Four things to know about endometriosis-New Caledonia the 1st

Life is not pink for women with endometriosis. In New Caledonia, as in France, this disease, which affects one in ten French women, continues to be poorly known, misdiagnosed and therefore ill-treated. However, it is the leading cause of female infertility. In January 2022, Emmanuel Macron announced a national struggle strategy and the National Assembly voted unanimously in favour of his recognition as a long-term affection.

1 endometrial disease

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease caused by the presence of cells of uterine origin outside the uterus. "it is rather a disease of the mucosal lining of the uterus, which gives the menstruation," summed up an obstetrician gynecologist in New Caledonia in a previous article of NC the 1st. "this blood will also pass, through the tubes, into the belly and adhere to the ovary, to the uterus. It is this adhesion of blood that causes the patient to suffer." Symptoms? Violent pain in the pelvis, plentiful and stressful menstruation, but also painful sexuality, bowel disorders, chronic fatigue.

2A combatant's course

Women with endometriosis often go through a long ordeal, waiting for many years and going through expensive tests before it is detected. For example, Poé Pouria, 30 years old. If she had listened to some doctors, her daughter Myla would not have been born.

It all begins when Poé is fourteen years old. His painful menstruation is unbearable. For six years, the pain increases. The tests turned out to be endless, but his disease would eventually have a name, thanks to his general practitioner.

At this stage, the young woman continues, she suffers from pelvic endometriosis, type 3, with already damage to the colon, intestine and liver. The diagnosis of some doctors falls like a cutter: you will never have children and you have to remove your entire uterus.

Myla's been sleeping in her future mom's womb for months. But joy turns into anger.

She didn't give up, she fought, against medical advice. She still feels her pain, but it's decreased.

3 late consultations

One case, which is not isolated, confirms Dr. Camille Parnaud. This obstetrician gynaecologist works in the Médipole, in the medical assistance service for procreation.

This is what makes the problem of the disease. It is trivialised that women have painful menstrual periods and they drag their pain over for several years, "says the doctor." this is what makes the problem of the disease more common, "the doctor says." it is not only women who consult much later than the symptoms, but also the women who consult much later on when the symptoms come in. This is what makes the problem of the disease trivialised. "they are only seen again after, sometimes, ten years of symptoms, several years of infertility, at a time when endometriosis has attacked part of the ovaries, the uterus, or even (…) part of the abdominal cavity."

See the testimony of Poé gathered by Karine Arroyo and Michel Besse, followed by the guest of the JT with Medriko Peteisi.

4At already a long-term care in Calédonie

The management of endometriosis in New Caledonia can already benefit from a long illness for several years, says Dr. Anne-Marie Mestre, doctor coordinating the Cafat medical check. "it is a 'long illness' out of the list, which is awarded for two years and possibly renewable. At that time, the care is in a long illness, 100%, in third-party payment, for everything related to this pathology."

"that doesn't mean that all patients with endometriosis can benefit from this long-term management," she moderates. "it depends on the severity of the lesions, the heaviness of the treatment, depending on whether there is only hormone therapy or surgical or other gestures."

Anne-Marie Mestre on the long-term management of endometriosis, by Martine Nollet