If you think you may have endometriosis, keeping a diary of symptoms, when they started, timing and severity is a good way to help your health practitioner or gynaecologist with the diagnosis. Some things to consider and keep a note of are as follows:

Periods

• At what age did your periods start?
• When did your last period start?
• Are your periods regular?
• How long do your periods last?
• How heavy are your periods (how often do you change your tampon/pads? What type of tampon or pads do you use e.g. regular, super, nighttime, maternity)
• Do you pass clots or have flooding during your periods?
• Do you have a brown discharge before your period starts?
• Do you have bleeding or spotting between your periods?

Period pain

• Do you have pain with your periods?
• When does the pain start?
• For how many hours or days does your pain last?
• Where does it hurt?
• Is the pain getting worse?
• Does it restrict you from normal activities? If yes, how?
• Are there any measures that help relieve your period pain?
• Is it accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea?

Other pain

• Do you have pain during or after intercourse?
• Do you have pain when passing urine or using your bowels?
• Do you have pain at ovulation (around the middle of your cycle)?
• Does it restrict you from normal activities? If yes, how?
• What makes your pain better or worse?
• Do you use pain medication? If so, what do you take and does it work?

Other symptoms

• Do you have constipation and/or diarrhoea?
• Do you have lower back pain or leg pain?
• Do you suffer from chronic fatigue or migraines?
• When do you experience the above symptoms?
• Have you ever tried to conceive? If yes, for how long?
• Has your mother, sister or other family members had endometriosis?

Content Updated July 31, 2009