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http://www.medicinaeinformazione.com/ / medicinaeinformazione In the new LEA (essential levels of assistance) moderate or severe endometriosis has also been included among chronic diseases, recognizing the relevance of a pathology - in many cases disabling, causing physical pain and social discomfort - that affects many more women than one might think - so much so that it is estimated that it affects about 10-15% of women of childbearing age and therefore about 3 and a half million women in Italy and around 30 million women in Europe. Endometriosis, that is, the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines the internal wall of the uterus) in other organs (ovaries, tubes, intestine, vagina, etc.) that mainly causes pelvic pain, even chronic, severe menstrual pain, pain during sexual intercourse, but can be a cause of infertility, and above all creates social discomfort for every woman who suffers from it, making school life difficult first and then working life. And to better understand which diagnostic therapeutic path is most suitable for each woman, we met with Prof. Giorgio Vittori, former SIGO President, who explained to us how important the doctor-patient dialogue is, because very often, just by listening to the symptoms, you can arrive at a diagnosis, which in some cases can be confirmed by a suprapubic or transvaginal ultrasound. It is important to identify which diagnostic path is the most suitable based on the severity of the disease, the woman's age and the desire for motherhood, which today can benefit from oocyte cryopreservation, a technique that will later allow the patient to plan a pregnancy. Surgery is an option that often has to be resorted to, but it is essential that it is both radical surgery - that is, it removes all the abnormal tissue - and conservative, that is, it does not damage the ovary or other organs. Another delicate aspect that we discuss with the Professor is sexuality, which must be faced calmly with the complicity of the partner and with the advice of your doctor. Without forgetting that even some lifestyles (a diet free of inflammatory foods or foods that can trigger intolerances, constant physical activity) can help to deal with daily life with less pain, thus improving the quality of life. Because endometriosis is certainly a severe disease that also affects social life - planning a trip, a commitment at work, sports, relationship life...) but if intercepted promptly - and here is the importance of information companions to ensure that severe menstrual pain is not underestimated for example - it can be lived with serenity in every phase of life.