Royal Oldham doctor highlights endometriosis awareness month

A leading doctor at Royal Oldham Hospital has spoken out about the urgent need to raise awareness of endometriosis, a painful condition that takes an average of nine to 11 years to diagnose. Dr Gaity Ahmad, clinical director of obstetrics and gynaecology at both Royal Oldham Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, described March's Endometriosis Awareness Month as 'an important opportunity' to highlight a condition that remains 'widely under-recognised and often misunderstood.

Dr Ahmad, who leads the Pennine Endometriosis Centre based at Royal Oldham Hospital, explained that endometriosis involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing in lesions across the body. While these lesions most commonly appear in the pelvic area-including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bowel-they have also been found in the brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, and even attached to scar tissue.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Oldham Hospital, shared a video of Dr Ahmad's comments as part of the awareness campaign. Her expertise is widely recognised, with Endometriosis Awareness North (EAN), a charity founded by Oldham's Dr Anita Sharma, describing her as having 'extensive experience' in the field.

The lengthy diagnosis timeline highlighted by Dr Ahmad-up to a decade for many patients-underscores the challenges faced by those suffering from this multifaceted disease. As awareness efforts continue throughout March, local health leaders are working to improve understanding and reduce the time it takes for patients to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.