hidden toll and extraordinary neglect of the disease affects millions of women around the globe, causing many to suffer a life of pain and debilitation and sometimes infertility.

Abayomi, who said this at a press conference in Lagos to announce the forthcoming annual Endo-Walk, tagged: ‘End the Silence’, explained that the scourge affects women in the prime of their lives, as it was not a lifestyle disease. “It is not a disease you get later in life. It attacks teens and young women when they should be active, working, having children or having sex. 50 per cent of them are struggling with sex because it is too painful,” he said.

Endometriosis, according to experts occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere, most commonly on the ovaries, in the recto-vaginal septum, bladder and bowel. That tissue behaves like the lining of the womb, bleeding every month, and can cause severe and chronic pain.

Abayomi explained that Endometriosis has existed in the twilight for centuries because of society’s reluctant to discuss what was euphemistically known for so long as women’s trouble.
“Unfortunately, most doctors mistake the disease for just menstrual cramp,” he said.

According to him, there were vast number of women mislabeled and misunderstood, thereby subjecting them to severe pain, inability to work, socialise or maintain a meaningful relationship. Adding that, the condition may be the cause of half of all unexplained infertility.

On the forthcoming Endo-Walk, he said the awareness walk would take place in Abuja and Lagos on the 18th of February and 5th of March 2016 respectively. “Experts around the world will be invited on the 8th of April to discuss on a round table on Endometriosis at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

“A fund raising dinner and gala night have been scheduled to talk to both the public and private sectors of the economy, while funds realised will be dedicated to helping women suffering from the condition,” he stressed.