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Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Health Reporter
PRAISES flowed last month, to recognise the resilience, the effort, and the amazing achievements by women not only on planet earth but in our beloved country Zimbabwe.
As March came to an end, it pains to note that nothing much was said about endometriosis — a disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the womb. March is also Endometriosis Awareness Month.
The condition affects one in every 10 women and accounts for more than a quarter of childlessness.
What many often mistake as severe period pains or isilumo in isiNdebele and is somewhat accepted as normal culturally is actually endometriosis. It is associated with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, excruciating back pain, discomfort and loss of appetite.
It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility.
Endometriosis is classified into one of four stages: I – minimal, II – mild, III – moderate, and IV – severe.
The general public and some front-line healthcare providers are not aware that distressing and life-altering pelvic pain is not normal, leading to normalisation and stigmatisation of symptoms and significant diagnostic delay.
Sitshengisiwe* remembers screaming during a lesson at Luveve High School, Bulawayo, some time ago, drawing the attention of everyone, including teachers who concluded it was just the beginning of her pain-filled periods which are normal for some women.
“It was an embarrassing moment because by the time I left my classroom, everyone knew I had period pains and I struggled to walk back home. I would normally take 10 minutes to get home but that day I took an hour as the pain kept increasing. By the time I got home, I was vomiting, wailing in pain and that has been my normal ever since,” she said.
“I eventually went to the hospital and doctors told me I had endometriosis. My family just concluded it’s some form of severe period pain concluding I would have to bear the pain like every woman silently.”
She said from that time, she would miss days of school every month, nursing her painful abdomen and would only find a bit of relief when she used boiling water to soothe her stomach.
“I have visible burn marks on my tummy but believe you me the pain of boiling water on my skin is nothing compared to what I go through every period. I also drink ginger and herbal tea but the pain just doesn’t go away. I hear it will get better after childbirth but one day I hope to raise enough money and afford specialists who will help me deal with this permanently.”
Another “endo warrior” Mrs Irene Ncube* said the disease has brought so much pain in her marriage as her husband eventually impregnated their domestic worker as she is struggling to conceive.
“I suffer from endometriosis and due to that, I couldn’t do some chores because of the pain. My husband suggested we have a helper who would be doing these difficult chores and unfortunately he has impregnated our housemaid. The mother-in-law wants me out of the house. I am in pain and do not even know where to go because I never brought this upon myself,” she said.
Local celebrity, former Studio 263 actress, and an endo warrior Tinopona Katsande, took to her Facebook wall this week, sharing how even after doctors confirmed endometriosis would make it impossible for her to conceive she has two children.
“I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 17 and by the time I got to 32, I was told by my doctors that it was highly unlikely that I would ever have children due to the stage of the endometriosis. I had been trying desperately to have a child for years but I spent more time getting ops done on the fibroids and cysts and being on heavy pain management programmes,” she said.
“I kept abreast with all the latest endo treatments and diets and remained steadfast in prayer that one day I would hold my own precious gift. At 36 with no IVF and three huge fibroids, I discovered I was pregnant and gave birth to my first baby who is six years old now. Very few people have a baby with stage four endometriosis, hence I say he is a miracle. At 40 I gave birth to this my second.”
She bemoaned the fact that menstrual health issues are still taboo or shrouded in myths and misconceptions in Zimbabwe.
For Tin Tin, as she is popularly known, before her diagnosis she was told to brave the bad period like a woman as that would eventually stop once she gave birth.
“If you hear your daughter complaining every time she goes on her period that she is in agonising pain, if you see every month she has to skip at least one day or more of school or extracurricular activities, please don’t ignore or brush it off as ‘bad period pains’. Take her to get checked for endometriosis. Endometriosis has no cure yet, while period pains can be treated and go for good. Let’s not let our ignorance of this disease stop us from helping those who suffer from it,” added Tin Tin.
A local pastor and founder of Shunem Care – a support group for couples openly living with childlessness, Sikhumbuzo Dube said he became aware of the disease after his wife’s diagnosis.
“Endometriosis can make marriage sour and husbands who continually love their childless wives are evidence that caring is not extinct. Despite all the challenges she was facing, I decided to love her even more. As this Endometriosis Awareness Month came, my thoughts were taken to the days she was diagnosed,” said Pastor Dube.
He encouraged husbands to support their endo-warrior wives.
“Accompany your wife to the doctor since companionship can never be replaced. I think assisting her to do some chores is consoling as it shows you care enough,” he said.
The pastor said he also prepares delicious meals for his wife during that time of the month and ensures that no one talks ill about her.
“Nothing beats the ministry of presence, if you have nothing to say, it is better to quietly sit with her, with your arms around her. Buy her fresh flowers and tell her she means a lot. The ministry of touch makes a great difference. You can just sit by her bedside, and rub her back. Passionately touching her without saying much communicates that while she may not be in a position to provide you with sexual satisfaction (during the time of her illness), you still love her with passion.”
Renowned gynaecologist Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said members of the public suffering from severe period pains should seek medical attention as that is not normal.
“Women who suffer from chronic persistent period pains should see a doctor who can refer them to a specialist for proper diagnosis. While there is no Ndebele equivalent word for endometriosis although we always refer to it as isilumo, it’s important for members of the public to know there is a difference between hormonal imbalance and endometriosis,” said Prof Ngwenya.
“Early diagnosis usually helps women get treatments which can increase the chance of conception. With new technologies, we have seen that some women with endometriosis can conceive hence we continue to encourage anyone with those pains to seek help. Parents, spouses and guardians should also be supportive and aware of these issues which affect our women and our girls so that they know where to go in case there is a need.” —@thamamoe
Online Reporter