Help-Seeking for Endometriosis-related Dyspareunia Interview Datasets

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Endometriosis is a chronic condition that significantly affects women’s lives, yet its impact on sexual health, particularly dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)—remains under-researched. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Australian women who have sought help for endometriosis-related dyspareunia, with the aim of understanding how personal, relational, and healthcare system factors shape their help-seeking journeys.

Using a feminist lens and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women to examine how they made sense of their experiences within healthcare settings. Analysis identified five key themes: Health System Complexities, Normalisation of Pain, Emotional Impacts, Self-Coping Strategies, and Effective Forms of Support. By centring women’s voices, this research highlights critical gaps in care and provides insight to inform more responsive, compassionate, and effective healthcare services for women experiencing endometriosis-related dyspareunia.