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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Left undiagnosed or untreated, endometriosis can be a frustrating condition. Painful periods can cause you to miss work or school and can strain relationships. Recurring pain can lead to depression, irritability, anxiety, anger and feelings of helplessness. Infertility linked to endometriosis also can cause emotional distress.

That's why it's important to seek treatment if you suspect you may have endometriosis. Keeping a record of your symptoms can aid your doctor in your diagnosis.

If you're dealing with endometriosis or its complications, you may want to consider joining a support group for women with endometriosis or fertility problems. Sometimes it helps simply to talk to other women who can relate to your feelings and experiences. If you can't find a support group in your community, look for one on the Internet.

References
  1. Endometriosis. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/endometriosis.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  2. Schenken RS. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  3. Endometriosis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp013.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  4. Kokakoc E, et al. Endometriosis. Ultrasound Clinics. 2008;3:399.
  5. Kim WJ, et al. Endometriosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00014-7--s1670&uniq=211843402&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00014-7--s1670%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05610-6. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  6. Schenken RS. Overview of the treatment of endometriosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 27, 2010.
  7. Boyle KJ, et al. Benign gynecologic conditions. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:245.
  8. Templeman C. Adolescent endometriosis. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2009; 36:177.
  9. Amer S. Endometriosis. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 2008;18:126.
  10. Gallenberg M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 29, 2010.
DS00289 Sept. 11, 2010

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