Endometriosis: NI women get a 'raw deal', says surgeon

Dr Hans Nagar said the current system for dealing with conditions such as endometriosis was not working

Women suffering from endometriosis in Northern Ireland are getting a "raw deal" and no support, according to a leading gynaecologist.

The current system wasn't working and women should not have to wait so long for help, said Dr Hans Nagar.

Endometriosis occurs where tissue like the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as ovaries, fallopian tubes and other organs.

Dr Nagar, a consultant gynaecologist, said women were not being looked after.

Earlier this month, Zara Corbett, who is 21 and suffers from endometriosis, said she "begged for help" as she copes with pain which is triggering seizures.

She is on morphine and has been placed in early menopause, but spends a lot of time in hospital.

Zara Corbett's endometriosis is so severe she often uses a wheelchair when outside

Speaking to BBC News NI, Zara said if she had any other condition, she would be receiving help.

In response to Zara, Hans Nagar, said her story was "terrible" and that she wasn't "unique" in Northern Ireland.

He confirmed that some women are having to wait up to seven years for surgery due to endometriosis being viewed as a benign disease.

In contrast cancer patients whose disease is malignant are being prioritised for surgery.

But he said that move underplays the suffering endured by many women where endometriosis causes disease that spreads and invades into organs similar to some cancers.

"These women are not being prioritised and understandably cancers have come first, but we are coming out of the pandemic, and we really need to think about those women that have been put on long waiting lists with very debilitating symptoms and problems," he said.

Women are in pain

Zara has had to have her gall bladder removed and is experiencing chronic pain around her bladder which she said feels like pieces of glass are piercing her internal organs.

According to Dr Nagar, in surgery a patient's body will appear as if her organs have been glued together by tissue.

"The ovaries may be stuck to the rectum or bowel," he said.

"The endometriosis may be infiltrating in the uterus and blocking off kidneys. Severe cases are difficult to treat and do require specialist surgery.

"I can really understand why women are suffering severe pain with that degree of endometriosis, but there are different degrees."

He said specialist endometriosis centres with dedicated teams including specialist nurses should be established in Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

"This will require extra money, but it also requires a will," he said.

"We need to train more surgeons, but dedicated theatre times would mean women would receive their surgery.

"All this requires a health strategy which will focus minds and budgets, so we aren't working in silos.

"It will also provide targets."

Diagnosis can take years

An endometriosis diagnosis can take years and women are often told they have heavy periods, but endo symptoms are a lot more severe, which can floor women.

Mr Nagar said the condition was "terrible for women", but if viewed from a healthcare economics point of view, these women were perhaps the most productive members of our society.

"Many of them are suffering in their paid work but also their unpaid work as well - and I think that is deeply unfair," he said.

Ultimately, Northern Ireland needs an executive in order to plan and budget for specialist centres, multi-team agencies and appoint a women's health ambassador, he said.

Dr Nagar said that would be an "incredible force" to promote the cause of women and various problems that are unique to women.