António Setúbal , the director of Gynaecology-Obstetrics at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, is the co-author together with Sara Carvalho , researcher and founder of Mulherendo (Portuguese Association to Support Women with Endometriosis), of a chapter in the recent publication “Endometriosis in adolescents: a comprehensive guide to diagnosis and management”. Under the editing coordination of the renowned surgeon Ceana H. Nezhat (of the Nezhat Medical Centre, in Atlanta, USA), the book is considered, among the international medical community, as the first and most complete scientific work on endometriosis in adolescent women. Endometriosis is an inflammatory chronic disease, where tissue similar to the uterus interior lining develops in the outside. For a long time, it was thought that it only affected women over 20-23 years old, but studies undertaken proved that the disease also affects adolescents , in even greater proportion, according to recent scientific researches. Just like in other age groups, it remains largely underdiagnosed or tardily diagnosed , due to the tendency of women, and even doctors, to underestimate pain and the discomfort it causes, especially during menstruation. In “Endometriosis in adolescents: a comprehensive guide to diagnosis and management”, different aspects and mechanisms of the disease are approached, that are fundamental for a better diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in adolescents . Sara Carvalho, who is a researcher at the Linguistics Centre of Universidade Nova de Lisboa (CLUNL), besides founder of Mulherendo, and António Setúbal, specialist in endometriosis and laparoscopy at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, sign the chapter “Defining endometriosis for doctors and patients”, where they approach the issue of communication between patients/doctors and doctors/doctors, as a key factor for a better diagnosis of the disease. Resorting to practical examples (fictional), the authors provide some “reflexions and strategies” towards “a clearer communication” between doctors, adolescent patients and their families, on the disease. “A more efficient communication may help reaching a diagnosis, besides contributing to a better management of endometriosis”, they argue. “Defining endometriosis for doctors and patients”
