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by
Lone Hummelshoj
Endometriosis is a bit of a mystery. We do not know
the origin of the disease. We do not know why it causes
such extreme symptoms in some women, and not in others.
The treatment options can be - let's be honest: a bit
"hit and miss". And, unfortunately, because
endometriosis is associated with menstruation, sex,
infertility, and pain (all taboo subjects in most societies)
it is a disease that is not well known, understood,
or accepted in the general public.
This is frustrating for those who suffer from endometriosis,
and for those who care for someone with the disease
- and it is also frustrating for those, who try to treat
us: the physicians who cannot guarantee a cure or complete
symptom relief (the pressures of treating women that
do not get better are huge!).
Because physicians see patients for short amounts of
time, and these visits often are about specific aspects
of the disease, the true chronic aspect and full scope
of endometriosis may not always be apparent. But reality
is that chronic conditions need ongoing medical care,
including regular follow-up, information, and a good
relationship with the health care provider. And over
time, it may become important to learn how to live with
and manage chronic pain, deal with infertility, and
how to increase coping skills and regain control of
one's life if these aspects have not been dealt with
adequately.
There is no single prescription or blue print for coping
– people use a number of different ways to cope,
different methods work for different individuals, and
some may wish to consult with different health care
providers, including:
- physiotherapists (improving posture and getting pelvic
muscles back into shape)
- counsellors/psychologists (talking through how it
is like to live with a chronic disease)
- nutritionists (eating well
certainly does not make you feel worse)
On this page we have listed
some articles, which may be of help in learning to cope
with endometriosis.
Psychology and endometriosis
by
Vicki O'Donnell
Dietary modification
to alleviate endometriosis symptoms
by Dian Shepperson Mills
and Mark Perloe MD
Endometriosis:
be good to yourself!
by Ellen T Johnson
Painful
intercourse
by Ellen T Johnson and
Lone Hummelshoj
What
do I tell others about endometriosis?
by Ellen T Johnson
When others
do not understand
by Ellen T Johnson
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