TY - JOUR
T1 - Women's experiences of endometriosis
T2 - a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research
AU - Young, Kate Jaclyn
AU - Fisher, Jane Rosamond Woodward
AU - Kirkman, Maggie
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Background Endometriosis is experienced by approximately 10 of women worldwide; it is associated with significant burden on the
woman, her family, and society. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available qualitative literature to increase our understanding of the effects of endometriosis on women?s lives.
Methods Seven social science and medical databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PsycInfo and Embase) and
Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed papers published in English of research using qualitative methods.
Results and conclusions Eighteen papers reporting 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Participant numbers ranged from 15 to 61 women, all recruited from support groups and specialised clinics. Studies were conducted in high-income, Anglophone countries. The review
identified four prominent themes: Life, Symptoms, Medical Experience, and Self. Women?s reported experiences demonstrated opportunities for enhancing current clinical practice, including improved education about
endometriosis for health professionals, the need to take a comprehensive approach to pain treatment, and initiating appropriate discussion of the impact on sex life. Significant evidence gaps were identified: there was inadequate investigation of women?s experiences of
endometriosis-associated infertility and of the impact of reduced social participation on perceived support and emotional well-being, and
limited or no inclusion of the experiences of adolescent and post-menopausal women, women from low socioeconomic backgrounds,
women who do not identify as Caucasian, and non-heterosexual women.
AB - Background Endometriosis is experienced by approximately 10 of women worldwide; it is associated with significant burden on the
woman, her family, and society. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available qualitative literature to increase our understanding of the effects of endometriosis on women?s lives.
Methods Seven social science and medical databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PsycInfo and Embase) and
Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed papers published in English of research using qualitative methods.
Results and conclusions Eighteen papers reporting 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Participant numbers ranged from 15 to 61 women, all recruited from support groups and specialised clinics. Studies were conducted in high-income, Anglophone countries. The review
identified four prominent themes: Life, Symptoms, Medical Experience, and Self. Women?s reported experiences demonstrated opportunities for enhancing current clinical practice, including improved education about
endometriosis for health professionals, the need to take a comprehensive approach to pain treatment, and initiating appropriate discussion of the impact on sex life. Significant evidence gaps were identified: there was inadequate investigation of women?s experiences of
endometriosis-associated infertility and of the impact of reduced social participation on perceived support and emotional well-being, and
limited or no inclusion of the experiences of adolescent and post-menopausal women, women from low socioeconomic backgrounds,
women who do not identify as Caucasian, and non-heterosexual women.
UR - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/41/3/225.full.pdf+html
U2 - 10.1136/jfprhc-2013-100853
DO - 10.1136/jfprhc-2013-100853
M3 - Review Article
VL - 41
SP - 225
EP - 234
JO - BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health
JF - BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health
SN - 2515-1991
IS - 3
ER -