Endometriosis is a complex condition that’s difficult to treat. It can often go undiagnosed for years on end, leaving the sufferer struggling through discomfort, outright pain, and ongoing symptoms that aren’t resolved by conventional treatments. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and haven’t had much luck tackling the condition so far, try these simple strategies to make life a little easier.
- Consult with a specialist. Your GP won’t be qualified to handle a difficult condition like endometriosis, so it’s important to have a specialist that you consult with on a regular basis to come up with a solid treatment plan. A gynaecologist melbourne will be the best place to start – they have the expertise and experience necessary to tackle the disease, and will be able to guide you through a symptom management strategy.
- Develop a pain plan. If you’re struggling with pelvic pain frequently during the month, you may need to experiment with medications and self-care tools to bring your pain levels down. It’s difficult to function when you’re suffering with pain, so dealing with this symptom is key to managing this chronic illness. If heat seems to soothe the discomfort, consider using heat patches under your clothes so that the relief can continue when you leave the house. Stretching, breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and medications can also help.
- Be cautious with medications. Many doctors prescribe stronger NSAID medications to manage pelvic pain in endometriosis. These drugs can often work well, even for moderate to severe pain, but it’s important to follow your dosing instructions and to take your tablets with food to avoid gastric irritation. Taking NSAIDs in the long-term can lead to ulcers and gastric problems, so speak to your doctor about potential side effects and how you can avoid them.
- Reduce your stress levels. Stress can aggravate the symptoms of endometriosis and make living with chronic illness more difficult. Try to bring your stress levels down by managing your time wisely, incorporating an exercise routine into your day, getting enough sleep, eating well, and opening up to others about how you’re feeling.
- Seek psychotherapy. Living with endometriosis can be tough, especially if the treatments you’ve pursued haven’t made a major impact so far. If you begin to feel depressed or hopeless as a result of your illness, it may be helpful to speak to a psychologist who specialises in chronic illness and all that it can entail. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – everyone deserves a listening ear, and they may be able to offer valuable advice that will make life a little easier.
- Prepare to try a variety of treatments. When it comes to a condition like endometriosis, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment or specific cure. For some people, pain medications work well to relieve the symptoms of the condition. For others, the contraceptive pill may provide relief. When those options fail, some sufferers find that surgical interventions are a helpful last resort. Be prepared to try a variety of different options when it comes to your health treatment plan, and don’t be discouraged if one doesn’t work. It may take some time to find the treatment that works best for you personally, but you may eventually find a solution, so don’t give up.