Endometriosis in Teens: Helping Your Daughter Prepare for an Evaluation

Endometriosis in Teens:
Helping Your Daughter Prepare for an Evaluation

Understanding Your Daughter's Diagnosis

Helping Your Daughter Prepare for an Evaluation

Exploring Treatment Options

Living with Endometriosis

Commonly Asked Questions

Endometriosis Guide for Teens

If your daughter is having pelvic pain or unexplained period cramps which cause her to be absent from school several days a month, you can suggest that she keep a record of her symptoms. She can do this by keeping track of the degree of pain each day (0-10, 10 being the most severe pelvic pain) using a calendar or journal. Your daughter should also try to pay attention to the type of pain she is having so she will be able to accurately describe it to her doctor. For example:

Type (sharp, dull, burning, aching, crampy)
Location (where is the pain?)
Duration (how long does it last?)
Intensity (scale of 1-10, how "bad" is the pain?)

Next, she should talk to her primary care doctor (PCP) or pediatrician about her symptoms. Her PCP/pediatrician will recommend an evaluation by a gynecologist if he/she feels that your daughter may have endometriosis. Remind her to bring her pain diary or tracker to her doctors to review.

If your daughter is referred to a gynecologist, it's a good idea to also bring copies of any test results including operative notes related to her pelvic pain. If she has had any surgery for pelvic pain and/or other diagnostic tests, you should arrange to get a copy of the operative report and/or radiology films (you can ask for copies of films from the x-ray department of the health care facility where she had her ultrasound, x-ray, Cat scan or MRI). Be sure to give your providers enough time to send the reports before your appointment, and confirm that the reports have arrived.

Most importantly, make sure your daughter is evaluated by a gynecologist who specializes in taking care of teens with endometriosis. This is very important, as endometriosis in adolescents looks different than that in adults.

Next: Exploring Treatment Options

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

Updated: 9/11/2009

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