Supporting your partner with endometriosis

Endometriosis is not just bad period pain.

It is a medical condition that causes uterine lining to grow in different parts of your body. This can cause severe pain and stop you from doing everyday activities.

The pain it causes can happen throughout the month but may be worse during your period, during or after going to the toilet or after sex.

Pain can be difficult to manage at home.

Endometriosis symptoms vary person-to-person so it is important you don’t make assumptions about your partner’s condition. Talk to them about what they are experiencing and discuss what you can do to help. If your partner has a lot of pain, they may not be able to carry out usual day-to-day activities.¹

Pain due to endometriosis can happen at any time but may be worse during their period. They may also get other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and heavy bleeding.²

Talking to your partner and making the effort to understand their condition will help with your relationship and make your partner feel listened to and supported.

We have a few tips on how you can support your partner with their condition.

• Increase support and care - during symptom flare-ups try to offer more support around the house, getting pain relief for them or offering them comfort
• Offer emotional support - edometriosis can occasional cause feelings of guilt, frustration or low mood. If this happens, talk about how you both are feeling and how you both can make it easier
• Respect each other's boundaries - endometriosis can impact how someone feels about themselves, which may impact their desire for intimacy or a sexual relationship. Don't take it personally and be open with each other about how you are feeling
• Advocate for them at doctors appointments - it can be difficult for the individual to advocate for themselves and having a partner there to confirm that this is not typical period symptoms can help them feel heard and reach a correct diagnosis.¹

Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as pain, emotional distress and low libido. These symptoms can impact on relationships but there are ways to minimise the risk of this happening and to help support both of you through tough times

Ways to help your relationship include:

• Talking about your feelings. Sitting down with your partner and having a calm discussion about the ways you are both feelings. Endometriosis is nobody’s fault and it is important nobody in the relationship feels responsible. Try to work through difficult emotions together.³
• Couples counselling. Talking to a professional therapist either individually or together can help you work through some of the issues you might be facing. They can discuss your feelings with you in a judgement-free environment and give you tools to help you work through your emotions.
• Prioritise attending appointments together. It’s important that you both know and understand what endometriosis is and how it might impact both of your lives. By going to your partners appointments you can help by note taking, asking questions and developing your knowledge of the condition.