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Endometriosis
By Erin Dean

Essential facts

Alamy
Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial-
like (womb lining) tissue outside the uterus, Find out more
which induces a chronic, inflammatory
reaction. Up to one in ten women and Endometriosis UK
Endometriosis and couples
up to 50% of infertile women are believed
endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-
to have the condition, which can be painful and-couples
and debilitating. It can have a significant
RCN
impact on quality of life and on the lives of Endometriosis fact sheet
partners. Research has found that men are my.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/
often marginalised in relation to endometriosis, pdf_file/0009/611982/Endometriosis_
with little information and support available. factsheet-004-777.pdf
De Montfort University Leicester
What’s new? The ENDOPART study: exploring
Endometriosis UK has published a new the impact of endometriosis on
resource on the effect endometriosis has couples
dmu.ac.uk/research/research-
on couples. This information, for women, faculties-and-institutes/health-and-
their partners and health professionals, Causes and risk factors life-sciences/reproduction-research-
says that the condition can have a negative The causes are unknown, but endometriosis group/the-endopart-study.aspx
effect on couples’ quality of life in complex mainly affects girls and women of childbearing Relate
and multidimensional ways. Sex and intimacy, age. It is less common in women who have relate.org.uk
having children, quality of life and finances been through the menopause. RCNi articles
can all be affected by the condition. Chronic pelvic pain: causes,
How you can help your patient mechanisms and effects
Signs and symptoms Be alert to the symptoms of endometriosis (Nursing Standard, 2011)
Symptoms include painful periods, deep to support early diagnosis, as it currently rcni.com/pelvic-pain
pain during sex, chronic pelvic pain, takes women an average of seven years to be Jane Bates: Time to raise the
painful bowel movements and urination, diagnosed. Acknowledge the impact it can have profile of endometriosis
and premenstrual symptoms with or on relationships and partners when discussing (Nursing Standard, 2017)
rcni.com/endometriosis-profile
without abnormal bleeding and pain. with families and their partners. Support
Chronic fatigue, depression, infertility, referral to specialist services and signpost
painful caesarean section scar or cyclical support groups, such as Endometriosis UK.
lump, and back, leg and chest pain are also
common symptoms. Erin Dean is a freelance health journalist

Wendy Norton
is senior lecturer in sexual health at
De Montfort University, Leicester
‘Endometriosis has a significant impact on day-
to-day life for women, partners and the couple
relationship. This resource is useful for couples
and nurses, and helps to better understand the
impact of this condition and to empower women
to access the support available to help them
manage the condition.
‘The resource provides practical advice such
as encouraging couples to communicate openly,
acknowledging and addressing the long-term
issues the condition may cause, and seeking
practical solutions to manage symptoms.
‘Women may delay seeking help, as they,
and some healthcare professionals, perceive
that painful periods are normal. But debilitating
period pain is not normal and women need to
be encouraged to seek referral to help speed
up a definitive diagnosis.’

10 / November 2017 / volume 27 number 9 primaryhealthcare.com

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