Ask questions
Help yourself become well-informed by talking to your doctor, attending sessions run by self-help groups and using the resources offered by women’s health services.
Read as much as possible about endometriosis and talk to other sufferers. This will not only keep you well-informed but remind you that you are not alone.
Take control
It is your body and you have to live with your decisions. Carefully consider your doctor’s advice and take into account the information you have read. But remember the final decision should be yours.
Communiñate
Talk to women who have been through similar experiences. Talk with your family and your partner, if you have one. Talk to your doctor. Get the best possible care. Do not be frightened to seek a second, third or fourth opinion before you make any final decision.
Be assertive
Remind yourself that you have the right to the best possible care and that you have the right to voice your concerns and opinions. Do not be pushed into any decisions that you feel uncomfortable with.
Set realistic goals. Take it step-by-step, day-by-day. Do not rush yourself or allow others to rush you into decisions.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. Seek help if you are finding it difficult to make decisions on your own.
“You may come across many conflicting ideas about the best way to approach decision making. Remember to investigate all avenues, ideas and suggestions before you make choices.
Once you are well informed you should make a decision that you are happy with.
Decisions should not be put entirely on your shoulders. Encourage and involve others, including doctors, family, partners, friends and other women with endometriosis, self-help groups and women’s health centers, to help you make the right choice. Remember – you are not alone.
Infertility
This can cause heartache, disappointment and loneliness – but couples do cope. If you have been on the infertility merry-go-round at some stage you will need to ask yourself, ‘Have I had enough?’. When are you prepared to stop infertility treatment? Ask yourself how much is too much. How long can you continue to be disappointed when yet another treatment has failed? How long can you put up with the disruption to your life? If you agree to continue with infertility treatments, will these be at the expense of other plans you have for your life?
Realize that you may never have a child; try and accept this – getting help if you need it – and then re-evaluate your goals.
Accepting that you will be childless may actually signal success and show that you have come to terms with your limitations. You have recognized the need to go on with other aspects of your life.
But do not be pushed into making a decision one way or another. It is your choice so make your own decision, in your own time, for the right reasons for you.
Calling it quits
You have the right to decide when you have had enough so that you can come to terms with the impact of your endometriosis. It may mean that you will never have children if you decide to have no further treatment or investigations. If you have had enough of the pain, the treatments and the disruption that endometriosis can cause, then the final decision may be to have a hysterectomy.
It is important to remember that if you are not coping at any stage, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek professional help.
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