How to Get Help When Dealing with Silent Endometriosis

Silent endometriosis is a form of endometriosis that does not present with symptoms. This often makes finding and treating the condition difficult for those struggling with infertility. It may be hard to diagnose because it doesn’t cause extreme amounts of pain, but it still affects fertility. When seeking help with this condition, seek a trusted medical provider. Here are a few ways to deal with silent endometriosis:

Find a Reputable Medical Provider

Find a medical provider that you trust. This helps you have effective communication. Because silent endometriosis doesn’t have strong symptoms, find a provider who will listen to you as you advocate for yourself. A provider administers a test to obtain a uterine lining sample. This test determines the likelihood of an endometriosis diagnosis, allowing you and your doctor to come up with a treatment plan for symptoms or to help with infertility. You may also try getting a second opinion from another doctor if necessary.

By tracking your symptoms, you provide your doctor with data they can study. All symptoms, especially mild ones, should be noted in a journal that you bring to medical appointments. These may be things like irregular periods, cramping, or bloating. This documentation helps your doctor understand your symptoms and helps with a diagnosis and treatment. By being consistent with documentation, you may be able to help prevent misdiagnoses, which may disrupt treatment and condition progression.

Find a Support Group

Because having an invisible or silent condition such as this could make you feel isolated, a support group helps give you a community and mutual understanding. If you’ve been diagnosed with silent endometriosis, your medical professional may be able to refer you to a women’s health group that meets in person or even online. This provides comfort and well-being, and you may hear firsthand from people with similar experiences. This gives you practical advice and tips for dealing with this diagnosis and helps you find a good doctor. 

Learn from others as they tell you of their experiences with various therapies and treatments. Ask for advice on self-advocacy, such as keywords associated with this condition and treatment, and how to ask for specific tests or therapies. Make sure to find groups that offer scientifically-based information and not misinformation so you can stay well-informed.

Make Lifestyle Changes

While not a replacement for medical treatment and doctors’ orders, there are changes that could help manage symptoms. Adjustments to diet and increased exercise may be recommended with medical treatment. A diet focusing on anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoiding foods like red meats and sugar can be beneficial in reducing pain. Ask your doctor about supplements that can help manage endometriosis. Magnesium can help with pain from cramps, and vitamin D levels are lower in people with this condition, so take a vitamin supplement.

Increasing yoga, cardio, and low-impact strength exercises helps improve bone density, mobility, and lowers inflammation. It may also help manage fatigue and improve pain tolerance. Avoid over-exercising, as this may increase pain or trigger symptoms.

Educate Yourself

There are multiple ways to educate yourself on your condition. Utilize medical pamphlets and journals to learn specific language related to your case, as this allows you to communicate with a professional and advocate for your needs more clearly. You may talk to someone who also has this condition, and they could advise on lifestyle changes that worked for them, pain management techniques, and doctors they trust. Being equipped with this knowledge allows you to seek help for your needs. You can ask specifically for certain tests and treatments, and better understand the doctor’s explanations. This gives you more control in dealing with your condition.

Get Help With Silent Endometriosis Today

If you are suffering from this condition, then there are steps to take to help treat it. While there is currently no cure, these steps help improve your quality of life while living with it. Taking the right supplements under the doctor’s supervision can help manage pain and keep you healthy. Making lifestyle changes in eating and exercising also helps manage this condition. Finding a trustworthy doctor who takes your symptoms seriously allows you to self-advocate and be educated. Find a reputable medical professional near you today.