Women’s experience of living with Endometriosis : A literature review

Background: Endometriosis is a gynecological disease for women of fertile age. Ten percent of the fertile female population is believed to have the disease. Endometriosis usually manifests itself in the form of heavy bleedings, cramps, painful periods, pain during intercourse and chronic abdominal and pelvic pain. Aim: To describe womens experiences of living with endometriosis. Method: A literature study. This study is based on ten scientific articles. The articles have been analyzed and thematized using content analysis to answer the study’s purpose study. Results: Women with endometriosis experienced that they were affected socially, physically and mentally by the disease. They experienced lack of information and mistrust from healthcare professionals and family. Conclusion: The disease has an impact on the physical, mental, social and sexual health which women experience has a negative impact on the qualiy of life. Women's education, professional life and close relationships are adversely affected. Severe pain led to absenteeism, concentration difficulties and created fear of being intimate with their partners. The women’s experiences of living with endometriosis are characterized by encountering mistrust and nonchalance, which is due to the lack of knowledge and communication about endometriosis in health care and society.