Many people with endometriosis symptoms feel dismissed before they get answers.

Being told pain is normal, scans are clear, or symptoms are stress-related can be upsetting when you know something is affecting your life.

You deserve to be listened to. You also deserve a clear plan for what happens next.

Start by preparing clearly

Before your appointment, use our Prepare for Appointment Tool.

It helps you organise:

  • symptoms
  • timing
  • cycle patterns
  • pain severity
  • bowel and bladder symptoms
  • pain during or after sex
  • fatigue
  • impact on school, work and daily life
  • previous tests
  • treatments tried
  • questions you want answered

Clear preparation can make it harder for the conversation to drift or minimise what is happening.

Focus on impact

Healthcare appointments are often short. Be clear about how symptoms affect your life.

Examples:

  • “I miss school or work because of pain.”
  • “I cannot sleep during flares.”
  • “I vomit or faint with my periods.”
  • “I have bowel symptoms that flare around my cycle.”
  • “Pain during sex is affecting my relationship.”
  • “I am planning my life around symptoms.”
  • “Pain relief is not enough.”

Impact matters.

Ask direct questions

You can ask:

  • Could this be endometriosis?
  • What else could be causing these symptoms?
  • What are the next steps?
  • Would ultrasound or MRI be appropriate?
  • Does a normal scan rule out endometriosis?
  • Should I be referred to gynaecology?
  • Should I be referred to an endometriosis specialist?
  • What should I do if symptoms continue or worsen?

Ask for the reason if referral is refused

If you ask for referral and it is refused, you can ask:

  • “Can you explain why referral is not being made?”
  • “What criteria would need to be met for referral?”
  • “Can this decision be recorded in my notes?”
  • “Can we agree when this will be reviewed?”

This keeps the conversation practical and documented.

Bring someone with you

If possible, bring a trusted person to the appointment.

They can help you:

  • remember what you wanted to say
  • explain the impact
  • take notes
  • ask questions
  • feel less alone

Ask for a second opinion

If symptoms continue and you feel dismissed, it is reasonable to seek another opinion.

This may mean seeing another GP, asking for referral, seeking a specialist review, or using another care route where available.

Keep copies of records

It can help to keep copies of:

  • scan reports
  • blood test results
  • referral letters
  • discharge summaries
  • operation reports
  • histology reports
  • medication lists
  • symptom notes

These can help if you see a new clinician.

Know when symptoms are urgent

Seek urgent medical help if you have severe sudden pain, fainting, fever, heavy bleeding that feels unsafe, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood, blood in urine, new weakness, or new loss of bladder or bowel control.

Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms feel urgent.

Final reminder

Being dismissed can make you doubt yourself, but symptoms that affect your life deserve proper attention.

You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to ask what happens next. You are allowed to seek another opinion.