Let us start at the beginning: what is endometriosis exactly?

Esther: “No fewer than 1 in 10 women worldwide suffer from endometriosis; these are 400.000 women in the Netherlands. The consequences are intense abdominal pain, reduced fertility and pain during sexual intercourse. With endometrioses, the hormone sensitive tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus and causes the extreme pain. Even though this disorder is as common as diabetes and rheumatism, many have never heard of it or know little about it. However, endometriosis massively affects life! This disease can challenge relationships, work and sports. The quality of life for people with endometriosis usually shows a significant decrease.”

If endometriosis is such a common disease, why do we hear so little about it?

“The symptoms are more severe during menstruation. As a result, most women –and also doctors and experts – believe it is just a ‘bad period’. Therefore, patients are afraid to mention their symptoms and are on average only diagnosed after eight years. And even if there is a treatment, like painkillers, medication and/or a surgery, the pain usually does not disappear. Why that is the case, is still unclear. In conclusion, we need research, as well as increased awareness for endometriosis. We must break the taboo around endometriosis.” (text continues below)

How do you want to help people with endometriosis?

“I support the national Endometriosis Foundation in making this condition better known. I am also working with a team on a new research method—an app for patients. What makes this method innovative is the fact that the app measures the pain symptoms in real-time and takes into account factors from daily life that can affect pain, such as sleep, stress and nutrition. All the knowledge we gain from the app can be applied in the treatment, which leads to faster, more personalised, and better care. We can also use the app to more reliably test whether a new treatment is effective or whether yoga therapy can help, for example.”

What do you need to develop the app?

“Developing an app costs a lot of money; we need €7.500. This is why my team and I are taking every action we can in order to raise the funds. For example, we will cycle 500 kilometres between Christmas Eve and New Year! Next to that, we are excited to be part of the campaign ‘For Each Other’ by the University Fund Limburg/SWOL. Click here for more information and to support our endometriosis project.”

Are you there For Each Other?

Maastricht University is committed to the important tasks of teaching and research, with the ultimate aim of building a better society. As ever, the University Fund Limburg/SWOL supports UM in this effort. But your support, too, is essential.

In the ‘For Each Other 2019’ campaign, we are seeking contributions to four special UM projects: scholarships for disadvantaged students, an app for research on women with chronic pain, a plastic recycling workshop and an animal experience room for hospitalised children. In the weeks leading up to and during the campaign, we will publish a series of articles shining a spotlight on each of the four projects.

By: Milou Schreuders