Many women living with endometriosis not aware of condition

According to a report by World Health Organisation (WHO), endometriosis affects roughly 10 percent (190 million) of the reproductive age women and girls globally.

Dr Ezekiel Mecha, an endometriosis researcher and senior lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Nairobi, notes that endometrial tissue can also be found in other places such as the brain, lungs, intestines and the peritoneum (abdominal membrane).

“There are many causes of endometriosis, the two common ones being genetic inheritance and retrograde menstruation when blood from your period flows backwards into your abdomen instead of out of your vagina,” says Dr Mecha.

Earlier, Dr Charles Muteshi, an endometriosis and fertility specialist said endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, known as endometrium, grows outside the uterus.

“Typically on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus and other organs in the pelvic cavity,” Dr Muteshi explains.

According to Dr Muteshi, one in ten women have endometriosis in the community. Among patients presenting with pelvic or chronic pain, 70 per cent may have endometriosis, while nearly 50 per cent of those seeking fertility treatment may have the condition.

Dr Kendrick Muganda, the Medical Superintendent at Life Care Hospitals in Bungoma said that when a woman reaches early menopause or real menopause the endometriosis symptoms will disappear noting that endometriosis is tailored along the menstrual periods; it will occur during the first menstrual period and last until the menopause or it could cause death.

Dr Muganda added that the chronic disease is associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements, urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety and infertility.