March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
Men urged to learn about painful disease
Booysen urged women to approach a doctor if they suffer from painful menstruation, as this could be a symptom of endometriosis.
Elizabeth Booysen, the public relations and patient services officer at Ongwediva Medipark, has asked men to join women in observing Endometriosis Awareness Month and to encourage their spouses to go for screening.
“March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to learn more about this painful disease and what you can do about it,” she said last weekend.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue (similar to the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus.
Booysen said endometriosis is most common in women in their 30s and 40s, but can happen in anyone who menstruates.
“It attacks women only. The moment you start menstruating. Some of the girls will be rolling on the floor, saying they have menstrual pain. You need to consult a doctor so they can see if the pain is normal or abnormal.”
She added that if not treated early, endometriosis can prevent women from having children in the future.
“Once you reach stage four, it cannot be treated. You will be on a lifelong treatment.”
Symptoms
“Men, please take care of your women, sisters, aunties, mothers and grandmothers. Once they complain of menstrual pain, make sure they have it checked out,” Booysen said.
Endometriosis symptoms can vary and some women are badly affected, while others might not have any noticeable symptoms, she added.
She shared that the main symptoms are lower back or stomach pain, which usually gets worse during your period, as well as period pain that stops you from doing normal activities, pain during or after sex, and pain when peeing or having a bowel movement while on your period.
Other symptoms include a heavy period and difficulty getting pregnant.
For some women, endometriosis can have a big impact on their lives and may lead to feelings of depression.
Treatment
Treatment options vary and depend on the extent of the disease and the symptoms, Booysen said.
“Endometriosis may be treated with medication, surgery, or both. When pain is the primary problem, medication usually is tried first.
"Medication may include pain medications, birth control to prevent menstrual cycles and reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding when a period occurs, or special medications to suppress the ovaries from ovulating and menstrual bleeding temporarily. In some cases, surgery is needed.”
While endometriosis cannot be prevented, there are ways to lower estrogen levels, the hormone that helps to thicken the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and reduce the chances of developing the condition, she said.
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“March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to learn more about this painful disease and what you can do about it,” she said last weekend.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue (similar to the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus.
Booysen said endometriosis is most common in women in their 30s and 40s, but can happen in anyone who menstruates.
“It attacks women only. The moment you start menstruating. Some of the girls will be rolling on the floor, saying they have menstrual pain. You need to consult a doctor so they can see if the pain is normal or abnormal.”
She added that if not treated early, endometriosis can prevent women from having children in the future.
“Once you reach stage four, it cannot be treated. You will be on a lifelong treatment.”
Symptoms
“Men, please take care of your women, sisters, aunties, mothers and grandmothers. Once they complain of menstrual pain, make sure they have it checked out,” Booysen said.
Endometriosis symptoms can vary and some women are badly affected, while others might not have any noticeable symptoms, she added.
She shared that the main symptoms are lower back or stomach pain, which usually gets worse during your period, as well as period pain that stops you from doing normal activities, pain during or after sex, and pain when peeing or having a bowel movement while on your period.
Other symptoms include a heavy period and difficulty getting pregnant.
For some women, endometriosis can have a big impact on their lives and may lead to feelings of depression.
Treatment
Treatment options vary and depend on the extent of the disease and the symptoms, Booysen said.
“Endometriosis may be treated with medication, surgery, or both. When pain is the primary problem, medication usually is tried first.
"Medication may include pain medications, birth control to prevent menstrual cycles and reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding when a period occurs, or special medications to suppress the ovaries from ovulating and menstrual bleeding temporarily. In some cases, surgery is needed.”
While endometriosis cannot be prevented, there are ways to lower estrogen levels, the hormone that helps to thicken the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and reduce the chances of developing the condition, she said.
– [email protected]
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