Endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition, can be difficult to diagnose because there are no easy tests like blood or urine samples to confirm the disease. Additionally, endometriosis has many symptoms and affects women differently. Endometriosis is often not recognized or understood, and the type and severity of symptoms one woman experiences may differ from the next woman's.
Some women may write off their symptoms as "normal," not realizing there is reason to alert a health care professional (HCP). They may be embarrassed to bring up their symptoms or may not communicate them clearly to their HCP for fear they'll appear to be complaining or blowing things out of proportion.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.