Endometriosis & PCOS — Force Field Fact Sheet (Draft)

What are Endometriosis and PCOS?Diagnosis

Two of the most common, most under-recognized gynecologic conditions. Endometriosis affects ~10% of women; tissue similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, dyspareunia, infertility. PCOS affects ~8-13%; hyperandrogenism + irregular cycles drive infertility, metabolic syndrome, T2D, CV risk, mood disorders. Average diagnostic delay for endometriosis is 7-10 years.

Endometriosis — dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, infertility. Treatment: NSAIDs, hormonal therapy, GnRH analogs/antagonists, laparoscopic excision, multidisciplinary pain management.
PCOS diagnosis (Rotterdam) — 2 of 3: oligo/anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries.
PCOS modern management — lifestyle, combined hormonal contraceptives, metformin, spironolactone, GLP-1 agonists, ovulation induction.

Endometriosis: insist on excision surgery, not just ablationKnow your plan

Laparoscopic excision by an experienced advanced endometriosis surgeon has substantially better long-term outcomes than ablation/cautery alone.

Endometriosis center referral.
Pre-op imaging.
Multimodal pain management.
Fertility planning early.
Adenomyosis often coexists.

Your daily Force FieldLive It

Track symptoms + cycle in diary or app.
Hormonal therapy on schedule.
Pelvic floor PT.
Endometriosis excision specialist for surgical management.
For PCOS: lifestyle is medicine — weight loss, exercise, Mediterranean/lower-carb eating.
Metformin/spironolactone/GLP-1 if prescribed.
Annual screening: A1C, lipids, BP, depression/anxiety.
Mental health support.
Sleep apnea screening (especially PCOS).

Red flags — call nowAction

Call 911 immediately for: chest pain, pressure, tightness, or burning lasting more than a few minutes — especially if it spreads to the arm, jaw, neck, or back; severe shortness of breath at rest; sudden cold sweat with chest discomfort; nausea or lightheadedness with chest discomfort; sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, or facial droop (these are stroke signs, often related). Do not drive yourself.

Call your clinic the same day for: new chest discomfort with exertion that goes away with rest (stable pelvic pain worth evaluating); a missed dose of antiplatelet or maintenance therapy; medication side effects (muscle aches, bleeding, GI symptoms).
Bring up at next visit: any change in exercise tolerance, lipid follow-up timing, BP log review, smoking-cessation support, depression screening, sleep concerns.

Companion This condition assets

The full Prepared Patient program for This condition includes:

Engagement Screener 8-step Journey Disease Advocate Bingo Provider Hub Health Passport