How to Find an Endometriosis Specialist

Finding an endometriosis specialist is a crucial part to getting good treatment for this disease. It is well known that many, many doctors and gynecologists do not have a very good understanding of endometriosis, yet alone having any accurate knowledge.

In an ideal world you need to get treatment from a doctor who has specialized in endometriosis and has a lot of experience in treating women and girls at all stages of the disease.

It is unfortunate that there are very few doctors around the world who are experts at treating endometriosis, but their numbers seem to be growing. This situation will be a direct result of the ever growing numbers of women around the world who now suffer the disease, and the growing number of women who are now getting diagnosed.

I think it goes without saying that it is the wealth of knowledge available on the internet that is allowing women to find out ‘what is causing all the pain they suffer’. They are beginning to question why they are suffering so much with their periods, and finding out that it is not normal.

Ideally you would want to find a doctor who has an all encompassing knowledge of endometriosis, including: surgical skills, thorough knowledge of endometriosis, current understanding of various treatments, access to the most modern surgical equipment and techniques, openness to complementary approaches, and compassion for what you are going through.

If we lived in an enlightened world it would be wonderful to see a situation where there was ‘joined up’ treatment being offered between doctors, gynecologist, nutritionists, and complementary practitioners. This could entail communication between the different carers/specialists, so that a holistic treatment plan could be drawn up and tailor made for the individual woman. Of course this will never happen. There are so many different ideologies, competitiveness of whose ‘treatment’ had been successful, economics, and many other complexities of human nature to contend with.

In the meantime women with endometriosis have to contend with a lot of ‘DIY’ regarding finding information, and then deciding how to go about getting treatment.

Fortunately, several doctors around the world have made endometriosis their primary focus. There are also a growing number of complementary practitioners who are gaining experience and success at treating endometriosis. Many of the endometriosis specialists are usually located in larger metropolitan areas or teaching hospitals, although a few can be found in smaller communities.

If you want to find an endometriosis specialist near to where you live, a good place to start your enquiries is with your local endometriosis support group, or contact the national support group for your country. They will probably have had feedback from other women, and should have had contact with the specialists in their country. Ask your family doctor if they know of any endometriosis specialists, or ask for a referral.

If you have the means, you may want to consider traveling to see an expert, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t have access to an endometriosis specialist. If you live in the US, certain types of insurance may not cover an appointment with an ‘out of area’ doctor, so you may have to pay out of pocket. This can be a considerable financial, logistical, and emotional decision, but might be worth it in the long run. Treatment by an endometriosis specialist may help you avoid years of misdiagnosis or inadequate treatments.

Locating a good endometriosis doctor may take time and effort. But believe me it will be worth it. I have heard from many women who have had bad experiences trying to get treatment of their endometriosis :

• dozens of women who have gone through a complete hysterectomy to try and get rid of the disease and the pain, only to find that it comes back. Surely by now these surgeons must have heard all the stories of endometriosis that returns even after a hysterectomy. But … (being a cynic) the income earned for surgical procedures is one that many surgeons seem unable to resist! ( You know what its like to be a woman - going to a car mechanic and they think they can pull the wool over your eyes.... ) "Yes, have a hysterectomy and you will have no more trouble"
• women who undergo one laparoscopy after another in quick succession, which means more trauma to the body, and is probably the cause of unnecessary adhesions which were caused by the surgery and not by the endometriosis
• women who have been opened up for surgery only to be told that the surgeon could not treat all the endometriosis – this is probably a lack of experience/confidence on the part of the surgeon