The Indian Centre for Endometriosis has been launched as a one-stop destination for all information on endometriosis.

Brainchild of Dr Abhishek Mangeshikar, an endometriosis specialist, the Mumbai-based Centre is actively dedicated to empowering women by spreading awareness about endometriosis and debunking the myths associated with this condition. It endeavours to direct women suffering from this debilitating disease the right way, at the right time by curtailing delay between the onset of symptoms and clinical diagnosis and expediting correct treatments.

Endometriosis is an abnormal growth of tissues similar to the uterine lining with common symptoms like intense pelvic pain, infertility, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, painful sex, heavy periods and sometimes even loss of kidneys or lung collapse. The  Indian Centre for Endometriosis (ICE) is a knowledge bank about endometriosis providing correct information on endometriosis, ample research data, white papers, key developments in the field of endometriosis in India and around the world, FAQÂs, and treatment procedures.

One of the key objectives of The Indian Centre for Endometriosis (ICE) is to liaise with health professionals and researchers and to raise funds for research on this condition.

Speaking about the launch, Dr. Abhishek Mangeshikar, Director and Consultant Gynecological Surgeon at ICE said, ÂIt is alarming that around 25 million women in the country suffer from endometriosis and that this number is increasing every year. Hence, it is important to know that a country like India needs a dedicated platform on endometriosis to reassure a woman that she can lead a normal life despite the endometriosis. It is our endeavour at The Indian Centre for Endometriosis (ICE) to provide the necessary support and therapies to woman suffering from this condition and provide the best solution to help her lead a wholesome and pain free life that she rightfully deserves.

Dr. Prashant Mangeshikar, Consultant Gynecologist at ICE said, ÂIt is a moment of honour to be able to launch a platform that offers information on multiple aspects of endometriosis. It is extremely important for women to know that if they are suffering from endometriosis there is hope and respite, especially in a country like India where menstruation is not discussed openly and menstrual cramps are dismissed as part of becoming a woman. Alarmingly, endometriosis is as common as diabetes. It affects all ages of women from as young as 8 to as old as 80. Through Indian Centre for Endometriosis (ICE), I look forward to a holistic approach of not just creating awareness by updating key information on endometriosis backed by evidence based medicine, but also by highlighting which treatments work and which ones are highly unsuccessful.Â

According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, an estimated 176 million women suffer from endometriosis worldwide and it affects more women than breast cancer. It is startling that many have not heard of it and the disease has not got the attention it deserves typically because it is not terminal. It cripples the quality of life and costs the country 22 billion dollars a year in lost productivity and treatment costs!