A Laois TD has told Dáil Éireann that “women with endometriosis have been ignored for far too long.”
Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley made the statement while addressing the Minister for Health, Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
Endometriosis is an painful condition in which tissue grows outside the uterus, often affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis.
When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts may form and surrounding tissue can become irritated and form scar tissue.
Bands of fibrous tissue called adhesions also may form which can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other.
Deputy Stanley tabled a motion calling on the Government to “establish a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for endometriosis care, to establish specialised imaging protocols to assist gynaecologists in identifying, mapping and getting the information on endometriosis; to develop and fund a dedicated training and incentive programme; and to launch a nationwide public health campaign to raise awareness.”
The Laois TD said that “doctors and specialists need to start believing women when they present with this condition because of its chronic nature and the sheer number of women who endure it throughout their lives.”
Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods (dysmenorrhea), pain during sex, pain with bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding and even infertility.
Deputy Stanley said Ireland must “stop exporting our health issues and people for treatment”, saying that “proper resources have not been given for the proper treatment” of the condition.
“This is a disease that affects 10% of women in Ireland,” the Laois TD said.
“Surely if something is affecting 10% of women we have to stand up and take notice. It is unbelievable that the average waiting time is eight to nine years and how this has been let run for so many years.”
Deputy Stanley said that time-frame was “appalling” and described the Government’s attitude towards resolving the wait-times as “not good enough.”
“Think of all the women of previous generations who have suffered this silently,” the Deputy said. “This has to stop. We have to try to bring forward proper, expert treatment for this debilitating condition.”
The level of expertise, staffing and timely access were all cited as major issues by Deputy Stanley, who said: “Expert-led surgery is a necessity. We must deal with this area and improve the quality of that service for women.
“HSE guidelines acknowledge that this is a superior treatment for managing the condition and providing an improved quality of life.
“While there is no known cure, many women who get proper treatment go on to live a good life when the condition is managed properly, and they get the proper care.
“We need more surgeons in the area. Recruitment and retention of surgeons and clinical nurses in the field has to be stepped up and has to be stepped up at pace.”
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