President of EndoSurvivos International Foundation, Sophy Nwakuba, has said not all menstrual pains and cramps are normal; noting that some may be linked to endometriosis

Ms Nwakuba, a gynaecologist and Managing Partner of StrongTower Specialist Hospital and Fertility Centre, spoke during an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

Endometriosis is an often-painful condition in which a tissue similar to the one that lines the inside of the uterus – endometrium – grows outside the uterus.

The disorder can cause severe pelvic pains during menstruation.

She decried that most women and young girls that have painful menstruation usually generalised it to be a normal thing, saying that not all menstrual pains/cramps should be considered normal.

She said that most menstrual pains were caused by an endometriosis condition, but many people do not know because they assumed it to be normal for women to undergo pains when seeing her menses.

She explained that the condition mostly affects women that were within the reproductive age, causing about 40 per cent of infertility among women.

According to her, the condition has scattered many marriages as it has rendered some women barren.

Ms Nwakuba, therefore, advised young girls and women who experience severe menstrual pains to seek medical attention as that might be a sign of endometriosis. 

She advised parents, caregivers and teachers to desist from generalising menstrual pains to be normal but rather encourage their wards/daughters to seek medical interventions.

According to her, mild discomfort with periods may be normal, but pain that stops a woman from working or going to school or other daily activities is not normal and should be evaluated by a gynaecologist

She said, “I was a victim of endometriosis. I started experiencing painful menstruation from the day my menstruation began at 13. At the time, my parents told me that I will get over it with time or when I get married. Even after marriage, the menstrual pains persist; a doctor told me that if I get pregnant, the pains will go. But then, how do I get pregnant since endometriosis causes infertility. So, it becomes a big challenge because then, I do not know much about endometriosis.

“That’s why we are clamouring for awareness because people need to be educated so that women that are experiencing the peculiar symptoms of endometriosis will stop dying in silence but rather seek for the right medical care. Endometriosis is the leading cause of depression among women because lots of people with the condition are dying in silence and depression due to ignorance/lack of information.’’.

A radiographer, Dr Bode Ademola, said there were cost-effective ways through which endometriosis could be diagnosed and treated.

Mr Ademola identified diagnosis as a major challenge in the management of endometriosis.

He said that ultrasound and imaging modalities could help in the diagnosis of endometriosis compared to the magnetic resonance imaging, which might be more expensive.

According to him, the transvaginal ultrasound scan that cost about N1,500 can be used to detect endometriosis, as not everybody can afford the MRI scan of N70,000 or above.

“We are looking for cost-effective methods of diagnosing endometriosis for the third world countries, whose earning power may not be high, and they should not die or suffer because they do not have money. Not everybody can afford the MRI or the surgical interventions. So, if we can downplay on the ultrasound modalities, it will go a long way to help those with endometriosis condition.

 “If a woman is having painful menstruation, she shouldn’t just keep quiet – let her take the first line of action – go for the transvaginal ultrasound and detect the condition, then take it from there.’’

The radiographer emphasised that early detection was key in the management of endometriosis. 

(NAN)