More research, awareness needed to tackle endometriosis — Adewole

A former Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has called for more research and awareness towards ensuring effective prevention, early diagnosis and management of endometriosis among Nigerian women and girls.

Adewole, an Endo Champion of the Endometriosis Support Group, Nigeria, ESGN, who presented the keynote address during a webinar organised to mark the 2022 edition of the annual ESGN Endometriosis Awareness month, decried what he described as limited awareness about the condition which causes a delay in its diagnosis and treatment.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 170 million women worldwide and 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. The tissue bleeds every month, and can cause severe and chronic pain.

Adewole, an Endo Champion of the Endometriosis Support Group, Nigeria, ESGN, who presented the keynote address during a webinar organised to mark the 2022 edition of the annual ESGN Endometriosis Awareness month, decried what he described as limited awareness about the condition which causes a delay in its diagnosis and treatment.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 170 million women worldwide and 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. The tissue bleeds every month, and can cause severe and chronic pain.

“The Founder of the ESGN, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, on his own part, described endometriosis as a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by the growth of the endometrium outside of the uterus.

“During menstrual flow, these lesions bleed in their locations leading to pain. The most common symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, painful bowel movement, menstrual pain and sometimes some degree of infertility.”