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.
‘March is marked as the 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.
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.
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 : - http://www.endomarch.org/
- http://www.endofound.org/
- http://endometriosis.org/news/support-awareness/endometriosis-awareness-2015/
- http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
- https://www.woodrufflab.org/blog/march-national-endometriosis-awareness-month
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endometriosis.html
Source: Medindia
