If you are a woman struggling with infertility without any medical explanation, it could be that you have Endometriosis, a disorder in which the tissue that forms the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterine cavity. This is because Endometriosis happens to be the cause of half of all unexplained infertility, affecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, Medical Director Nordica Fertility, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, said. Explaining further, Dr. Ajayi, who is the Country Affiliate Partner Representing Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria (ESGN), said, the endometrium tissue can grow on your ovaries, bowel, and tissues lining your pelvis, causing irritation, scar formation, adhesions- in which tissue binds your pelvic organs together, severe pain during your periods and of course fertility problems.
He said the reasons why Nigerians must rise against the condition were many. More so, that it affects women in the prime of their life and may also be the cause of half of all unexplained infertility.
Ajayi noted: “ Often dismissed as ‘women’s troubles’, Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet a lack of research and funding means sufferers can live in severe pain, unable to work or socialize. The hidden toll and extraordinary neglect of this disease affects millions of women around the globe, causing many to suffer a life of pain and debilitation and sometimes infertility. Unfortunately, some primary care doctors do not know what it is and the specialists to whom they are sent are not just thinking of it. “
He further added: “It is not a lifestyle disease. It is not a disease you get later in life. It attacks teens, young women when they should be out being active, working, having children, having sex – 50% of them are struggling with sex because it is too painful. Endometriosis has existed in the twilight for centuries because of society’s reluctance to discuss what was euphemistically known for so long as “women’s troubles”.
To avoid delay or possible miss diagnosis of the condition, Ajayi appealed to government to provide training, funding and treatment facilities for the management of the condition, stressing that vast numbers of women are misdiagnosed, mislabeled and misunderstood thereby subjecting them to severe pain, inability to work, socialize or maintain a meaningful relationship.
Though Endometriosis has no cure for now, Ajayi said it can be effectively managed when diagnosed early, urging the media to spread message of hope to those affected.
“Each year, we join our partners all over the world to wear yellow so our sisters, daughter, granddaughters and great granddaughters won’t have to suffer in silence”, Dr. Ajayi told newsmen, during a press conference at Nordica Fertility Clinic, on Monday.
According to the Nordica boss , some of the lined up awareness activities include; Endo Walk 2016, which will take place in Abuja and Lagos on the 18th of February and 5th of March 2016 respectively. “We are inviting both public and private sector participants to join us on these great walks to drive top of mind awareness. The worldwide Endo March in Washington DC & California USA will hold on March 19th 2016”, he said.
Other activities lined up for the exercise are Physician Roundtable which will bring medical experts from around the world on the 8th of April 2016 at the Civic Centre, Lagos to discuss endometriosis with doctors in Nigeria and the Endo Gala Night taking place on April 9th 2016 aimed at raising funds.