The effects of endometriosis can vary greatly from one woman to the next. Some may only have very mild symptoms, others may be in excruciating pain all the time, and some may not have any obvious symptoms of the condition at all.
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In an article for PopSugar, women living with endometriosis offer advice about managing the condition and share tips on how best to get treated, including:
Be Your Own Advocate: Take the time to find out as much about endometriosis and the various treatment options as possible so you can be proactive in your journey with the condition.
Keep a Diary: Fill the diary with details about your pain and other symptoms. It’s a useful tool to show your doctor when trying to get an accurate diagnosis. It will also help you determine if there are things that trigger your endometriosis pain.
Join a Support Group: If there isn’t a local support group, you could join an online support group, or even start one up of your own. Sharing your experiences with others who are going through the same thing will help you through some of the tough times.
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Exercise Regularly: Finding an exercise you enjoy that doesn’t trigger endometriosis pain will help you feel healthier, sleep better and equip you to better handle the symptoms of the condition. Many women find yoga or other stretching exercises beneficial.
Watch Your Diet: Some foods and drinks may trigger endometriosis pain, so it’s worth going on an elimination diet or keeping a food diary to see if your diet can be changed to help better manage your endometriosis.
Sleep Well: Pain can often disrupt sleep so try to catch up on lost sleep when you’re able to, whether that’s taking a quick 20-minute nap, going to bed an hour earlier, or having a long rest on the weekend.
Use Heat: Hot water bottles or heat pads can help you manage endometriosis pain, particularly at night.
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Take it Easy: Don’t push yourself when you’re going through an endometriosis flare. Take the time to rest up and take it easy until it passes.
Find a Good Doctor: You may need to see several doctors before you find one who will take your endometriosis symptoms seriously. Ask others living with the condition for recommendations.
Try Complementary Therapies: Different things work for different women, but many women find comfort in acupuncture or massage, others swear by certain vitamin supplements. Listen to what other endometriosis sufferers do to help with pain relief and give it a go.
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Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.