TITLE:
Endometriosis: An “Unexplored”, “Neglected” or “Forgotten” Condition in Africa?
AUTHORS:
John J. K. Annan, Roderick E. Larsen-Reindorf, George A. A. Frimpong, Osei Owusu-Afriyie
KEYWORDS:
Endometriosis, Endometrioma, Laparoscopy, Pelvic Pain
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.9 No.1,
January
11,
2019
ABSTRACT: Endometriosis is a condition that is commonly encountered in
gynaecological practice. Endometriosis has varied, non-specific clinical
presentations and its diagnosis sometimes poses a challenge to the clinician.
We have encountered various women with clinical presentation highly suggestive
of endometriosis. Further diagnosis using imaging and biopsy confirmed
endometriosis. This paper presents our experience of endometriosis in our care
of African women and a review of the literature on endometriosis. We want to
highlight the various clinical presentations of endometriosis, appraise the
various methods for diagnosis, discuss the treatment modalities available and
evaluate the impact of this condition on women. We want to emphasize the fact
that African women also suffer from this condition, and impress upon
clinicians, the necessity for closer look for the condition, stimulate
discussion and research into endometriosis in Africa as it seems this condition
is “neglected or forgotten” in
Africa.