Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Genetic factors may increase endometriosis risk, doctors warn
Severe menstrual pain should not be dismissed as normal, medical experts caution, as genetic and epigenetic factors may predispose women to endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting one in ten women and girls. Early diagnosis remains critical as many Indian women face diagnostic delays of up to a decade.
LSN India ·
Medical professionals are urging greater awareness of endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining develops outside the uterus, often going undiagnosed for years. The condition affects approximately one in ten women and girls globally, yet many sufferers experience persistent dismissal of their symptoms as a normal part of menstruation.
Dr Priti Arora Dhamija, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, emphasised that endometriosis causes severe period pain, pelvic discomfort, and can significantly impact fertility and quality of life. "Symptoms of period pain are often dismissed as 'normal' because many of us lack awareness of this condition," she said.
Recent medical evidence suggests that genetic and epigenetic factors may influence a woman's susceptibility to developing endometriosis, underscoring the importance of early identification and intervention. In India, diagnostic delays remain a significant challenge, with many women waiting seven to ten years before receiving a definitive diagnosis.
Experts stress that heightened awareness among both patients and healthcare providers is essential to reduce diagnostic delays and enable earlier treatment initiation, potentially preventing complications associated with the condition.