Specialization

Opening Time

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

South Shore Services

Call : +234 (80) 746 17023
Mail : custormarcare@southshorewch.com
Address : 6b Goriola Street Off Adeola Odeku Street, VI.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the endometrial tissue (i.e the lining of the womb which sheds off with every cycle at menstruation) is found in other places outside the uterus, like on the pelvic wall, the ovaries, and the bowel (the intestines). Endometriosis most commonly causes severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea), and is often underdiagnosed, because of a wrong assumption that it is normal for periods to be painful.

It is not yet very clear why the endometrium is found outside the uterus in endometriosis, but there are a few likely reasons. When the endometrium is being shed during a period, it is possible that while the blood flows out through the vagina, some of it flows backwards through the tubes and ends up in the pelvic area, from where it can attach to the pelvic walls, organs, and even the bowel. (retrograde menstruation). Another possible reason is that the cells from the endometrium can be carried from the uterus to other parts of the body through the lymphatic or blood vessels. It has been shown that after one has any surgery involving the uterus (like a myomectomy or a Caesarean section), endometrial cells can be carried to the site of the skin incision and thus endometriosis develops on the surgical scar.

Endometrial tissue that is found outside the uterus is influenced by the female hormones, the same as inside the uterus. So, the tissue thickens during the cycle and is shed when menstruation begins. It is unable to flow out, and thus remains there and irritates the surrounding areas. This can cause scar tissue (called adhesions) to form, and make the organs stick to each other or stick to the walls of the abdomen and the pelvis. In the ovaries, endometriosis can cause a type of ovarian cyst called an endometrioma, which contains a thick, dark coloured fluid.

The symptoms of endometriosis include the following:

  • Painful menstrual periods – this pain is usually severe, starts some days before the period starts, and continues for some days after the period has ended. The pain sometimes extends from the lower abdomen to the back and thighs
  • Constipation, diarrhoea, pain on passing stool or urinating, which is related to the period, i.e it starts when the period starts or is about to start, and ends when the period ends or extends for a few days
  • Painful intercourse
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Cyclical pain in some parts of the body – the skin, chest (if it is located in the lungs; can also cause a cyclical cough)
  • Infertility
  • Some women with endometriosis will have no symptoms of pain even if the endometriosis is severe, while others with severe pain might not have much pain.

The first suggestion of a diagnosis of endometriosis from the complaints alone, if one has the classic symptoms of severe cyclical pain. An ultrasound scan can suggest that the organs are stuck to each other, and can pick up an endometrioma. An MRI scan gives a more specific diagnosis of endometriosis. However, the best way to make a diagnosis is to have a laparoscopy – a theatre procedure in which thin, rod like instruments are introduced into the abdomen through small cuts. A camera is attached to them and the images are projected on a screen. This way, the pelvis and abdomen can be seen directly and areas of endometriosis identified. They usually appear as dark spots or patches on the organs or walls. The advantage of having this procedure is that it enables a diagnosis to be made, the severity determined, and treatment to be done at the same time. The main factors that are considered in offering treatment for endometriosis are the severity of the symptoms, the age of the affected person, and whether or not you are trying to get pregnant. Treatment can be either with the use of medications or surgical, and sometimes both will need to be done.

  • Pain medications: These are given to remove the pain so that you can go about your regular activities. Sometimes, you may need to be on more than one pain medication at the same time, in order to achieve adequate relief.
  • Hormonal contraceptives: The use of hormonal contraceptives is to disrupt the hormonal levels of a normal menstrual cycle, thus preventing the displaced endometrial tissue also from growing, shedding, and causing harm. This is not a permanent treatment, as normal menstruation resumes and the symptoms start again in most cases when the medication is stopped.
  • GnRH agonists: This is a type of hormonal medication. The drug acts by preventing the body from producing estrogen, thus causing menstruation to cease. The displaced endometrial tissue is unable to grow at all, and so begins to shrink. It is usually more effective than the hormonal contraceptives, but is also not permanent. However, it provides relief for longer periods after it has been stopped and menstruation resumes.
  • Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis: A laparoscopy is done and the endometrial patches or spots are identified and removed. Adhesions (scar tissue) which have formed from the endometriosis can also be separated and removed, together with any endometriomas that may have formed on the ovaries. In severe cases, a laparoscopy is followed up with the use of GnRH agonists for a few months.
  • Surgical removal of endometriotic deposits outside the abdomen: a surgery might be necessary to remove endometriosis from the skin, or the lungs.

Are you searching for a specialized consultant gynecologist experienced in the management and treatment of endometriosis?

Looking to speak to a doctor about endometriosis contact us today.
South Shore WCH
Privacy Overview

Introduction

South Shore Women’s and Children’s Hospital needs to gather and use certain personal data in delivering its services and fulfilling its obligations to you. We respect the trust you repose in us in providing us with your data and we are completely committed to preserving, protecting, and safeguarding your rights in accordance with the applicable principles of data privacy.

This Privacy Policy outlines the information we collect from you, why we collect such data, how we use the data, how you can control the data, and how we manage, store, protect, share, retain or delete your information.  This privacy policy will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you provide your data to us and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.

This privacy policy is issued by South Shore Women’s and Children’s Hospital.  The words "we", "us" or "our" in this privacy policy, refers to South Shore Women’s Clinic Limited.

By using this website (or by filing the consent section below) you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, as to allow us to utilise your data to service you more accurately.

It is important that you read this privacy policy together with any other privacy statement we may provide on specific occasions when we are collecting or processing personal data about you so that you are fully aware of how and why we are using your data. This privacy policy supplements other notices and privacy policies and is not intended to override them.

Scope of this Privacy Policy

This privacy policy applies generally to personal data processed in connection with the business of South Shore Women’s and Children’s Hospital.  It serves to set out South Shore’s approach to your data.

Changes to this Privacy Policy and your duty to Inform us of Change in Data

We keep our privacy policy under regular review and as such, the version of this policy which you are reading may be changed at any time.

It is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your interaction with us by sending a message to our Data Protection Officer identified below.

What type of information do we have?

The type of information we collect includes Personal Data. Personal Data refers to any piece of information that relates to an identified or identifiable living individual or pieces of information, which if collated together can lead to the identification of an individual person.  Personal Data includes data such as email address, phone number, full name, account details, home address, school history, driver's license number, bank account number, medical history, passport number, etc pertaining to a natural person. It does not include data provided anonymously.

The specific types of personal data we may collect are as follows:

  • Identity Data: includes data such as first name, maiden name, last name, social media username or similar identifier, marital status, title, date of birth, next-of-kin data, biometric data and gender.
  • Contact Data: includes data such as home address, email address and telephone number.
  • Financial Data: includes data such as salary structure, bank information and payment information.
  • Transaction Data: includes data such as details about payments to and from you and other details of products and services you have purchased from us.
  • Marketing and Communication Data: includes data such as regarding your preferences in receiving marketing from us as well as your communication preferences.

How do we collect your Data?

We use different methods to collect data from, and about you including through:
(a) Direct interactions
We collect your personal data when you provide the same to us in connection with your use of, or interest in our services. You may give us your data by filling in forms or by corresponding with us by post, phone, email, or otherwise.

(b) Automated technologies or interactions
As you interact with our website, we will automatically collect technical data about your equipment, browsing actions, and patterns. We may collect this personal data by using cookies and other similar technologies.

(c) Third parties or publicly available sources
We may also receive your personal data from third parties to whom you have legally provided such data to, such as your employer, benefactors, etc. To the extent that such data is disclosed by third parties, different rules may apply to their use or disclosure of your information. We do not control how they use or share your data and we cannot make any representations or warranties as to these.

We however have control over data that you have voluntarily shared to us directly or through your usage of our website. With your consent, we use your information to fulfil requests to receive information or materials from us, to carry out services for your benefit and to process applications and requests from you.

We do not use your data for any other purpose than for the purposes listed out in this policy and we do not sell, lend or rent any personally data about you to any third parties.

Why we collect Data?

We collect data to enable us to provide our services to you; or process requests or applications which you make or are made on your behalf with your consent; or to provide you with our services.

We collect data to be able to communicate with you, to provide further information on our products and services and to assist you (mail subscriptions).

We also collect data to be able to respond to questions or requests which you submit as well as anticipate and resolve problems with any services we offer to you.

On what Lawful Basis do we Process your Data?

Under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR), personal data may be processed under any of the following lawful basis:
• Consent of the data subject
• Performance of a contract with the data subject.
• Legal obligation
• Vital interest of individuals
• Public interest

While we mostly collect and process your data with your consent, we may collect and process your data under any of the identified lawful basis depending on the circumstance.

How you can control your Data

In addition to being able to limit the data your directly provide to us, you also have the option of exercising any of the below rights with respect to your data:

  1. Request information about any of your personal data which we are processing, and request access to your personal information which we possess.
  2. Request correction of personal information that we hold about you to make them more accurate or to reflect change in circumstances which the personal information we possess does not reflect.
  3. Request us to refrain from doing certain things with your data or restrict the extent of our collection or processing of your data.
  4. Request partial or complete erasure of your personal information.
  5. Object to our processing of your personal information where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
  6. Object to decisions being taken by automated means which produce legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affect you.
  7. Request the transfer of your personal information to another party.

Do we share your Data?

It may be necessary for us to share your personal data with third parties such as:
• National Health Insurance Scheme or other Regulatory Authorities
• Hospitals
• Service Providers,
We could disclose any information about you as required by law and we may make such disclosures to law enforcement agencies and government officials, as necessary or appropriate under the relevant circumstance. Other than these instances, we do not disclose or share your personal data provided to us without your authorisation.

How we manage, store, protect, retain, or delete your information?

We have well-maintained systems for storing and managing your data, and we commit to conscientiously utilising your data in consonance with the provisions of this policy.

We have suitable security measures in place to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost or used or accessed in an unauthorised way by a third party.

In addition, we limit access to your personal data to only those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who need to have access to their personal data to enable us to provide our services to you. They will only process your personal data on our instructions, and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.

We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so.

We admit however that no database is completely secure or “hacker proof” and we only guarantee the safety of your data to the extent of our undertaking all reasonable measures to protect your data.

We will only retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements after which we will promptly delete your data from all our databases.

Where we have no further use for your data or where we have no continue legal or business rationale to keep your data, we shall delete your data or carry out any such activities to ensure your personal information in our possession is sufficiently destroyed.

Our Contact Information

Kindly contact us with any queries with respect to your data or this privacy policy through the contact below:

Moyosore Ikujenyo

opeoluwa.ikujenyo@southshorewch.com

South Shore Women’s and Children’s Hospital