The ManicaPost
Dr Mazvita Machinga
Health
ALTHOUGH March, which is Endometriosis Awareness Month is over, there is still need to discuss the condition.
From an article recently published in this newspaper, which was written by Dr Tendai Zuze, we learnt what endometriosis is and that when women are going through this, there is need to visit their medical health care provider for help.Apart from the physical challenges, endometriosis has a significant social and psychological impact on the lives of women.
We learnt that endometriosis is an often-painful disorder in which tissue like the one that normally lines the inside of a woman’s uterus the endometrium grows outside the uterus.
So it is a chronic inflammatory disease featured by presence of endometrial cells outside the uterine cavity.
We learned that endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.
Endometriosis can cause pain, sometimes severe, especially during menstrual periods.
Sometimes fertility problems also may develop. It can also cause severe bleeding. Another challenge is stigma and discrimination.
Women with endometriosis have reported experiences of being stigmatised.
Studies have shown that 62 percent of women with endometriosis do not visit the doctor or share with their loved ones what they will be going through. Rather, they end up isolating themselves.
Mental health issues
Apart from the physical challenges women with endometriosis experience they are also at risk of mental health issues. Symptoms of endometriosis often affect psychological and social functioning of affected women.
Research confirms a significant incidence of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and psychopathological symptoms among women with endometriosis.
These comorbidities could influence the severity of symptoms and the health-related quality of life of affected women and their families.
These can be so disabling and may significantly compromise social relationships, and the sexual life of a woman.
Data suggests that the experience of pelvic pain may significantly affect emotive functioning of affected women.
It has been demonstrated that high levels of anxiety and depression can amplify the severity of pain and so the cycle goes on and on.
There can be a vicious circle of chronic pelvic and psychological challenges. The aim is to break this cycle and learn how to manage the situation.
Addressing the psychological and emotional effects of endometriosis
Again, there is no one way of addressing the challenges. However, the following have been found to be helpful.
It is completely normal to feel you need emotional support as you deal with living with endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects more than just the physical body and can have a profound emotional impact on women and girls living with the condition.
- Learn more about endometriosis from your medical doctor.
- These are hidden personal illness and so it can be hard for some people to understand the physical and mental pain it can cause. So, one of the best things you can do is to learn about endometriosis.
Make sure you get help with the pain.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help from the people you trust — your partner, friends, or family when you feel upset or confused.
It is all too easy to shut your loved ones out because you do not want to burden them, or because you think they will not understand, but they are there for you.
- Use positive coping strategies such as focusing on things that make you feel good —exercising, spiritual resources and eating healthy food.
- Managing how this stress affects you and how you react to the stress by gathering necessary information and having support will also assist you.
- Engage in self-soothing techniques such as stabilisation and grounding.
- Seek help for any harms in interpersonal and affective relationships that you may be going through as a couple.
Dr Mazvita Machinga is a psychotherapist based in Mutare. For emotional and psychological support, please call 0771 754 519 or Toll-free Help line 08080482
