Effects of Endometriosis on Relationships of Women
Quality relationships play a big role in providing us with support, enjoyment, intimacy and understanding. Endometriosis pain and this health condition’s effects cause stress and strain on every relationship. However, they can also offer opportunities for tremendous growth in a relationship. For women with endometriosis the support of those close to them, whether it be partner, parent, relative, close friend or even work colleagues; can make a huge difference, especially in the long-term. Endometriosis can be one of the most testing and trying situations for all close relationships.
With Partner
- The repercussions of Endometriosis on a woman and her partner are constant day in and day out
- She and her partner already aware of the possible long term effects of endometriosis regarding fertility and starting a family independent of if they already aren’t parents or even though they already are
- She and her partner both will go through agonies over fertility problem
- Some marriages and long term relationships have been ruined because of endometriosis
- Difficulty of having a normal, healthy sex life because of the pain it can cause; sometimes resulting in breaking up of the relationship
- Many therapies for endometriosis can suppress libido. This makes it hard for a man to understand how endometriosis, pain and fear can interfere with a woman's sex drive.
- There are many women however, who find themselves in a relationship with a man who is in it for real, in sickness and in health, and they do as much as they can to provide support and help cope with the broader concerns that this disease brings up
With Parents
- No parent wants to hear that their child experiences chronic pain
- A woman telling her parents about endometriosis can bring about a range of responses. They will go upset or angry that this is happening to their daughter.
- They may blame themselves or feel genetically responsible for their daughter’s situation
- On the other hand, they may think their daughter is overreacting and deny the very existence of her problem
- Parents take some time to understand what is happening. However once they have, they will be able to provide her with much needed support.
With Friends
- Sometimes for the worse, friendship changes which isn’t intentional and this can be very hurtful for that woman
- Friends will be concerned at first; they will offer support and advice and gradually this support starts to wear thin
- Friends too start missing the person in that woman who was full of energy and enjoyed a good laugh
- She can’t go out with friends because of her pain or painful periods
- She gradually stops sharing her pain with her friends
- Friends start drifting away from her or else she starts drifting away from friends into isolation
- Sometimes she may be lucky to have a few friends who are more sensitive and understanding, and they will continue to be good friends and stand by her no matter how awful she is feeling
With Co-workers
- Similar to friends, co-workers too start drifting away from her avoiding witnessing and listening to her agony
- She starts taking time off work because she is not fit enough to work but her co-workers cannot see anything physically wrong with her
- Many women will continue to try and work when they do not feel well enough, but they will be performing below par
- Her manager/boss will notice her low performance. When she explains in brief succinct manner about her low performance, the gravity of her situation stays out of their understanding.
Eventually, she ends up in a situation where her work quality and sickness leave puts her in a situation where she is given a warning about her conduct in her job.
With Oneself
For women with endometriosis, negative body image can be a problem as physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, bloating, painful sex, irregular periods and bladder/bowel symptoms can impact the way they feel about their bodies. Some women with endometriosis may feel that their body has failed them somehow, forcing them to ask themselves- “The pain and not knowing what impact endometriosis is going to have on my life, not only from day to day but in the future. How will my body feel tomorrow? Will I be so bloated I look pregnant? Is my body going to allow me to have children? I don’t feel like I can trust my body.”
Everyday Effects
- Women will probably be suffering from constant tiredness, which can make everyday tasks seem like a huge effort. The tiredness will make them more miserable and depressed than they already are.
- Women have depression to deal with because of pain