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On the occasion of
the International Month on Endometriosis, gynaecologists have raised
concern on the need to frequently diagnose the illness so as to reduce
infertility rates (whose prevalence in Nigeria is 20-25 per cent among
married couples).

Endometriosis, an
extremely painful condition common in women of childbearing age,
affects over a million women in the U.S yearly.

It is responsible
for 10-15 per cent cases of unexplained infertility, although experts
say women with it can still be pregnant. However, in Nigeria, there are
no statistics as the disorder is often misdiagnosed.

“It is a condition
that is highly misdiagnosed and what gives it (Endometriosis) away is
that the woman feels the pain during her menstrual period, so it is
often mistaken as painful menstruation or sometimes tuberculosis,” said
Abayomi Ajayi, the Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Center.

“It takes a doctor
who is much aware of endometriosis to suspect it and thus diagnose it;
most doctors don’t even think about it, and that is why we are having
this talk – so that more people will be aware of it,” he added.

The chief
Embryologist at the Centre, Remi Ogundepo, added; “the condition is
difficult to diagnose, taking up to eight years from onset of
symptoms.”

Challenges in Nigeria

According to Dr.
Ajayi, one of the reasons for wrong diagnosis of this condition is
because it can only be diagnosed by Laparascopy, and not so many
hospitals have this equipment, nor the skilled manpower to diagnose it
in the country.

“A Laparascopy
machine costs N5 million. How many hospitals can afford that; secondly,
most of the doctors who have these skills don’t practice here, they are
in the U.K, or U.S. This is a challenge, yet women who suffer from this
condition go through so much pain and suffering.

“Secondly, there is low level of awareness stemming from the belief that the disorder doesn’t affect Africans.

“For a long time,
medical experts have believed that it is not a common disease with
Africans, but from the number of women we have treated (up to 200), we
know that endometriosis is real to those who have it, and wrong
diagnosis has even led to the death of many women.”

Prevention

According to the
U.S. National Institutes of Health, it occurs when tissues similar to
the uterine lining (endometrium) migrates outside the womb and implants
in other areas of the body such as abdominal cavity, ovaries, in the
lungs, brain, liver, umbilical area, and even the breasts.

Though it can be
treated with drugs or surgery, the cause of endometriosis is said to be
unknown, making prevention difficult. Nevertheless, certain
predisposing factors can be avoided.

“Avoiding dioxins, avoid postponing pregnancy till older age; but sometimes endometriosis is genetic.”