2024-01-17 14:48:56
On average, the diagnosis is made after seven years of symptoms. Marine waited three times longer to have her endometriosis recognized, despite experiencing severe pain since puberty.
At 33, Marine has just learned that she has endometriosis. She was diagnosed just five months ago although the symptoms started much earlier, during puberty.
“The pain started with my first period when I was 11 years old, extremely violent with vomiting, discomfort, says Marine. My pain was not really understood, I have a mother who has never suffered, so we didn’t really understand what was happening. And despite gynecological follow-up and examinations, I never had a specific diagnosis. The only answer was if you have pain, you take medication, stronger and stronger, and it’s normal for a woman to have pain, that’s how it is.”
Like Marine, one in ten women suffer from endometriosis in France. And waits on average seven years before being diagnosed.
“There is a mismatch between 10% of the population [qui est touchée par la maladie] and very few specialists, justifies Jean-Philipe Estrade, endometriosis surgeon in Marseille, the symptoms are very vague, they are pain. Culturally, we accept and we should not accept that women suffer throughout their lives, for various reasons. We let things happen a little.”
According to him, a woman meets about five doctors before receiving a diagnosis
It is true that the medical profession does not believe in it, has not been educated to listen to women and make insightful diagnoses.
Jean-Philippe Estrade, endometriosis surgeon
France 3 Provence-Alpes
Due to her incomprehension, Marine sought relief in alternative medicine. Plants, acupuncture, microkinesitherapy, “Some work well,” she assures us, “but it’s not enough and in the end, we end up being resigned.”
Tired, Marine finally changed gynecologists once again. And manages to receive, 22 years after his first pain, appropriate treatment. It’s a return to normal life and “a relief”.
To speed up the diagnosis, Jean-Philippe Estrade initiated the creation of an application dedicated to endometriosis. Luna, officially launched in March 2023, allows diagnoses to be made in 11 days to three weeks, according to the gynecologist. Women experiencing pain during periods can, via a test on the application, establish a pre-diagnosis before being redirected to health professionals.
Particularly at the Bouchard clinic in Marseille, a pioneer in the field. The Endomarseille Provence center has been offering specialized treatment for endometriosis since the spring. A second center opened in Aix-en-Provence on Wednesday January 17.
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With Cédric Cottaz and Alban Poitevin.
1705503379
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