Lack of awareness fuels prevalence of endometriosis in Nigeria

Experts are calling for deeper awareness among Nigerian women of endometriosis, which they say is on the rise in the country.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body.

The condition affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide regardless of their ethnic and social background. Many remain undiagnosed and are therefore not treated.

It is generally acknowledged that an estimated 10% of all women during their reproductive years (from the onset of menstruation to menopause) are affected by endometriosis, which has to deal with the symptoms of endometriosis during the prime years of their lives.

According to Abayomi Ajayi, a fertility expert, and managing director, Nordica Fertility Centre, during a walk organized by the centre to mark this year’s endometriosis month said, “The prevalence of endometrosis, a disease that was not previously common in the country has become such that 1 in 10 Nigerian women suffer from it.”

He advised women and young girls to see a gynaecologist when their menstrual pain is too much saying that they should not be ashamed to describe exactly what the problem was.

“When your menstrual period is very painful, until you know why it is so, don’t rest,” he said.

He further said endometriosis awareness month is commemorated annually in the month of March, and that Nigerians held the walk to join in the global endometriosis march and create awareness about the disease.

Uzoma onuoha a gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Centre keffi ,said a lot of Nigerian women do not know about endometriosis, it affect the quality of women especially women of reproductive group. It affect its incidence varies, it is a menstrual pain that dysmenorrhea, it is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain.

He said studies have put the incidence from 8-25% and lack of facilities affect treatment.

Experts say the three major ways endometriosis manifests are infertility, severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) and dyspareunia (pain during sex) or chronic pelvic pain.

“Endometriosis is only a physical problem and there is a psychological distress it has on the women or young girls that cannot be underscored enough, because of the devastating effect on quality of life due to it is very painful, which can lead to depression and anxiety.as it is, women are known to be easily depressed and full of anxiety so they struggle with the disease,” said uzoma

Endometriosis affects women in the prime of their lives, often impacting in their ability to maintain relationships, mind-set and a healthy social life.

Larne yusuf a medical practitioner in Lagos says the major issues with endometriosis in this part of the world is under diagnosed, it assumed that every girl that have a painful menstruation, because of the symptoms it presents, the pain often correlates to the menstrual cycle, but a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain that does not correlate to her cycle and this is what makes this disease or condition so unpredictable and frustrating.

He said that untreated endometriosis may cause infertility and it is estimated that 30-40% of women with endometriosis may not be able to have children by the time they realize it may have gone up for many years.

“More awareness needs to be created in Nigeria because most women are on aware and management of this disease may be a long term process” said yusuf.

Anthonia Obokoh