What To Expect At An Endometriosis Consultation
Endometriosis is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called endometrium) starts to grow outside the uterus. This can cause a variety of symptoms and may impact your quality of life.
Endometriosis comes with a range of symptoms, which can vary in severity. Common symptoms include pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and pain during intercourse. Our endometriosis symptom checklist will help highlight the early symptoms of endometriosis. Please fill out the form and take it along to your GP. Then simply request a referral to see Dr Homar.
When should I see a doctor for endometriosis?
You may feel like you need to see a doctor for a formal diagnosis of endometriosis once you start to experience symptoms. This can be a good idea as your doctor can determine the best treatment option for you and, if necessary, refer you to Dr Lanziz Homar. Other reasons you may need to see a doctor include:
- Your endometriosis symptoms are interfering with your daily life (e.g., causing severe pain or extreme discomfort).
- You experience heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding.
- You have another long-term medical condition that you take medication for (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome).
Do I need to prepare anything for the appointment?
When planning to speak to a doctor about endometriosis, it’s important to prepare for your appointment by ensuring you have all the necessary information to help your doctor with their diagnosis.
Your doctor may ask about your menstrual cycle (including the date of your last period), any current medications you’re taking, personal or family history of medical conditions (specifically endometriosis, ovarian cancer, or infertility), the dates of your last physical tests and screenings (i.e., pelvic ultrasound, MRI, or laparoscopy), and any previous surgeries you have had.
Try your best to ensure you have all this information ready for your appointment. Other things to prepare may include:
- Before your appointment, document any changes to your menstrual cycle, such as period frequency, date of your last period, and blood flow.
- Make a list of your symptoms and track the frequency of them and how long they last.
- Note all medications, supplements, and vitamins you’re taking, including daily doses and ingredients (consider bringing medication packaging for the ingredients list).
Are there any questions I should ask?
It’s always a good idea to prepare some questions for your doctor. Be sure to bring a notebook to take notes during your consultation.
Some of these questions may include:
- What treatment options are available?
- Are there any herbal and/or food supplements to treat endometriosis symptoms? If so, will any of them interact with my current medications?
- Could my symptoms be related to something other than endometriosis?
- How long does endometriosis last?
- What are the side effects of the different treatment options?
- Are there any changes to my lifestyle I can implement to help relieve symptoms or improve my overall health long-term?
- Are you able to provide any other information about endometriosis that could help? Websites, flyers, etc.?
For more information on endometriosis
Help you and your doctor determine whether you have endometriosis.
