ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and describe the experiences of healthcare professionals
when meeting women with symptoms that might indicate endometriosis.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 gynecologists, six general practitioners
and nine midwives working at one university hospital, one central hospital, one private gynecology clinic
and five healthcare centers in south-east Sweden. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim
and analyzed using qualitative conventional content analysis.
Results: Three clusters were identified: the corroborating encounter, the normal variation of menstruation
cycles, and the suspicion of endometriosis. The healthcare professionals tried tomake a corroborating
encounter by acknowledging the woman, taking time to listen, and giving an explanation for the problems.
Healthcare professionals had different ways to determine what was normal as regards menstrual
pain, ovulation pain and dyspareunia. They also needed to have the competence to act and react when
the symptoms indicated endometriosis.
Conclusions: Meetingwomen with symptoms that might indicate endometriosis is challenging and demands
a certain level of competence from healthcare professionals. Sometimes the symptoms are camouflaged
as “normal” menstruation pain, making it hard to satisfy the needs of this patient group.