Women’s Health Month: Endometriosis
We have all heard of endometriosis, but what is it exactly? Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can be found on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, intestines and other parts of the body.
The most common symptoms of endometriosis are menstrual irregularities and pain. Effective treatments include excision surgery to relieve pain as well as hormone therapy (estrogen fuels endometriosis).
Endometriosis is one of the major health issues women in the UK face. Women with the condition have a higher risk of suffering with hypertension, and women who have hypertension may also have a higher risk of endometriosis. The chronic systemic inflammation in endometriosis may predispose women with endometriosis to a higher risk of hypertension. It also drastically increases heart disease risk in younger women, according to research recently published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Health issues related to hypertension and Type2 diabetes cost the NHS a staggering £2.1bn every year.
Here are 10 facts about endometriosis according to Endometriosis UK:
• 1 in 10 women in the UK who are of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis.
• 176 million women worldwide have endometriosis- which is 10% of the world’s female population.
• 30-50% of women who struggle with infertility have endometriosis.
• In the UK, Endometriosis is the second most common gynecological condition
• 1.5 million women are affected by endometriosis which is a similar number to women who are affected by diabetes.
• It takes an average of 7.5 years from the first symptoms to get a diagnosis.
• Endometriosis costs the UK economy £8.2bn a year in treatment, healthcare costs and loss of work.
• There is no definite cure and the cause of endometriosis is still unknown.
Endometriosis can be hereditary, and pain associated with the disease varies from woman to woman. Some women experience extreme pain which affects their quality of life dramatically. Some women struggle to fall pregnant, whilst there are women whose pregnancies relieve the symptoms of the disease. Everyone has a unique experience which affects them in different ways.
This disease can affect every aspect of the girl/woman’s life, and some girls start experiencing the pain and discomfort of endometriosis as early on as their first period. School, work, relationships and everyday tasks can become extremely difficult. Due to a variety of factors like social stigmas and different cultures can make it near impossible for woman to openly talk about what they are going through and how others can help.
The most practical and effective way to make people aware of this disease is to educate and be educated. Woman need to support each other without judgment and try to help in any way they can- even if it is just listening to those who have endometriosis.
Checkup health is an app that can assist women remotely with monitoring high blood pressure and Type2 diabetes which is often linked to endometriosis. The app provides a solution for people who have these conditions and minimizes unnecessary travel to doctors and clinics.
Checkup Health has a team of medical experts who are available to support women going through the challenges endometriosis brings, in a safe and secure way.
With technology, expert medical help and education, women don’t have to suffer alone anymore- let us support and help each other and break the silence surrounding endometriosis.