When symptoms are complex, it can be difficult to explain everything in a short appointment.

You may forget details, minimise pain, feel rushed, or leave wishing you had asked something important.

Our Prepare for Appointment Tool is designed to help you organise your thoughts before speaking with a GP, specialist or other healthcare professional.

What the tool is for

The tool helps you prepare a clear summary of:

  • your symptoms
  • where symptoms happen
  • when symptoms happen
  • whether symptoms link to your cycle
  • how symptoms affect daily life
  • what treatment you have tried
  • what questions you want to ask
  • what outcome you are hoping for

It is not a diagnostic tool. It does not tell you whether you have endometriosis. It helps you prepare for better conversations.

When to use it

Use the tool before:

  • a GP appointment
  • a gynaecology appointment
  • an endometriosis specialist appointment
  • a surgery consultation
  • a pelvic physiotherapy appointment
  • a pain management appointment
  • a fertility appointment
  • a urology or colorectal appointment
  • a follow-up appointment
  • a second opinion

You can also use it if you are unsure whether to book an appointment, because it may help you see how much symptoms are affecting your life.

What to include

Include symptoms such as:

  • pelvic pain
  • period pain
  • pain outside periods
  • bowel symptoms
  • bladder symptoms
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • pain during or after sex
  • fertility concerns
  • back, hip, groin or leg pain
  • shoulder, chest or breathing symptoms
  • scar pain or swelling
  • emotional impact
  • missed school, work or activities

Do not leave something out because it feels embarrassing. Bowel, bladder and sex-related symptoms can be important.

How to describe impact

The tool will help you explain how symptoms affect daily life.

Examples:

  • “I miss school or work every month.”
  • “I cannot exercise during flares.”
  • “I avoid sex because of pain.”
  • “I cannot sleep when symptoms are severe.”
  • “I need help caring for my children during flares.”
  • “I cancel plans because symptoms are unpredictable.”
  • “I am worried about fertility.”
  • “I feel dismissed and do not know what to ask next.”

Impact helps healthcare professionals understand severity.

Choosing your main questions

Before the appointment, choose your most important questions.

For example:

  • Could my symptoms be linked with endometriosis?
  • What else could be causing this?
  • What investigations are appropriate?
  • Can endometriosis be present if scans are normal?
  • Should I be referred?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What should I do if symptoms worsen?
  • Should another specialist be involved?

You may not have time to ask everything, so put your most important questions first.

Taking the tool summary to your appointment

You can:

  • print it
  • save it on your phone
  • copy key notes into your appointment app
  • use it to practise what you want to say
  • give it to the healthcare professional if helpful

At the start of the appointment, you could say:

“I have written down my symptoms because I find it difficult to remember everything. Could we use this to guide the appointment?”

After the appointment

After the appointment, update your notes with:

  • what was discussed
  • what the plan is
  • what treatment was offered
  • what tests or referrals were arranged
  • what questions remain
  • when you need follow-up
  • what symptoms should trigger urgent help

This helps you prepare for the next appointment.

If symptoms are urgent

If symptoms are severe, sudden or unsafe, do not wait to complete the tool.

Seek urgent medical help if you have:

  • severe sudden pain
  • fainting
  • fever
  • heavy bleeding that feels unsafe
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing blood
  • new leg weakness
  • new loss of bladder or bowel control

Final reminder

The Prepare for Appointment Tool is there to help you feel clearer, calmer and more prepared.

You do not need to remember everything alone.

Your symptoms matter, your questions matter, and you deserve to leave appointments with a clearer plan.