An Exploratory Look at the Experiences of Women with Endometriosis in China

Abstract

Overview
The article focuses on the experiences of Chinese endometriosis patients that live in China to understand the relationship between their cultural identity and the disease. The paper is composed of two parts: the first part is a synthesis of the medical research that provides the most current understanding of the disease, and the second part is an analysis of a survey conducted in a sample of 53 Chinese patients who are currently living in China that are diagnosed with endometriosis. The author’s main motivation for conducting this research is his experience with his mother, who has been diagnosed with endometriosis for 5 years.

The online questionnaire revealed in this sample that surgery, particularly chocolate cyst removal, is the most common type of treatment. When being asked suggestions from their experiences, the majority of the patients encourage early treatment and warn not to normalize pain. They strive to speak against Chinese traditional culture, which encourages women to endure pain such as dysmenorrhea and childbirth as the natural part of womanhood.