Young women most at risk of undiagnosed endometriosis: HMC



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According to one of Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) leaders, with endometriosis affecting up to one in ten women, it is young women who are at greatest risk of being misdiagnosed or misdiagnosed for endometriosis.

Dr. Jonathan Herod, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Welfare and Women's Research Center (WWRC), explains that this is partly due to a lack of awareness of chronic disease.
Endometriosis is a progressive gynecological condition that doctors currently view as incurable. The diagnosis of endometriosis can be difficult because the symptoms vary considerably, with many other conditions showing similar symptoms.
"A general lack of awareness on the part of women and health professionals, because of the normalization of symptoms of an illness such as endometriosis, could result in a significant delay between the time a woman her first symptoms and when she is diagnosed and treated, "said Dr. Herod.
Each year, approximately 100 women are admitted to hospital HMC care units for endometriosis and related complications. Dr. Herod notes that although endometriosis does not have a known cure, pain medications, hormone therapy and surgery can help suppress the disease and fight against pain and infertility.
The World Health Organization estimates that about 176 million women worldwide are suffering from endometriosis. Dr. Herod says that chronic disease affects women during their reproductive years, usually between the onset of menstruation and menopause. The often painful disorder is caused by the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus – the endometrium – developing outside the uterus. The main symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain often badociated with menstruation. Reduced fertility is one of the complications caused by the disease.
As the symptoms of endometriosis are often not specific, the diagnosis can only be established by the symptoms alone. Dr. Herod explains that to determine whether a woman's symptoms are related to endometriosis, doctors will review the medical history and perform a pelvic exam. Further investigations such as an ultrasound and a laparoscopic diagnostic procedure may also be recommended. This is a minor day operation where a fiber optic telescope is used to view the inside of the abdomen and pelvis.
In March, HMC partnered with the international community to recognize Endometriosis Awareness Month to highlight the disease and educate women of childbearing age on its symptoms and symptoms. his treatment. Dr. Herod said it was important to educate the public about this complex disease because, although it often involves serious undesirable symptoms, delays in getting a diagnosis are common.
"Public awareness and education about endometriosis is important because adolescent girls and young women in their twenties are not too young to suffer. In fact, most women experience symptoms in adolescence, 20 or 30 years, "he added.

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