Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for pain in the lower part of your belly. The doctors think you have "endometriosis." This is a condition in which cells that normally grow in the uterus grow outside the uterus instead. This leads to inflammation, which can cause belly pain and trouble getting pregnant.
You might have belly pain before, during, or between your periods, during or after sex, or when urinating or having a bowel movement.
The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is for a doctor to do surgery and look for the cells outside your uterus. But based on your symptoms, the doctors think you might have it.
The doctors might have given you medicines for pain, for birth control, or to stop your periods. Take all your medicines exactly as instructed.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Have heavy vaginal bleeding
●Still have pain in your lower belly or back after taking pain medicine
●Continue to have pain during sex, or when urinating or having bowel movement
●Have new or worsening symptoms
