Singapore sees increase in endometriosis cases, new study reveals

Singapore researchers have reported an increase in endometriosis diagnosis in 2021

The National University Hospital(NUH) has reportedly seen cases rise from 70 to 80 women a month in 2019, to 100 to 110 a month in 2021, with more than half being severe.

Dr Mai Li told Channel News Asia when menstrual cramps affect a woman’s quality of life, or when she needs to take medical leave to get through her period, it is a sign the woman could have endometriosis.

Other symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pain each month, during sexual intercourse, or passing a motion.

Dr Mai Li said she had seen patients as young as 12 at the clinic and between 40 and 50 patients had also been diagnosed with infertility.

According to fertility experts, it can take between seven and ten years to diagnose the debilitating condition.

But in Singapore, patients are bucking the trend and being diagnosed up to four years.

Dr Mai Li said: “This is a group of patients, potentially, if we can diagnose early, then intervene early, they may be able to escape the problems of infertility.”

Anyone who lives in Singapore is able to access online self-assessment tools such as endosupport.sg that women can use to check if they have symptoms associated with endometriosis.

Dr Mai Li said it is quite common in Asian culture for women to believe that it is normal to have painful periods and they are often told by their parents or Grandparents that once they fall pregnant and give birth the pain will ease.

“So they just think it’s normal, and don’t see doctors, which leads to a significant delay in diagnosing endometriosis.”

It was also noted that knowledge and education on the condition were also sadly lacking.

Do you live in Singapore? Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? Are you struggling to conceive? We’d love to hear your story, email mystory@ivfbabble.com.