• March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
• Endometriosis is a condition where the inner lining of uterus grows outside the womb, causing pelvic pain
• Endometriosis is the most common cause of infertility in women globally

March is designated as Endometriosis Awareness Month all over the globe. Endometriosis affects nearly 176 million women globally.

The US government and multiple medical societies and medical schools around the world such as American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology have designated March as Endometriosis Awareness Month to recognize and raise awareness of this condition affecting women.

The goal of an awareness month is to enable and strengthen patient and doctor understanding of this disorder, and develop better treatment and therapies. This month is symbolized by the color yellow and the yellow ribbon.

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue (inner lining of the uterus) grows in other areas like on the ovaries, behind the uterus, in the fallopian tubes, cervix, on the bowel or the bladder. This causes pain, infertility, and painful and heavy menstruation. Endometriosis is the most common cause of infertility in women globally.

The most common symptom of endometriosis is painful menstruation. Other symptoms include lower back pain, pain in the pelvis and pain during urination and bowel movement. Endometriosis can be diagnosed only through a laparoscopy procedure.

Treatment modalities include pain medications, hormone therapies and surgeries in some cases where removal of uterus or ovaries is necessary.

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2016

Endometriosis is a painful condition which often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Pain and social suffering often accompany this condition. This condition also psychologically impacts women. Endometriosis affects 1 in every 10 women and it is necessary to understand this condition and stay informed.

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The goal of an awareness month is to enable and strengthen patient and doctor understanding of this disorder and develop better treatment and therapies. This month is symbolized by the color yellow and the yellow ribbon.

During this month, free diagnostic screening camps and check-ups are held to encourage women to get themselves screened for risks. Women are encouraged to come out of their shells and share their stories and motivate others to seek early diagnosis and treatment. Women often suffer silently and in pain and this month is a time to come out in the open and speak against this condition.

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Many celebrities have come out and shared their experiences of endometriosis including actress Pamela Anderson  Marilyn Monroe, Hilary Clinton and  Dolly Parton. One of the co-founders of the Endometriosis Foundation of America is model-turned-top chef Padma Lakshmi who is actively engaged in fundraising for the organization’s activities. Endometriosis is not a condition to be ashamed of and this month is testimony to the brave women who inspire others to actively seek out help for this condition.

Reference:

1. http://www.endomarch.org/
2. http://www.endofound.org/
3. http://endometriosis.org/news/support-awareness/endometriosis-awareness-2015/
4. http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
5. https://www.woodrufflab.org/blog/march-national-endometriosis-awareness-month
6. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endometriosis.html

Source-Medindia