Why I Tell Every Doctor About My Endometriosis

I recently went to the chiropractor to address some neck pain. "Do you have any other physical complaints?" she asked. I sighed before going into my condensed endometriosis spiel. I told her I have some general aching and a lot of pelvic issues.

Refreshingly, she was not surprised and told me she was glad I mentioned it. People with endometriosis "have a lot of aches and pains" she said.

Since I told her about my endo, she knew that meant I might have some tightness in my muscles from trying to guard against the pain. She might not be able to completely resolve it, but it was helpful for her to get a broader idea of my symptoms.

Since my endometriosis affects more than just my period, I’ve made it a habit to tell all of my doctors about my condition. Here are a few related conditions.

Mental health

I get a lot more anxious, irritable, and depressed the week before my period. When I told my general practitioner about my endometriosis, she said I could have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Some doctors might not have made the link, but she took my chronic condition into account before deciding on a treatment.

Digestion

I’ve had bloating issues for years, but it wasn’t until I told my gastroenterologist about my endometriosis that I got a treatment that worked. He knew endometriosis affects the bowels and suggested I try the low-FODMAP diet. Had I not told him about my endo, he might not have made the connection.

Headaches

When I started getting migraines in my late 20s, they were sporadic and didn’t seem directly related to my menstrual cycle. But when I told my doctor about my endometriosis, she told me to track my headaches with my cycle. Sure enough, they were only triggered at ovulation and a few days before my period. She suggested I take magnesium before my period — which actually helped — and wrote me a prescription when they didn’t work.

Talking about endo

I know not everything is related to my endometriosis, but I always talk about it with physicians just in case. Thankfully, more doctors are taking endometriosis seriously.