João Sequeira Alves, an obstetrics-gynecology doctor at the Hospital da Luz Lisboa, explained during the ‘A tarde é sua’ program, broadcasted by RTP on July 14, what is endometriosis and how it can be successfully treated, even at the level of women’s fertility. Endometriosis is a chronic illness in which the uterine lining cells (endometrium) of women develop outside their usual place, forming benign masses of greater or lesser extent and which continue to react to ovarian hormones, inflaming and causing pain. «This disease is usually associated with pain and often with infertility (perhaps 50% of women with infertility may already have or will have endometriosis)», said João Sequeira Alves. The specialist pointed out that the tendency to devalue pain must be fought. «One has to think that the pain that certain women have every month at the time of menstruation may not be normal. And if it’s intense and disabling, preventing them from living a normal life, then it must be evaluated because it may be endometriosis. Even if it’s pain associated with other complains, such as pain during sexual intercourse». Medication or surgery are the possible treatments for this disease that has no cure, he added. And when couples can’t have children, the possibility of existence of the disease must also be considered, having been registered during the last few years «many advances in infertility treatments that make it possible for many women with endometriosis to have children». Watch here the participation in the program (from the 8th minute)
