Africa-Press – Botswana. Members of the public should discard norms that drive stigma and discrimination against endometriosis survivors, says Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi.
Endometriosis is a condition characterised by the presence of tissue resembling the lining of the uterus found elsewhere which causes a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in the formation of scar tissue (adhesions, fibrosis) within the pelvis and other parts of the body.
Addressing participants of an endometriosis awareness walk in Maun on Saturday, Kgosi Moremi said stigma surrounding the disease could affect one’s emotional well-being, mental health and discourage those living with the condition from getting help.
“Some people will not be able to open up about the disease because of stigma hence we should all come on board and support them to cope with the condition which is said to be negatively impacting women’s quality life and may strain intimate relationships,” she added.
Estimated to affect 190 million women and girls of reproductive age globally, the disease is associated with severe life impacting pain during periods, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, fatigue and sometimes depression and infertility.
Kgosi Moremi said a strong support system was important for any person with chronic illness.
She therefore challenged men to support their partners diagnosed with the disease.
A Botswana Endometriosis Foundation (BEF) trustee and also a survivor of the disease, Dr Boitumelo Mphusu, revealed that women with endometriosis went through a devastating experience and therefore needed support.
The cause of endometriosis, she said, was unknown and it could affect even children as young as seven years old.
There was also no cure for the disease, Dr Mphusu said.
She explained that the condition was frequently underdiagnosed or undiagnosed because its symptoms were categorised as normal uterine pain.
“To be 100 per cent diagnosed, one has to go through surgery and treatment is managed based on individual symptoms and we do our best to cope basing on the support from the society because we believe that the disease is not a death sentence,” she said.
Dr Mphusu said the disease had four stages and could be difficult to manage, both for those who have it and their loved ones.
Another endometriosit survivor, Ms Nono Mabote said the disease started as excruciating period pains.
After being told she had a cyst four operations later, it was only then that the disease was diagnosed, she said.
BEF founder, Ms Kgomotso Gagosi said the walk was one of the initiatives through which the foundation endeavoured to create public awareness about endometriosis.
The foundation’s mission was to ensure the disease was recognised as a chronic condition and to make sure it got the attention it deserved, she said.
Ms Gagosi said the foundation’s members had visited several schools around Maun to sensitise learners, teachers and parents about the condition which affected pubescent girls and women.
Some clinics had also been visited with the intension of empowering women and girls, she said. Ms Gagosi disclosed the foundation’s plans to spread its wings beyond Maun.
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