I've met quite a number of patients who were severely affected by endometriosis.
A hospital staff who needed to be off work each time she had menses - up to 2 weeks each month. She took almost ALL analgesics available, tried on hormonal treatment - including the hormone treatment that rendered her menopause (temporary)...everything didn't work. She also had laparoscopic procedures twice for cyst removal. She's young, in her twenties. Is removing her ovaries an option?
Another patient, in fact 2 patients, had to end her relationship because of severe pelvic pain that she couldn't function as a human.
Generally, the awareness of how severe endometriosis can affect life is quite low. I have to admit that when I was a junior doctor - I didn't empathise much with those suffering from this condition. As I worked longer and met more patients with this condition, I learned that endometriosis can take someone's life & livelihood. It s not cancer, but the pain is so debilitating that one can become so depressed because of it and some even wanted to take their life away.
Let's be supportive to ease the burden of those suffering from endometriosis.
Reference
Management of endometriosis-related pelvic pain https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/tog.12375
Optimal Management of Endometriosis and Pain https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/2019/10000/optimal_management_of_endometriosis_and_pain.25.aspx
CPG 2016: Management of Endometriosis https://www.ogsm.org.my/docs/Endometriosis-guideline.pdf
Endometriosis care in Wales: Provision, care pathway, workforce planning and quality and outcome measures https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-03/endometriosis-care-in-wale-provision-care-pathway-workforce-planning-and-quality-and-outcome-measures.pdf
Endometriosis support group
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