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Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Endometriosis

You have your own health history. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and background with endometriosis. By talking openly and often with your doctor, you can take an active role in your care.

Tips for Getting Information

Here are some tips that will make it simpler for you to talk to your doctor:

  • Bring someone with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask. They may also be able to provide more details to the doctor.
  • Write down your questions so you do not forget them.
  • Write down the answers you get and make sure you grasp what you are hearing. Ask for help if you need it..
  • Do not be afraid to ask your questions or ask where you can find more information. You have a right to know.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

About Your Risk of Getting Endometriosis

  • What causes endometriosis?
  • Am I at risk?
  • Does my medicine raise my risk?
  • How can I prevent endometriosis?

About Treatment Options

  • Is there a cure?
  • How do I treat endometriosis?
  • What medicine can help?
    • What are the benefits/side effects of this medicine?
    • Will it affect other medicine or supplements that I take?
  • Can surgery help me? How do I know if surgery is right for me?
  • Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that will help me?

About Lifestyle Changes

  • Should I make changes to my diet? How do I go about it?
    • Can you refer me to a dietitian who can help?
  • Should I try exercise?
    • What kind of exercise is best?
    • How often should I exercise?
    • How do I get started?
  • Should I stop drinking alcohol?
  • Should I stop drinking beverages with caffeine?

About Outlook

  • How do I know that my prevention or treatment program is right?
  • Are there any tests I can have to find out if I have endometriosis?
  • Will I be able to have children?
REFERENCES:

Brown R, Byrne D, et al. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline NG73. Endometriosis: diagnosis and management. National Guideline Alliance (UK). NICE 2017 Sep.

Endometriosis. ACOG website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Endometriosis. Updated January 2019. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Endometriosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/endometriosis. Updated August 30, 2019. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Endometriosis. Office on Women's Health website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis. Updated April 1, 2019. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot Levine, MD