‘Don’t ignore period pain, test for endometriosis’

Kolkata: Endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating condition, frequently mistaken for routine menstrual discomfort, is emerging as a significant women's health concern—especially, among young, urban women. Many were diagnosed only when they underwent tests on failing to conceive, said gynaecologists on World Endometriosis Day on March 28.Kolkata has seen a noticeable rise in young women suffering from endometriosis, with symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps and difficulty in conceiving. Many of them initially dismissed their symptoms as "normal period pain", resulting in delayed intervention, said experts.It is a condition in which cells, similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus. A growing number of cases are being reported among women in their 20s and 30s, especially in urban centres. "We have seen a worrying rise in the diagnosis of endometriosis cases, mostly among adolescents and women of reproductive age. It is often dismissed as period pain. With time, it gets chronic and the disease progresses, making it untreatable," said Bani Kumar Mitra, founder and chief consultant, Abha Surgy Centre.Endometriosis is often diagnosed when women fail to conceive. "On testing, it is often revealed that the patient has endometriosis but they never consulted a doctor," said Charnock Hospital gynaecologist Dibyendu Banerjee. Endometriosis was a genetic disease with oestrogen as a principal contributory factor, said Mitra. "Then there are immunological aspects, too. Patients with genetic predispositions or immunological deficiencies are prone to endometriosis," said Mitra. The disease has two primary symptoms, pain and infertility, according to Banerjee. "A lingering pain during period should not be neglected and proper testing should be done. Failing to conceive is a common symptom, but initial symptoms, mostly menstrual pain, should be taken seriously. It can be cured with early treatment. We have treated several who have conceived," added Banerjee. More awareness and tests also led to an increased number in cases, said Mitra. Management of endometriosis depended on the severity of the condition and the person's reproductive goals, said Sujata Dutta, consultant gynaecologist, Bhagirathi Neotia Woman and Child Care Centre. "It involves pain management, hormonal therapy and procedures, like laparoscopy," she said, adding women in Kolkata with high-stress lifestyles, sedentary habits and those delaying pregnancy frequently got it. "But it can affect women across all demographics."It needs long-term treatment or it could recur, said M M Samsuzzoha, consulting gynaecologist, Manipal Hosp.