L‘endometriosis it affects 10-15% of the female population in the world. According to data from Ministry of Health, in Italy it affects over 3 million of women of childbearing age. However, it is about an underestimated figure: only a low percentage of those who suffer from it know they are affected. The diagnosis often comes after a long and expensive journey, most of the time lived with serious psychological repercussions.
Symptoms considered “normal”
«Endometriosis is an underestimated pathology because, unfortunately, symptoms are underestimated with which it manifests itself given that, for years, they represented “normality” in a woman’s life painful menstruation and, oh abundant, painful sexual intercourse, abdominal swelling and chronic stomach pain, headaches linked to the monthly cycle, are just some of the most common symptoms of the pathology”, underlines the Doctor Luigi Fasolinointernationally renowned gynecologist specializing in minimally invasive gynecological surgery.
Endometriosis: a social disease
«It is to all intents and purposes one “social disease”, a social disease, for two main reasons. On the one hand we have a woman that sees the quality of his life was affected at 360°: In the relationship with his familywho from a young age did not believe in his symptoms, in relationship with your partnerwho cannot accept a sexual life that is not constant or completely satisfying, at work because even a painful menstruation causes absenteeism and unproductivity. On the other, underestimating these symptoms leads to a diagnostic delay characterized by a symptoms that for centuries were considered “normal” in a woman’s life and as such that she has to “endure””, continues the expert.
7-10 year delay in diagnosis
We can speak on average of about 7-10 years delay in diagnosis of the pathology. A period in which the woman “learns” to endure the pain which, in some cases, becomes chronic, daily, constant, coming to convince herself that all that pain that prevents her from living her life is just the fruit of her mind. «A woman with endometriosis arrives at consult dozens of specialists who could keep telling her that he has nothing and that his symptoms are completely “normal”. We can only imagine how disabling all this could be from every point of view”, highlights Doctor Fasolino.
The invisible disease
«Unfortunately, today society does not consider endometriosis as a disabling disease because it cannot be “seen”. It is something invisible and further “invisibilised”. We are used to seeing pain, seeing impairment, a sick person must look like a sick person. It is difficult to conceive, therefore, that a young woman, perhaps of good appearance, could be so ill as to be able to see his quality of life was affected. That’s why too activists and influencers who expose themselves publicly When talking about their illness they are constantly gaslighted», underlines the expert.
Endometriosis and infertility
It is estimated that almost 50% of women affected by endometriosis may experience fertility-related problems. Have endometriosis does not necessarily mean you are infertile. In some cases, with a diagnosis timely And little ones measures, a spontaneous pregnancy may be possible. Other times, however, it may be necessary to intervention surgical or theaccess to medically assisted procreation techniques. This is because the presence of endometriosis can compromise the functionality of the ovaries, or permanently affect the correct activity of the tubes. «This is why a timely diagnosis is fundamental together with a medical or surgical strategy to improve a woman’s quality of life and guarantee future fertility», concludes Doctor Fasolino.
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