Introduction 

March, the 3rd month of the year, is dedicated to the cause of women, especially through its 8th day. It is also, and has been for only a few years, a month dedicated to raising awareness and providing information about a dreaded disease that operates in the shadows and affects the intimate lives of millions of women: endometriosis. So, what is this disease?

A Mysterious Unknown

Endometriosis is a disease in which cells from the uterus develop outside the uterus (ovaries, colon, bladder, lung, skin, etc.). Worldwide, one in ten women of childbearing age suffers from this disease. However, there are no exact statistics for Africa. The condition is misunderstood, not only by the general public, but also by medical professionals, leading to long delays in diagnosis (around 5 to 10 years between the onset of symptoms and identification of the disease). Like many other aspects of endometriosis, its causes remain unexplained. 

A Daily Torment

Endometriosis is a disease that has a considerable impact on quality of life. Physically, pain is the most common symptom. It is characterised by its intensity and resistance to painkillers. It occurs mainly during the menstrual period or during sexual intercourse but can be permanent. In addition to the pain, women suffering from this condition are often subject to fertility problems. Mentally, the consequences of endometriosis can range from anxiety to depression requiring psychiatric treatment. At a social level, women in Africa may be under greater pressure because of the difficulties involved in having children. Marital and family problems are not uncommon, and withdrawal is common. In economic terms, pain is a source of reduced professional performance. What’s more, diagnosis and treatment require fairly expensive techniques, most of which are only available in large medical centres, making them difficult to access for most people in Africa.

A Companion for Life

Endometriosis is not yet curable, but it can be treated. It is therefore possible to improve quality of life through treatment that may involve several different medical specialities (drugs, surgery, assisted reproduction, psychotherapy, alternative medicine). The proposed treatment does, however, make it possible to live with the disease without experiencing all the suffering. The picture of endometriosis is not entirely bleak. The last few years have seen major advances in both diagnosis and treatment, thanks to the mobilisation of sufferers.

Conclusion

Endometriosis is a disease about which little is known, despite the efforts and advances made in research in recent years. Its greatest strength is that it has long been left in the shadows and forgotten. Information and awareness-raising are therefore the best weapons in the fight against this silent torturer.