VILA, Ana Carolina Dias; VANDENBERGHE, Luc    SILVEIRA, Nusa de Almeida. The experience of infertility and endometriosis: suggestions for health professional. []. , 11, 2, pp.219-228. ISSN 1645-0086.

This study discusses aspects of the daily life of patients with endometriosis. It considers life habits related to endometriosis and the feelings of women confronted with the diagnosis and the treatment. Data were collected in a sample of 40 women with diagnosis of endometriosis, through a selection of patient files and through interviews. Exposure to toxic substances was high in this sample. More than half of the participants did not practice sufficient physical activity. The diets of many patients lacked vitamin E, C and fibras. Insecurity and anxiety were the main feelings when receiving the diagnosis, but, once the treatment started, positive emotions predominated. The most frequent sources of emotional support that helped the women to live through the treatment were: faith, the partner and the family. Health professionals need to pay attention to the destructive impact of cultural prejudices. They need to help the patient cope with her insecurity, anxiety, sadness and fear during the diagnostic process. They must provide coaching concerning life style changes and questions related to exposure to toxic substances. And they also need to help sustain both the patient’s positive emotional responses to treatment and her partner’s support during treatment.

: Endometriosis; infertility; environmental factors; feminine experience.

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