Hi,
This is the first issue of The EndoDad Letter. A lot of you found me through EndoDad, and until now the only thing you could subscribe to was a letter mostly about leadership. You came for something else, so here it is.
Every Thursday you'll get three things: one thing to use, one thing worth knowing, and one short piece to pass on to the people around you.
One thing to use
The next time you hear "let's wait and see," ask this: "What are we waiting to see, how long, and what happens if it doesn't get better?"
That's a request for a plan, and a good clinician will have one. If the plan is a symptom diary and a follow-up in eight weeks, write down the date. If there's no plan, that tells you something about whether this is the right clinician.
If you can, bring someone with you. In the UK's largest survey this year, one woman said doctors only really listened once she started bringing her partner. I've read that sentence about thirty times. It's unfair, and it's real, so use it.
One thing worth knowing
In March 2026, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed the rule on diagnosing endometriosis. A clinical diagnosis, from your symptoms and an exam, is now enough to start treatment. Surgery no longer stands between you and care.
Most clinics haven't caught up, because the change didn't make the news. A fair way to bring it up: "Under the March ACOG guidance, can treatment start now while we work out the rest?"
At Heritage Health, the community health centers I run, we're acting on it now. We're training our providers on the new guidance, hiring a team focused on women's health, and partnering with others to raise awareness.
Pass this on
Forward this part to whoever comes with you to appointments.
Your job in the exam room is to make her harder to dismiss. Take notes, add what you've seen at home in one sentence, and ask whether her questions got answered before anyone stands up. Don't answer the questions the doctor asked her.
The full version is What To Do At Your Wife's Endometriosis Appointment. It works for fathers too.
Next week: the first hour of a flare.
Believe her the first time.
Mike
Nothing in this letter is medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, work with a qualified clinician.
Sources: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 11, "Diagnosis of Endometriosis," Obstetrics & Gynecology, March 2026. Endometriosis UK, "The State of Endometriosis Care in the UK," 2 March 2026 (partner quote, p. 5).