Nursing Interventions: Endometriosis

1. Encourage the patient and her partner to verbalize their feelings about the disorder and its effect on their relationship.
2. Help the patient develop effective coping strategies.
3. If the patient bleeds excessively with menses, monitor for signs and symptoms of anemia.
4. Check hemoglobin level as ordered.
5. Monitor the patients response to therapy.
6. Explain all the procedures and treatment options. Clarify any misconceptions about the disorder, associated complications, and fertility.
7. Because infertility is possible complication, counsel the patient who wants children not to postpone childbearing.
8. Recommend that the patient have an annual pelvic examination and a Papanicolaou test.
9. Teach the patient about the adverse effects of pharmacologic interventions.