Living with endometriosis: The perspective of male partners

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of partners of women with endometriosis. Methods: Sixteen male partners completed questionnaires pertaining to the impact of endometriosis. Three male partners participated in additional semistructured interviews. Results: Thematic analysis of combined questionnaire and interview data revealed several common emotional themes relating to living with endometriosis. These strong emotions included low mood, anxiety, and powerlessness and contributed to a grief-like process much like that experienced by their female partners, with some also reporting acceptance and relationship growth. The clinical significance of these findings for systemically effective management of endometriosis will be discussed. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.