Ondo, NGO Partner against Endometriosis, Adenomyosis Diseases

Fidelis David in Akure

As part of efforts to raise awareness for endometriosis and Adenomyosis diseases, a non-governmental organisation, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Foundation, in partnership with Ondo State government yesterday, took a sensitisation campaign to over 600 secondary school students in Akure, the state capital.

The event which featured menstrual hygiene and endometriosis awareness lessons and distribution of sanitary pads to the students was held at the Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure with the theme: “You are not alone.”

Speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Foundation, Mrs. Olabimpe Fapohunda-Dube, said it was important to create awareness to improve health outcomes for girls and women affected by endometriosis and Adenomyosis.

Olabimpe described endometriosis as a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus where it causes severe period pain except in asymptomatic people, which may cause scar tissue (adhesions) and cysts, stressing that increased awareness would help women reduce the risks of infertility and create a safer world where they can live a stigma-free life.

“Endometriosis affects women during their reproductive years. One out of 10 women may be affected. It is found in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, lining of the pelvic cavity, outer surface of the uterus, bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix and other locations.

“In rare cases these endometrial cells have been found on the diaphragm and in the lungs. The stages of endometriosis are (Il-minimal, mild, IIl-moderate, and IV-severe).

“The symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods (chronic pelvic pain that radiates to the legs, lower back pain, pain during ovulation, pain with sexual intercourse or after sex, painful pelvic examination, painful bowel movement or urination); heavy periods (excessive bleeding with or without clots); irregular periods (intermenstrual bleeding); prolonged bleeding; bloating; infertility amongst others.”

Olabimpe, said she believes that through such coordinated effort, a difference would be made in students’ lives.

“It was my personal experience with endometriosis. I had a condition but didn’t know what it was. It started at the age of 13 and it started with pain and I kept moving from one hospital to the other. So, it took about 16 years before I knew what was wrong,” she added.

While explaining that Adenomyosis is a condition which occurs when the lining of the uterus grows deep into the walls of the uterus, Olabimpe called on government at all levels to always give the NGO support in form of access and funding to reach more girls across the country.

“We are targeting all the secondary schools in Ondo State because it is important everyone knows about it because this will foster a supportive school environment for the students facing the challenges or similar challenges.

“We will continue to speak to the students, we will continue to engage them of better ways of proper disposal measures.

“Information, engaging them, assuring them and reassuring them, I think that’s the way to go. We’ve been to 20 schools across the country. I am from Ondo and decided that its time to come here.

“We’ve met with over 200 students in the state so far and we want to do more, so that more people will get to know about this,” she stressed.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Youth and Students Affairs, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunyemi, said the state government remains a gender-friendly state and has continued to enact a laws to support the girl child.

“The state government is a gender friendly state and even the first lady of the state had to lobby the state legislators to enact a law to support the girl child. “Government has been providing but we need to do more by collaborating with NGOs to ensure that girls schools are supported financially and materially in the State,” she added.

Earlier, the Principal, Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure, Omobola Ojoge, appreciated the state government and the NGO for counting the school worthy for the awareness campaigns.