Endometriosis “ is a chronic and progressive disease ” that affects women, manifesting through intense and incapacitating pain, especially during menstruation, which “ is not normal ” – highlighted António Setúbal , Hospital da Luz Lisboa gynaecologist , in the TV show “A tarde é sua” , broadcasted by TVI channel on December 11. In endometriosis , the endometrium (lining of the uterus) develops outside the uterus, forming benign masses of larger or smaller size. In the different extrauterine locations, this tissue suffers alterations similar to those occurring inside the uterus during the menstrual cycle, frequently translating into pain. Since it is a “ tricky disease ” in terms of symptoms, “ it is necessary to follow and diagnose it ” – but endometriosis takes on average between 8 to 12 months to diagnose correctly and only after consulting several specialists, as explained by the coordinator of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department from Hospital da Luz Lisboa. António Setúbal identified the “classical” symptoms of endometriosis: pain during menstruation (accompanied or not by heavy bleeding), during intercourse, defecating or urinating. The disease translates into a great loss of quality of life for women, causes infertility in 35 to 50% of cases, and it may largely involve the organs adjacent to the uterus (causing rectum tumours, for instance). “ In young women, the pill is the easiest way to control the symptoms of endometriosis. But at some point, surgery is the only treatment ”, he added. António Setúbal on TVI channel (starting on 1 hour 11 minutes)
