From Holding On to Holding Together: Couples’ Shared Experiences of Life with Endometriosis

This study explored how women with endometriosis and their partners experience the condition as a shared part of everyday life. Ten couples were interviewed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. One overarching theme emerged: Uncertainty, Endurance, and Resilience Among Women and Their Partners. Endometriosis affected intimacy, fertility, social life, and professional identity for both partners, often straining relationships but also fostering strength through communication and shared adaptation. Couples described a need for shared information, recognition, and involvement in care to support joint understanding, coping. The findings highlight endometriosis as a relational challenge and emphasize dyadic coping and healthcare support.