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Entering the main hall of the Capitainerie on Saturday, September 13, as a conference on endometriosis gets underway, a quick glance at the audience brings back the refrain of an old Véronique Sanson song: "C'est exclusivement féminin. "For among those present - over thirty - not a single man. As one woman remarked during the question-and-answer session: "There's a lot of work to be done in the workplace to raise awareness of this disease, especially among men. In fact, there are none today. "Indeed, to attend the conference devoted to the gynecological chronic inflammatory disease that is endometriosis, the male population did not jostle at the door.
However, even if this absence is regrettable, that's not the point. For the speakers (Dr Ludivine Chevallier, a surgeon specializing in endometriosis at Martinique University Hospital, Valérie Lorbat-Desplanches, co-founder and president of the Foundation for Research into Endometriosis), the aim was to raise awareness of the importance of endometriosis.sidente de la Fondation pour la recherche sur l'endométriose and Véronique Pereira, patient expert) to distill as much information as possible for the women present.
While one to two women in ten are affected by endometriosis in France (no specific data exists for the French West Indies), this disease, which was discovered in 1860, remains complex, as its exact causes are not yet understood. "Until we know where it comes from, we won't be able to treat it effectively," stresses one speaker.
Pain that worsens over time
To put it simply, the disease is characterized by cells that form lesions outside the uterus, on the ovaries, other organs, inside the uterine muscle and on the surface of the peritoneum. These lesions bleed during each cycle, causing adhesions between the organs and leading to pain and chronic fatigue. This is true both during and outside menstruation. These pains worsen over time," stresses Dr. Chevallier. Some patients are in pain almost all the time. "One of the many problems is that these chronic pains sometimes occur in the back or legs, suggesting sciatica. The disease can also manifest itself in digestive disorders or symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection.
Supported by visual aids, the speakers emphasize that 70% of women with endometriosis suffer from disabling pain, 80% experience limitations in their daily activities, and 40% have fertility problems ("Endometriosis is not a disease..."). Endometriosis is not synonymous with infertility, but is the primary cause of it", explains Dr Chevallier), 49% declare that their careers are hampered, and 25% are forced to change jobs. "We mustn't forget to mention psychological suffering," insists Dr. Chevallier, adding, "There isn't one endometriosis, but many endometrioses. "
Inappropriate remarks
The first piece of advice given to the women present was to consult a specialist: doctor, gynecologist, midwife... Unfortunately, research into this disease is almost ten years behind schedule. Treatments are therefore similar: painkillers, hormonal treatments, surgery when possible. The importance of research is emphasized on several occasions. For without progress in this field, affected women will continue to suffer. And practitioners will continue to suffer the frustration of relative incomprehension.
In addition, the lack of knowledge about the effects of this disease on the women who suffer from it leads to numerous inconveniences in their professional lives. Because women continue to work despite the pain," insists one speaker. And they come up against the problem of management culture in the workplace. When they arrive later in the morning because they can't get up because of the pain, when they leave earlier because they're exhausted, this is regularly accompanied by inappropriate remarks. "Should they talk about it at work? If the environment is benevolent, why not," answers Véronique Pereira. Otherwise, it's counter-productive. But an occupational physician can intervene to find appropriate solutions. "
Apart from research, awareness-raising is the watchword of the conference. In the professional world, but also in schools. Even if some parents are reluctant to discuss "the sexual sphere" and gynecology. However, a school nurse assures us that prevention is carried out on a regular basis at the college. Nevertheless, much remains to be done in terms of medical research and raising public awareness. Particularly among men.
