Teenagers
and endometriosis
by Lone Hummelshoj
It is an old myth that teenagers do
not get endometriosis. In fact, some research indicate
that up to two thirds of women with endometriosis have
symptoms before they are
20 years old [1]. This means that symptoms in adolescent
girls need to be taken very serious indeed, whilst still
recognising that not all menstrual pain symptoms are
necessarily due to endometriosis.
If you are a teenager, and you have
menstrual pain to the extent that it keeps you away
from school, or it prevents you from participating in
day-to-day activities, then you should discuss your
symptoms with your doctor.
In order to prepare for this first
consultation you may want to print off and fill in this
form, which can act as an aid: Your
initial consulation: questions the doctor may ask you.
It will help you to think about your
symptoms: when they occur and how often, and it may
help you to make sure that you mention everything you
want to talk about during the consultation with your
physician (a bit like a "tick list") - it
can be hard to remember everything you wish to discuss,
without writing it down before hand, and this form may
aid you. It may also help your physician to understand
your particular situation better.
For your first consultation, you may
also want to bring one of your parents, or a good friend,
with you: two sets of ears are better than one, and
your companion can help you remember all the information
that the physician may give you about your treatment
options.
Do not be afraid of asking questions.
The physician is there to help you, and s/he will. If
there is something you do not understand, or something
you feel you need to know more about, then ASK.
The treatment
options do not vary that much, whether you are a
teenager or a woman in her 20s, 30s, or 40s.
As with any treatment,
the key component is what is appropriate for YOUR symptoms,
that you are comfortable with the therapy you are undergoing,
and that you decide to what extent you are able and
willing to deal with any side effects.
You need to discuss
these options carefully with your physician so that
together you can find the best and most effective treatment
for your specific symptoms. Do not rush these decisions.
Again: never be afraid to ask questions if there is
something you are not sure about.
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