In July 2023, 34-year-old Ngerikomukuenu Tjihukununa was devastated to learn that she had stage four endometriosis. At the time of her diagnosis, she had never heard of the condition, which added to the shock of her situation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endometriosis affects around 190 million women and people assigned female at birth globally. This chronic, inflammatory gynecological disorder occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often leading to severe, debilitating pain.
Tjihukununa, also known as Dolly to friends and family, shared that the news of her stage four diagnosis left her feeling devastated. “I was so sad when the doctor told me. I thought, ‘Why couldn’t it be stage one or two? Why did it have to be the most severe stage?'” she recalled.
Her daily life has been marked by constant pain, which she describes as deeply internal. “It’s your body that hurts, but only those closest to you can truly understand the extent of that pain,” she said. Despite enduring this pain, Tjihukununa, a marketing officer, has had three surgeries in an effort to manage the condition. However, each time the pain returns, it grows more intense.
She continues to rely on strong medication, which makes her feel like a “zombie,” as well as heated water bottles for temporary relief. “I love winter, but it’s not ideal when you have endometriosis. When the flare-ups are unpredictable, I find myself in the emergency room, sometimes unable to wake up due to the intensity of the pain,” she shared.
Tjihukununa is not alone in her experience. She is part of a supportive online community of women who connect through a WhatsApp group and Instagram account. These spaces provide a platform for sharing advice, pain management tips, and personal stories. “We talk openly about our pain, how we manage it, and offer support to each other. It’s a space where we can share what works for us,” she said.
Magreth Vries, 32, who has been living with the same condition since 2013, explained how endometriosis has impacted her work life. “Since last year, I’ve had to take unpaid leave. My 30 days of leave were exhausted within the year because of hospitalizations and flare-ups. It’s financially draining,” said Vries, who works as a client service advisor.
For Vries, the diagnosis brought both relief and frustration. “It was a relief to finally have a name for what had been causing me so much pain for years,” she explained. “But I hope that one day endometriosis will be taken more seriously and officially recognized as a chronic disease.”
Dr. David Emvula, a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist, has been an advocate for increasing awareness about endometriosis. He noted that the condition is a significant cause of infertility in Namibian women, with one in six couples affected by infertility. Although reliable data on the condition in Namibia is scarce, Dr. Emvula believes the country’s statistics are in line with global trends.
The underlying cause of endometriosis remains unclear, but it can cause significant damage to the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. When the fallopian tubes are damaged, they can’t provide a suitable environment for sperm and eggs to meet and fertilize,” Emvula explained.
While the financial burden of treatment is high, there are treatments available to alleviate the pain, such as gonadotropin. However, the doctor cautioned that these medications are not effective beyond six months due to menopause-like side effects. Newer drugs may provide long-term pain relief but cannot cure the condition.
Despite the challenges, awareness and advocacy efforts like Dr. Emvula’s give hope that endometriosis will one day receive the attention and care it deserves as a chronic disease.
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