This gynecological disease is the leading cause of infertility in France. In our program “My life with endometriosis”, a patient testifies on the daily consequences of the disease.
- Endometriosis is defined as the presence outside the uterine cavity of tissue similar to the uterine mucosa which will undergo, during each subsequent menstrual cycle, the influence of hormonal changes.
- One in 10 women has endometriosis.
“It is a disease which affects more than 2 million French women and which takes an average of seven years to diagnose. We must do everything to ensure that it is better known, diagnosed, treated and accompanied. This is the goal of the strategy we are launching today”. In a video posted on Instagram, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the outlines of his plan to fight endometriosis.
Two lines of action
No budget or timetable has been concretely announced, but two major lines of action are emerging: the development of research and the improvement of access to care, with the creation of at least one center of expertise per region, capable of handling the most difficult cases.
In addition, a steering committee, which will soon be set up by the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, will establish national specifications and then delegate resources to the ARS in order to launch calls for projects. “This is a national strategy, an ambition, and the launch of a major movement on the disease. The concrete implementations will de facto take place with a steering committee”, explains the Government to Huffpost.
Several forms of endometriosis
Characterized by the presence and spread of endometrial cells outside of its natural site (uterine cavity), endometriosis can take several forms, such as adenomyosis (when it reaches the myometrium), deep pelvic endometriosis ( if it sits subperitoneally or invades the pelvic organs) or superficial pelvic endometriosis (for peritoneal involvement).
Endometriosis is manifested by a very suggestive set of symptoms:
– pain during menstruation (algomenorrhea) and during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), progressing to chronicity;
– urinary or digestive symptoms occurring during menstruation;
– infertility, the cause of which is multifactorial.
“These symptoms gradually and seriously affect the general condition of the patient: psychological balance, ability to work, sexual life, marital or family life”, explains the Academy of Medicine.
Below, the testimony of Yasmine Candau in the program “My life with endometriosis”:
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