Hyderabad, March 27th 2017: The mission of Worldwide Endometriosis March (EndoMarch) is being hosted to bring awareness to endometriosis around the world. Dr. CamranNezhat from San Francisco, President and Founder of EndoMarch has appointed Dr. Rooma Sinha from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad as Team Captain for India, Hyderabad. The EndoMarch hosted at Hyderabad was flagged of by Ms Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals at Apollo Cradle, Jubilee Hills, on Saturday. She joined by Cine Actress Ms Rakul Preet Singh, Doctors, volunteers, walked up to Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, to raise awareness about endometriosis.
Speaking on the occasion Ms Sangita Reddy said, I appreciate Dr Rooma Sinha and EndoMarch for raising awareness about something very often forgotten, very often as many Indian women do to just tolerate and you tolerate the pain, you don’t take care of yourself and therefore it is important that awareness is raised about this. The EndoMarch is a global phenomenon, because women all over the world are united and standing up to say that we must do something about this and on behalf of Apollo I would like to say that we are committed, we have the technology, the skill sets, the capabilities to bring back smiles to many many women. The cause goes beyond the EndoMarch, the call is for good health for women and good health for India, she added.
Ms Rakul Preet Singh said, this is a problem which is very common, but there is a general psyche that lot of girls don’t like to talk about any of their personal problems anything to do with that time of the month, they think that having pain is a very regular thing, it is ok to have painful cycles and they shy away from talking about it. But let’s face the fact that it’s all very natural, we are blessed with it, we should be proud of it, if you are facing problems you need to bring it up, we need to address it. I would like to just spread that message that any of you are having that problem, please don’t shy away from addressing it, because it always good to take precautions rather than being late. It’s a great cause I am very happy that you reached out to me for associating with it.
Endometriosis is often a prolonged and progressive problem that women may suffer for many years in their lives. A potential cause of debilitating pain it can cause organ damage, infertility, and other severe and life-threatening medical consequences if left inadequately treated, said Dr. Rooma Sinha.
There is urgency for endometriosis awareness and advancement of endometriosis research. Joining hands with this international event, which is happening TODAY all over the world is to empower, educate and care for women suffering from endometriosis. EndoMarch is organised worldwide, every year on last Saturday of March (Worldwide Endometriosis Day®), to bring awareness for endometriosis.
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS
Tissue that forms the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is sometimes present in other places in some women. These sites can be ovaries, fallopian tubes, cul-de-sac (behind uterus), intestines, rectum, bladder.
Endometrial tissue outside the uterus also responds to changes in hormones each month. It also breaks down and bleeds like the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle every month. The bleeding inside the uterus has a passage to come out as menstrual bleeding. The bleeding at these extra uterine sites collect and forms cysts (chocolate cysts) or adhesions. This can cause pain, especially before and during period. Endometriosis is found in about one third of infertile women.
WHO ARE AT RISK
- Young women in their reproductive age
- Women with infertility
- Women with uterine defects like septum or bicornuate uterus
- It can run in the family
SYMPTOMS
Pelvic pain (pain in lower abdomen and back) is most common symptom. Such pain may occur with sex, during bowel movements or urination, or just before or during menstrual cycle. Menstrual bleeding may occur more than normal or in abnormal pattern. One third women who suffer from infertility have Endometriosis. Feeling of gaseous distension around the periods is also a non specific presentation. Some women with endometriosis may have no symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS is made by detailed clinical history andPelvic examination. Imaging modalities like Ultrasonography or MRI helps in diagnosis in later stages of the disease. Laparoscopy-Visual inspection is the standard method in diagnosing endometriosis
TREATMENT remains often prolonged for women who suffer from endometriosis. But cure is possible so never lose hope. Treatment is available in form of medical and surgical therapy and is offered depending on the problems that she is facing with. Mild disease is treated with medication, however for severe pain or infertility surgical treatment is a time tested method and necessary. Newer medications are now being approved for use and may make difference for these women in the coming years. Today Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard in treatment of endometriosis but needs expertise and experience. Therefore it is recommended that endometriosis surgery should be done at centers with experience and adequate infrastructure. Two new modalities in surgical treatment of endometriosis is Laser and the assistance of Computer assisted Robotic surgery. We at Apollo Hospital at Hyderabad are fortunate to use not just laparoscopic skills but also Laser and Robotic assistance to improve outcomes in women with endometriosis. In cases of infertility these women may require assisted reproductive techniques as well.
FAST FACTS ENDOMETRIOSIS
- An estimated 200 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis.
- Endometriosis can also affect teenage girls.
- Incapacitating painful menstruation probably due to endometriosis is one of the main cause for women to miss school or work.
- Endometriosis is commonly undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
- Common estimates indicate that there is 6-10 years delay before it is correctly diagnosed.
- Endometriosis is one of the top three causes of female infertility.
- Endometriosis can be a source of chronic pelvic pain and disability.
- Multiple medical opinions maybe needed before correct diagnosis of endometriosis is made.
- There is no blood test to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis.
- Visual inspection of endometriosis lesions is the gold standard method for diagnosis.