ARTICLES & STORIES

Thank you very much to the Media - Singapore's The Straits Times  & the reporter, June Cheong of Mind Your Body Section,
for the fantastic awareness coverage of Endometriosis. Read the article on the link below.
Azeeza Jalaludeen, Founder of SEAS featured in The Straits Times, Mind Your Body Section, on Jun25 2008.

Our Sincere thanks also to the Singapore, Vasantham Central, Tamil News Channel for their feature coverage on SEAS
& Endometriosis, on Jun24 2008.

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Kate Hardcastle - A Yorkshire woman's effort to create awareness in the UK. Check it out at www.butterflybenefit.co.uk

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THE SILENT DISEASE – SINGAPORE WOMEN SHARE THEIR PAIN

Endometriosis is a very real & serious health condition that is reported to affect more than 6% of women & teenagers around the world,
some as young as 11yrs old.  Though Endometriosis may not be a life threatening condition, it surely is a quality of life threatening
condition, as. Its also to be noted that  to-date,  there is NO proven cure for this condition. 

This is one of the poorly understood & least talked about condition  of our time. Very often, this condition is brushed-off as a "normal pain"  of a woman's menstrual cycle! Some parents, teachers, partners have known to 'ignore' these girls' pain, some even as fake, due to ignorance. 

But sadly, many Singaporean/ Asian women, unlike Westerners, refuse to come forward to share what they go through, mostly,
'shy' of letting their male friends & colleagues know of their condition, especially single women.

Our Appreciation to the ladies who let us publish their stories. Some names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Zulaiha (not the real name), 37, married
I was diagnosed with pre-endometriosis stage, in my late 20s. After 3 years of my marriage, in 2004, & only when I was trying to conceive
did I started feeling the problem worsening, emotionally & physically.

Recommended by my gyneacologist, I went through a laproscopy that helped to detect blockages in fallopian tubes which was removed.
But this did not relief my monthly period pain nor did any procedures helped with my attempts to conceive.  Due to financial constraints, I
couldn't continue with the expensive medical procedures that followed.
Early this year,  I started experiencing non-stop spotting for almost 3months of spotting, which resulted in regular  & long Medical Leaves,
that my employer was not happy about. Thus, since April, I'm on unpaid leave.

With some previous success with Homeopathy, I decided on treatment with a local Homeopathy Practitioner, though I know, this process
takes longer to show results than medical treatments. I'm very eager to start a family.  However, my age factor is not favorable for me to conceive. I'm hoping for a miracle, as my finances also do not allow any options through IVF or other medical treatments through hospitals / clinics.

I'm also constantly on the look-out for effective remedies that can help relief my pain, so that I can get back to work, & lead a normal lifestyle, without fear of the pain coming back.
 

Susan( not her real name), 25, Single
My biggest fear is if I will be able to start a family. I was Diagnosed with endometriosis 4 years ago, when I suffered severe post/ pre menstrual pain that lasts more than 5 days.

I was immediately put through a laproscopy procedure, that relieved my pain. However, a relapse was soon on the way, & just early this year,
I went through my second laproscopy, which is also helping me relief my monthly pain. My hospital bill came up to S$6000. As my insurance coverage started after my diagnosis, I was not able to claim for this condition.

I have read & researched on this condition & know the possibility it causes infertility. My gyneacologist told me fertility procedures will be discussed when I'm married. As of now, the treatment is only to remove blood cysts that's causing my pain, & treatment (with contraceptive pills).Though I'm ready to get married & start a family, my fiancé is not ready. He doesn't realise the seriousness of my condition & also doesn't understand my fears. He says, menstrual pain is normal, & there are many conceiving options, so I need not worry.

But every woman want to experience motherhood the natural way. The emotional, physical & psychological impacts on the mothers & babies conceived through artificial treatments is known to be not favorable, & not what I want for myself & my child.

Though my pain is not the issue to ponder on (for now), I'm not sure when I'm going to have another relapse. My future remains to be a question mark, that I look forward to be answered soon.
 
 

Azeeza Jalaludeen, 35, Married

I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 23, after my marriage, & only when I was trying to conceive. I realized that my symptoms actually started when I was 18, - fainting spells & menstrual cramps that made me take medical leaves from school & work, only that I didn't know it was the on-set on this condition.

After my diagnosis, I went through a surgical procedure that confirmed that I was at stage 3 of Endometriosis, which my doctor told me, could mean that I may not be able to conceive naturally. After the laproscopy (to remove blood cysts that was blocking my ovaries) & hormone treatment programs (that simulate menopausal symptoms) that took about 6-9months, I was told to go for IVF treatment, to stand a better chance of conceiving fast, if not, endometriosis threatened to make a come back.

But, with the support of 'higher power', I conceived naturally (which my doctor swore to be very rare), based on my 'dysfunctional' left ovary & weak right ovary. Nonetheless, I went on to deliver a healthy baby boy, naturally & without any complications.

As a remedy to keep Endometriosis & the pain away from my life, I continued my doctor's advise to continue giving birth to my second & third child. Thanks to my age factor, there was no complications in my deliveries. I continued breastfeeding to keep my menstrual cycle from coming back faster. This “birth & breast” cycle could not go on for long. I decided that 3 cycles was the maximum I could go.

6 years after my third child, I had a relapse. Though I expected a possible come back, as warned by my doctor before, it was many times more painful than I ever imagined & experienced. I was bed-ridden for 2 weeks, every month (due to extreme pain & bleeding), for more than 6months. I was having irritable bowel syndrome, gastric / digestive problem/ depression, migraines, vomitting etc. This affected every other aspects of my life – my business, relationships with my family & friends, emotionally, etc. My quality of life was ruled by Endometriosis.

Other than my doctor's recommendation of hysterectomy (which I understood is also not a cure to this condition), I went on a search on holistic remedies & for different opinions to overcome this condition. I searched on the internet, looked up books, & even travelled to overseas, to understand what this condition is doing to me, & what are the options open to me. I took up holistic health management  programs, that supported medical perspectives.

Now, one year since my search began, I no longer lay victim to the days of pain, with maximum 2 days of rest. I am now able to conquer my dis-ease,  which includes change of life-style to healthy eating habits, exercises, & a combination of holistic approaches, that work on both mind & body. This has also given me the strength to start a support group for women & girls to understand this condition & cope with pain effectively.

All these is possible mainly due to the constant emotional & physical support from my husband, who's very understanding & loving. His moral support is the ultimate boost to my strength in dealing with this Dis-Ease & Conquering  the Fear  that comes with the Pain!

Article from Azeeza Jalaludeen, Founder of SHINE EAS – Endometriosis Support Group for Singaporean/ Asian Women.

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Please send your articles & stories to inspire other women & help them, overcome the pain & stress of endometriosis.
Your stories can motivate them regain their quality lives!

All emails & contacts will be kept confidential.
Email to seas@shineworldwide.com

Thank you very much!

SEAS .... Conquering the Endo Dis-ease!

*All who contribute articles are not paid, & are considered to agree to allow SEAS to reproduce their articles for publications & used as reference, as deemed neccessary & appropriate by SEAS.