Mar 05, 2025

Endometriosis: How to Advocate for Yourself When Doctors Dismiss Your Pain

Have you ever left a doctor’s office feeling unheard, dismissed, or even straight-up gaslit? Sadly, you’re not alone - and for many people with endometriosis, the challenge lies in getting doctors to take the condition seriously.

According to Endometriosis UK, on average, it takes 7 to 10 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis. That’s up to a decade of being told “it’s just bad periods”, “have you tried birth control?” or the worst one—“it’s all in your head.”

So how do we take back control, and advocate for ourselves? How do we, push back against medical dismissal, and finally get the care you deserve? WUKA experts discuss.

Step 1: Know the Facts (Because They Might Not)

Many general practitioners aren’t trained in endometriosis. Some still believe outdated myths like:

🚫 “You can’t have endo if you don’t have heavy periods.”
🚫 “Pregnancy or birth control will cure it.”
🚫 “If it doesn’t show on an ultrasound, you don’t have it.”

🔹 Time for a reality check...

✅ Endometriosis doesn’t always cause heavy periods—some people have pain without excessive bleeding (source).
✅ There is no cure - pregnancy and birth control might help temporarily, but they don’t make the condition disappear.
✅ Ultrasounds can miss endometriosis - deep infiltrating endometrial tissue can’t always be detected with imaging (source).

Knowing these facts can help you push back when doctors dismiss you.

Step 2: Track Your Symptoms Like a Scientist

If your doctor isn’t taking your pain seriously, keep track of your symptoms so you have a detailed symptom journal - making it much harder for you to be brushed off.

🔹 What to track?

📅 Cycle dates – When does your pain start and stop?
😖 Pain levels – Rate pain daily (1-10). Does it spike at ovulation? During sex?
🤢 Other symptoms – Fatigue, bloating, bowel issues, nausea, mood swings?
💊 What helps (or doesn’t) – Does ibuprofen do nothing? Does heat help?

🔹 How to present your symptom tracker?

Instead of saying: “I have bad periods.”
Say: “For the last 6 months, I’ve had severe pelvic pain rated 8/10 for 10-12 days per cycle. Painkillers don’t work, and I experience nausea, bloating, and fatigue. Here’s my symptom log.”

Knowledge is power, and when you know your body well, it's so much harder for others to argue.

Step 3: Push for a Referral (Even If They Say No)

If your GP isn’t giving you answers, you need a specialist. But its not always easy getting a referral Here’s how to insist:

How to Advocate for Yourself When Doctors Dismiss Your Pain

🔹 If they say: “Your symptoms aren’t severe enough.”
🔸 You say: “Severe or not, my pain affects my daily life. NICE guidelines recommend referral to a gynecologist for suspected endometriosis.”

🔹 If they say: “Let’s try birth control first.”
🔸 You say: “I understand that birth control can manage symptoms, but it won’t diagnose or treat endometriosis. I would like a referral to an excision specialist.”

🔹 If they say: “Ultrasound was clear, so you don’t have endo.”
🔸 You say: “Ultrasounds can miss endometriosis. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis. I’d like a second opinion.”

💡 Pro tip: If your doctor refuses to refer you, ask for it in writing. Some will change their tune when they realise they’ll be held accountable.

Step 4: Build a Care Team That Actually Listens

You don’t have to stick with the first doctor you see. If they dismiss you, find someone who won’t.

🔹 How to find an endometriosis specialist?

Endometriosis UK and Nancy’s Nook (on Facebook) list vetted excision surgeons.
Ask in support groups - word of mouth is powerful.
Look for an excision surgeon - not just a general gynaecologist.

WUKA Self-Heating Patch Heat Relief External Use Multi-Colour Non-Medical Soothing Comfort heat Time 30 Seconds Lasts 12 hours Model Front With Patch

If you're struggling to get proper care, a pelvic physiotherapist can also help—especially if tight pelvic muscles are adding to your pain (source).

Step 5: Manage Symptoms While You Fight for Answers

Even if doctors take too long, you still deserve relief. Here are research-backed ways to manage pain in the meantime:

🔥 1. Heat Therapy (Because It Works)

Heat can be as effective as ibuprofen for period pain (source).
✅ WUKA Wearable Hot Water Bottle is a great way to get soothing heat on-the-go.
✅ WUKA Heat Patches provide all-day pain relief, even at work.

💊 2. Nutritional Support

Studies suggest that iron, vitamin D, and hormone-balancing supplements can help with fatigue, inflammation, and pain.
✅ WUKA Cycle Care Iron Gummies help with energy levels if you have heavy bleeding.
✅ WUKA Cycle Care Vitamin D3+K2 Gummies support hormonal balance and immunity.
✅ WUKA Cycle Care Hormone Support Gummies can help regulate oestrogen dominance - a common issue with endometriosis.

🧘 3. Movement & Pelvic Therapy

If your pain is linked to tight pelvic muscles, seeing a pelvic floor therapist could be a game-changer.

🛏️ 4. Better Period Protection for Heavy Flow

Sitting in fear of leaks while dealing with doctors? No thanks.
✅ WUKA Super Heavy Flow Period Pants hold up to 12 tampons’ worth of blood, so you can focus on fighting for answers - not changing pads every hour.