When to Seek Extra Support for Endometriosis

Photo by: Darius Bashar

Living with endometriosis can be overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and mentally. While lifestyle and nutrition strategies offer important relief, there are times when managing symptoms on your own isn’t enough. At times, we often see clients wait too long to seek extra help, hoping symptoms will improve on their own. The truth is: asking for support is not a sign of weakness—it’s a vital step in managing this complex condition.

Persistent or Worsening Pain

Endometriosis pain is often normalized or dismissed, but severe or ongoing pelvic pain is not something you should have to live with. If your pain is interfering with daily activities, work, sleep, or relationships—even with nutritional and lifestyle changes—it’s time to speak with a healthcare provider.

Gynecologists, pain specialists, and pelvic floor physical therapists can help identify the source of the pain and offer additional treatment options such as medication, hormone therapy, or physical therapy. Chronic pain can also lead to heightened stress and fatigue, which creates a cycle that’s hard to break without support.

Fertility Concerns

Endometriosis can affect fertility in many women, sometimes silently. If you’ve been trying to conceive for 6 months to a year without success, it’s important to consult a reproductive endocrinologist. Early intervention can improve your chances of conception and help you explore treatment options such as ovulation support, assisted reproductive technologies, or surgery to remove endometrial lesions.

Working with a dietitian, like us during this time can also be helpful—nutritional support plays a role in hormone regulation, egg quality, and addressing vitamin deficiencies to support reproductive health.

Digestive Symptoms That Don’t Improve

Many women with endometriosis experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or IBS-like symptoms. While gut-friendly foods, probiotics, and stress management can help, ongoing digestive distress may require the help of a gastroenterologist or a dietitian trained in GI health.

A targeted approach—such as identifying food sensitivities, optimizing gut bacteria, or addressing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)—may be necessary. If your symptoms persist or worsen, don’t ignore them. Digestive discomfort is often tied to inflammation and hormone imbalances, both of which can be addressed with the right support.

Emotional or Mental Health Struggles

Living with chronic illness is emotionally draining. Anxiety, depression, frustration, and isolation are common among women with endometriosis. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or disconnected, reaching out to a therapist or support group can make a huge difference.

Therapists familiar with chronic pain and women’s health can offer tools to navigate emotional ups and downs. There are also many endometriosis communities—both online and in-person—that provide validation, connection, and encouragement.

You’re Doing All the “Right Things” But Still Struggling

If you’ve already made nutritional and lifestyle changes, prioritized rest, and implemented stress management but still feel like your symptoms aren’t improving, it may be time to build a care team. This can include an OB-GYN, integrative physician, pelvic floor therapist, dietitian, and mental health professional—all working together to support you.

Endometriosis is a complex, multifaceted condition, and no one should have to manage it alone. Seeking extra support is not only wise—it’s empowering.

— Written by a Registered Dietitian, committed to helping women with endometriosis access the care and support they need to thrive

Interested in learning more about how we support endometriosis, we’d love to work with you! Click this link to schedule a complimentary Meet + Greet session. We look forward to finding individualized solutions to fit your needs. 

Published: September 8th, 2025

This blog post was written by Amanda Sikkema, a dietitian at Katie Chapmon Nutrition. Amanda works with clients virtually and is accepting new clients.