Not Well-Known, Yet a Common Disease: EndometriosisFor several years, I lived in pain and did not know why I had been having severe menstrual cramps. The pain would be so excruciating at times, I would lie in bed not wanting to do anything for weeks at a time. A year ago, I obtained my birth family's medical backgrounds. It was then I discovered I had inherited endometriosis from my birth mother. Finally, I knew what was wrong with my health and my gynecologist began to treat it. I had a laparascopy performed. I was bed-ridden for my entire spring break. I have been on various types of birth control pills and shots, such as Lupron and Depo-Provera. Currently, I am taking Orth-Novum (contraceptives), and have a check-up with my gynecologist every six months, unless I have complications before then.Many women have this disease, yet it is not very well-known. "Endometriosis is disease which affects over 6 million women and girls in the United States with almost 75 million more world-wide," Heather Guidone, director of Operations for the Endometriosis Research Center explained. Endometriosis is a disorder of the reproductive system in which portions of the lining of the uterus (the endometrioum) are growing out of the uterus. These pieces implant on other pelvic organs, the pelvic walls, and the outside of the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. Teresa Katrinak, 33, from Drake, Colo. has recently been diagnosed with endometriosis. She has been trying to conceive and discovered the disease has been causing the difficulty. "Laparoscopy is the only definite way to find out if you have endometriosis," Katrinak said. "Don't rely solely on a doctor. There is plenty of information regarding symptoms, treatments, and options. If your symptoms match up go and talk with your gynecologist," Katrina advises. Ashley Bamford, 19, of Andover, Md. said she was diagnosed with the disease at 16. "My school and social life were greatly affected," she said. "I was in pain, had awful headaches, fatigue nausea that I wasn't able to attend school. I would miss semesters at time," she said. Bamford is very pro-active for endometriosis awareness. She runs a support group for teenagers and young women with endometriosis. "Every time I look in my mailbox, I am reminded," she explained. She feels the worst side effect caused by her disease is missing out on a lot of her teenage years due to being in pain. She has been all kinds of treatments, such as painkillers, physical therapy, eight various brand of birth control pills, and acupuncture bio feedback. "We need to raise awareness so that women and teens won't be ashamed or embarrassed about having it. We also need to get the word out that teens and pre-teens can get this illness and it can be as severe as a 30 year old with it," Bamford said. Collette Abramo, 40, of Wood-Ridge, N. J. was officially diagnosed with endometriosis at age 21. "It (Endometriosis) can sometimes take over my daily life," Abramo said. She explained that at times, she feels so tired she does not even want to get out of bed. Abramo has had two laparascopies performed and has been on birth control pills now for 20 years. She has an impending laparascopy in June and a scheduled colonoscopy in May for adhesions and lesions on the bowel. "There is no public awareness about this at all. So many women are suffering and have no clue what is wrong with their body," she said. Abramo explained many of these women go from doctor to doctor and are continually told that the pain is all in their minds. "Those are the doctors that should not be practicing medicine," she said. The medical director and founder of the Institute for Female Alternative Medicine in Glendale, CA, Dr. Tirson del Junco Jr. said the disease is very aggressive. "It can be very debilitating and disabling. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible," he said. The Institute is a surgical practice so all patients are treated with some type of laser surgery. "We do a laparoscopy for our endometriosis patients, and put them on a natural supplement formula post operatively to reduce the continual spread of the disease," Dr. del Junco, Jr. said. He feels treatment is most effective if two laser sessions are done within a four month period. "Endometriosis can render a woman unable to work, attend school, care for herself or her family," Guidone said. She explained that last year a 17 year old female took her life after she was no longer able to stand living in pain every day. "Endometriosis not only robs one of their physical capablities, it also affects a person spiritually and mentally," Guidone said. Many women have come to ERC distraught over cases of miscarriage or infertility. "Endometriosis affects one in five women; chances are one of those women is your daughter, mother, sister or loved one," Guidone said. For more information on ERC, refer to either the website, http://www.endocenter.org, or call toll free at 1-800-239-7280.
Janet Michelle Coltharp
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