Dr. Sheeva Talebian<\/a>, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and third-party reproduction director at CCRM New York, finds these patterns incredibly frustrating.<\/p>\n \u201cSuffering is not a prerequisite for womanhood,\u201d she told The Post. \u201cWe have to stop the \u2018white-knuckle\u2019 culture where we as women are expected to just push through debilitating pain.\u201d<\/p>\n Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition, affects women who menstruate and results in the growth of uterine-lining tissue elsewhere in the body \u2014\u00a0usually on other reproductive organs but sometimes on the bowels or bladder, and in highly rare cases on far-away areas, like the lungs.<\/p>\n Because it can be so excruciating, endometriosis-related pelvic pain is often the first symptom associated with the disorder. Not all endometriosis patients experience pelvic pain, which only makes it harder to diagnose. (Current diagnostic tools include uterine biopsies or MRIs that look for inflammatory markers.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, shortness of breath, painful sex, irritable bowels, urinary frequency and infertility, among other things.\u00a0<\/p>\n For the 30% of couples who experience unexplained infertility \u2014 or those whose fertility tests come back normal but who are having trouble conceiving \u2014 Talebian recommends asking a doctor if endometriosis may be at play, even if other classic symptoms like pelvic pain aren\u2019t a factor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Across the board, endometriosis patients frequently talk about how important it\u2019s been for them to be their own loudest advocates in a doctor\u2019s office. Talebian agrees.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a provider dismisses your pain as \u2018normal,\u2019 let that be your signal to find a new member for your care team,\u201d she said. \u201cYou deserve a clinician who looks at the data, validates your experience and uses the tools we have to help you thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though there is no known cure for endometriosis \u2014 heck, there isn\u2019t even a single \u201cgold standard\u201d diagnostic tool \u2014 Talebian insists there are some \u201cscience-backed\u201d lifestyle changes that patients can make to manage the disorder, \u201cwhether your goal is to preserve your fertility for the future or simply to live a day without being sidelined by your symptoms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Outside of surgery to remove the uterus, there are some medical interventions<\/a> \u2014 like a steady dose of estrogen and progestin hormones \u2014 to suppress ovulation, which leads to spikes in estrogen. Those spikes may worsen symptoms and disease, Talebian explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n But a lot of endometriosis management comes down to lifestyle. Building a routine with as many anti-inflammatory elements as possible can go a long way in keeping the most disruptive symptoms at bay.<\/p>\n Talebian suggests regular exercise, acupuncture and potentially adding some inflammation-lowering supplements to your rotation, like coenzyme Q10<\/a> or turmeric.<\/p>\n![\"Doctor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125325727.jpg\")
Roughly 1 in 10 women has endometriosis, but it can take around 10 years to get a proper diagnosis. maxbelchenko \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n![\"Fried](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fried-salmon-asparagus-tomatoes-lemon-125325566.jpg\")
One of the best ways to manage chronic endometriosis symptoms is to lead an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, especially when it comes to diet. grinchh \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n