To live with endometriosis, a disease that rules the life

Background: Endometriosis is a disease which, though it impacts one of ten women, has a lack of knowledge in the society and among healthcare professionals. The lack of knowledge causes delays in diagnosis and a lack of comprehension for the women. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences of living with endometriosis. Method: The method used in this study was a method to contribute to evidence-based nursing with ground in analysis of qualitative research. Through the similarities and contradictions in the analyzed studies, themes and under-themes were created. Result: Findings showed that the women's experiences often were negative. Friends, family and healthcare professionals normalized the pain and the women often endured the pain in belief that it was normal. The lack of knowledge in endometriosis caused misdiagnosis and diagnostic delays. The endometriosis limited the women's daily living, work and social life by decreasing their activity because of symptoms as pain, nausea, fatigue, heavy bleeding and diarrhea. The disease also affected the women's relationships and the feeling of being a woman. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge in endometriosis caused an unnecessarily suffering among the women with the disease. If the awareness of endometriosis would increase in the society and among healthcare professionals the time for diagnosis and the encounters with patients suffering from endometriosis could improve