Checklist for Researching Endometriosis Care

Before choosing or contacting a provider, it helps to ask clear questions about experience, services and next steps. The right care depends on your symptoms, goals, previous treatment, suspected disease location, fertility plans and what support you need now. This checklist can help you use the Endometriosis Care Directory more confidently. The directory is for research and information only. It is not a recommendation, referral service, ranking or medical advice. Always check details directly with the provider and speak with an appropriate healthcare professional before making decisions about your care.

Start with what you need

Before searching, ask yourself what kind of help you are looking for. You may need:

  • diagnostic review
  • specialist imaging
  • excision surgery discussion
  • pelvic physiotherapy
  • pain management
  • fertility support
  • bowel or bladder assessment
  • diaphragm, chest or thoracic review
  • nerve-like pain support
  • post-surgery follow-up
  • emotional or psychosexual support
  • a second opinion

You do not need to know the exact provider type before you start. A clear symptom summary can help guide the search.

Core questions to ask

When contacting a provider or clinic, you may want to ask:

  • What type of endometriosis care do you provide?
  • Do you assess suspected endometriosis, confirmed endometriosis, or both?
  • Which symptoms do you commonly assess?
  • Do you see complex or extra-pelvic symptoms?
  • Do you manage bowel, bladder, ureter, diaphragm, chest, scar or nerve-like symptoms?
  • What referral is needed?
  • What information should I send before booking?
  • What records should I bring?
  • What happens after the first appointment?
  • What follow-up is available?

Experience and service questions

A provider profile can be helpful, but it may not answer everything. Ask directly about:

  • relevant experience with endometriosis
  • whether they manage deep or complex disease
  • whether specialist imaging is available
  • whether multidisciplinary team input is available
  • whether they work with colorectal, urology, fertility, pain or pelvic physiotherapy specialists
  • whether they provide assessment only, treatment, surgery, rehabilitation or follow-up
  • whether they can advise if your needs are outside their service

A good provider should be clear about what they can and cannot offer.

Access, costs and practical questions

Before booking, check practical details. You may want to ask:

  • Is this public, NHS, private or mixed care?
  • Can I self-refer, or do I need a GP or specialist referral?
  • What are the waiting times?
  • What are the appointment costs?
  • Are scans, procedures or follow-up charged separately?
  • Is insurance accepted, if relevant?
  • Are online appointments available?
  • Where would surgery or procedures take place?
  • What happens if I need urgent care while waiting?

This can help avoid unexpected costs, delays or unsuitable appointments.

Safety and follow-up questions

It is reasonable to ask how care will be managed if symptoms change or if the provider is not the right fit. Ask:

  • What symptoms need urgent or emergency care?
  • Who should I contact if symptoms worsen?
  • How does follow-up work?
  • What happens if treatment does not help?
  • What happens if my symptoms are outside your service?
  • Will you refer me on if another specialist is needed?
  • Who coordinates care if several specialists are involved?

You should not be left without a plan.

Decision support

A good provider should help you understand your options clearly. They should explain:

  • what they think may be happening
  • what tests or imaging may help
  • what treatment options exist
  • what the benefits and risks are
  • what alternatives are available
  • what they cannot promise
  • what happens next
  • when to review the plan

You deserve clear information, not pressure.

Prepare before you speak with a healthcare professional

Use our Prepare for Appointment Tool to organise your symptoms, questions, previous treatments, surgery history, scan results and priorities before your appointment. Try to record where symptoms happen, whether they follow a cycle, what affects daily life, what you have already tried, what records you have, and what you want the appointment to help you decide. You do not need a perfect diary. A clear summary can help the conversation feel more focused.

Finding the right type of care

Use the Endometriosis Care Directory to explore different types of endometriosis-related care providers, including clinics, centres, excision surgeons, pelvic physiotherapists, pain specialists, fertility specialists, urologists, colorectal specialists, thoracic specialists and emotional support providers. The directory can help you research options, compare provider profiles and prepare better questions. It does not confirm whether a provider is right for you. Always check directly.

Final reminder

Researching care can feel overwhelming, but clear questions can help. You deserve to know what a provider offers, whether they match your symptoms, how access works, what costs or waiting times apply, and what happens next if your needs are outside their service. This resource is here to support your understanding, not replace medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.