The endometriosis It is a medical condition that affects millions of women around the world. It is characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which can cause a variety of painful symptoms and, in some cases, fertility problems. Although it is a common disease, it is often underdiagnosed and misunderstood. That’s why, as part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s #NoEsNormal campaign, we spoke with Julieta TartagliniProduct Management Associate en Johnson & Johnson MedTech, y la Dr. Monica Boninhead of the Endometriosis Comprehensive Treatment Program at the Private University Hospital of Córdoba, about the importance of raising awareness about this condition.
Since 2020, Johnson & Johnson MedTech has been working on an endometriosis awareness campaign, called #NoEsNormalwith the intention of generate content that accompanies the clinical references that treat the pathology. The importance lies in the fact that this benign, inflammatory, estrogen-dependent and chronic disease, affects one in ten women of childbearing age in Latin America.
Thus, the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus generates symptoms ranging from pain during or after sexual intercourse, painful urination, dysmenorrhea, discomfort in the pelvic area and lower back; to heavy menstrual bleeding and/or between periods, infertility, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and depression or anxiety.
It can be treated through painkillers, hormonal therapy, or minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy, with surgical resection of endometriosis foci and organs involved; and an important pillar in the treatment of the pathology is the nutritional approach with an anti-inflammatory profile, low glycemic index and low estrogen content. Currently, research is being carried out on Intestinal microbiota and its influence on development as well as on the prevention of pathology. Together with doctors specializing in endometriosis, journalists and influencers who suffer from the disease, they are looking for promote its early detection so that patients have access to correct treatment.
“Although endometriosis affects the quality of life of women, with the correct medical, nutritional and surgical approach, if the case requires it, it is possible to control it and maintain a healthy life“, says Dr. Mónica Bonin. “It is important to have adequate information and consult with a specialist doctor who works as a multidisciplinary team to obtain an early diagnosis and correct treatment,” she adds.
The slogan of the campaign arises because severe aches and pains during menstruation and sexual intercourse, as well as other conditions linked to endometriosis, are considered “normal”. As a consequence of normalization and misinformation, many women do not consult a doctor and suffer the consequences of the pathology without knowing that they have it. For the same reason, also diagnosis can take an average of five to eight years and few women consult with a specialist doctor.
“Our main objective with the #NoEsNormal campaign is to raise awareness about the pathology, and help women suffering from the disease to diagnose it in time to stop normalizing the pain. We seek to reverse the misinformation situation so that more women are able to recognize the symptoms and consult a health professional”, concludes Julieta Tartaglini.
