Fact or Myth? Endometriosis only exists in industrialized countries.

Myth!

Dr. Joseph W. Krotec and RN Sharon Perkins write in Endometriosis for Dummies:

“This statement is a variation of the career woman myth. In the past, experts believed endometriosis was a disease only in industrialized countries where exposure to toxic chemicals was rampant. But researchers haven’t proven this theory. Woman in third-world countries have endometriosis, but without the resources to obtain treatment, they’re less likely to be diagnosed. These women also tend to have children at a younger age, which helps to keep symptoms at bay longer”. - page 319

“According to a recent World Congress on endometriosis, the disease hasn’t increased over the last 30 years. However, doctors are diagnosing it earlier and more effectively, probably because more medical personnel are looking for the disease. Also, because of smaller instruments, better optics, and vast improvements in anesthesia (even local anesthesia), more gynecologists feel comfortable using surgery to diagnose the disease.

“Even in third-world countries, where basic surgery tools aren’t available and surgery is a major risk, many doctors are treating women for endometriosis and could treat more of them if the resources were available.

“Endometriosis is clearly a worldwide disease, and the estimated number of women suffering from it is at least 15 million. Nevertheless, endometriosis is still more likely to be diagnosed in industrialized countries for reasons that reflect varying social systems. For example:

• Cultural norms in some countries discourage women from complaining about pain, especially pain related to the reproductive system.

• Women in industrialized countries put off childbirth longer and have fewer children.
• Women in poorer countries and third-world countries tend to have children earlier and more often.
• Women in poorer countries don’t live as long — they may even die before puberty.
• Techniques for diagnosing endometriosis aren’t easily available or may be dangerous.
• The attitude may exist that, if treatment isn’t available, why bother to diagnose it?
• Medical knowledge of the disease may be lacking in some areas.
• Women in industrialized countries are more likely to be exposed to toxins and hormones.

“Even with the greater likelihood for it to be diagnosed in industrialized countries, endometriosis is everywhere. Medical journals of Europe, Japan, and Australia all have numerous articles on the topic. So the disease is present, but the real challenges are looking for it and diagnosing it”. - page 16

See also Fact or Myth? Endometriosis only affects white “career women” who delay childbearing.