Endometriosis: A Silent Epidemic

Endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women of reproductive age globally. Despite this widespread prevalence, however, it receives little attention in developed, high-income countries.

Known to cause infertility and severe, debilitating symptoms, endometriosis is a painful condition even for women with access to modern medicine.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is common, endometriosis leaves tens of thousands of women bereft and scared, often unaware of what is happening to their bodies.

Combating this lack of education and gross underreporting is an ongoing problem for African women. Below we explore this condition and how awareness and advocacy help women seek help.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition caused when cells from the uterus lining grow outside the uterine cavity. This lining is called the endometrium.

Because endometrial tissue is highly sensitive to female hormones, as the body undergoes the natural reproductive cycle, this tissue grows, thickens, and breaks down just as it would normally do in the uterus.

This tissue is often found in the ovaries, bowel, and other pelvic areas. In rare cases, endometrial cells can be found outside the pelvic region.