Patient information from BMJ

Endometriosis: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Oct 10, 2022

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

Questions for women with pain

• Could my pain be caused by endometriosis?

• If not endometriosis, what else could it be?

• How can you tell whether it's endometriosis?

• Do I need a laparoscopy, or are there any simple treatments I can try first?

• If I have drug treatment what side effects should I expect?

• Will I need time off work?

• Will I be able to take care of my home, play sport, or drive a car while I'm having tests or treatment?

• Will endometriosis make it harder for me to have a baby?

• Will the treatment for endometriosis affect my chances of having a baby?

• Will treatment cure my pain for good?

• What happens if the pain comes back?

• If my pain is very bad does it mean my endometriosis is very bad, too?

• If sex hurts should I stop having sex?

Questions for women having trouble getting pregnant

• Could endometriosis be stopping me getting pregnant?

• Will treating my endometriosis help me to get pregnant?

• Do I need surgery?

• Do I need any more tests?

• Will I need time off work? Will I be able to look after my home, play sport, or drive a car while I'm having tests or treatment?

• Would in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or other treatments for infertility help me?

• Which treatments are most likely to work?

• What is your success rate for women with endometriosis trying to get pregnant?

• If I have a baby will it be easier to get pregnant next time?

• Could I get pregnant naturally if I keep trying?