location but it’s worth it to travel if your symptoms are moderate to severe.
Additionally, some of these doctors have successfully petitioned insurance providers to cover treatment that wasn’t part of a patient’s health plan.
RELATED: Day 1: Just Diagnosed with Endometriosis
Why Black Women Need To Find Specialists
Not only does it take longer for Black women to get diagnosed with endometriosis, but studies also show that they are more likely to be misdiagnosed, wait longer for treatment, and often don’t get access to all the possible treatment options.
When you’re working with a specialist, they’re less likely to dismiss even your smallest symptoms as endometriosis doesn’t present the same for everyone – especially in the early stages. Specialists also undergo further training to better help their patients undertake the best treatment plan for them.
Another benefit of working with a specialist is they may work with a team. Care centers are exploring a new multidisciplinary approach that includes physical therapists, fertility specialists, counselors, pain specialists, massage therapists, and nutritionists.
Additionally, specialists will have access to up-to-date research and training that are relevant to endometriosis. For example, there have been advancements in minimally invasive surgery for people with endometriosis. There has been a growing preference for these types of surgeries as they have a shorter recovery time, don’t require hormone therapy, and usually don’t affect the patient’s fertility.
Studies also show that Black women have better experiences and outcomes when working with Black doctors. While they haven’t identified the factors involved with endometriosis, in particular, it’s possible that Black doctors are less prone to dismiss the symptoms of their Black patients. They also spend more time discussing treatment options while getting their patients on board.
Endometriosis can significantly affect your day-to-day life and overall health. That’s why it’s important to get diagnosed quickly and start treatment. Finding a specialist is a key step in this process so use all the resources you can to find the right one for you.