Endometriosis patient support group launches in London
A new support group for women with endometriosis has been launched by a patient at BMI The Kings Oak Hospital in Enfield, London. The Enfield Endometriosis Support Group, set up by Melissa Stratton, aims to respond to the needs and support all women in the local community who are suffering with the symptoms of the disease for which there is no cure.
Endometriosis affects two million people in the UK and is characterised by the growth of tissue similar to that found in the lining of the womb, in other areas of the body. The tissue responds to a woman’s hormonal cycle but, unlike the lining of the womb during a period, remains within the body where it bleeds and forms lesions, blood-filled cysts and scar tissue. This leads to inflammation, pain, infertility, and other medical problems. Frequently misdiagnosed, the cause of the disease is unknown and in the UK it takes on average eight years for a correct diagnosis to be made .
Melissa found out she had endometriosis back in 2009 after six years of misdiagnosis. Speaking on the launch of the support group, Melissa commented, “Endometriosis is a condition that isolates its sufferers and makes them feel like they have no one to turn to. I set up this group not only to provide a forum for women with the condition to offer and share advice but also to raise awareness around a condition which effects women of all ages. There is no cure for endometriosis, but it is a condition that can be managed once a correct diagnosis is made and that is why setting up this support group was so important to me. My hope is that more women with endometriosis can get the diagnosis they need to allow them to seek the advice and treatment required to help them lead a more normal life.”
Endometriosis occurs in women between the ages of 12 and 50 and is commonly associated with infertility. The symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person and some women may have no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of endometriosis include:
painful or heavy periods
pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), pelvis or lower back
pain during sexual intercourse
bleeding between periods
fertility problems
discomfort when urinating
bleeding from your back passage (rectum)
Rare symptoms include:
bowel blockage (if the endometriosis tissue is in the intestines)
coughing blood (if the endometriosis tissue is in the lung)
Speaking on the symptoms of endometriosis, Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician Miss Moneli Golara at BMI The Kings Oak Hospital commented, “The pain experienced from this condition varies dramatically between women. However, for most women the pain is experienced in the area between their hips and the tops of their legs. Some women experience this pain all the time while for other the pain comes and goes. The severity of these symptoms is dependent largely on where in your body the endometriosis is, rather than the amount of endometriosis you have. A small amount of tissue can be as painful as, or more painful than, a large amount. If you suspect that you may have endometriosis it is important to visit your GP and seek referral to a gynaecologist who is an expert in this field. Through diagnosis and effective management and treatment this condition can be managed and a patient’s quality of life can be dramatically improved upon. More needs to be done to raise awareness around this condition and I whole heartedly support the launch of this new patient support group at The Kings Oak Hospital.”
The Enfield Endometriosis support group, which is open to all women, will meet every month at BMI The Kings Oak Hospital and will provide an environment for women to exchange ideas, coping strategies and current treatment information. For more information on the support group please contact Melissa Stratton via email on: enfieldendometriosis[at]hotmail.co.uk or visit the Enfield Endometriosis support group’s website at: facebook.com/enfieldendometriosis.