When in the doctor's office, a person living with a chronic disease can sometimes feel like they are a diagnosis, not an individual. In this video, Dr. Orady reviews the necessity for doctors to create a more human connection with patients to make them feel more wholly understood.

Dr. Orady recommends fellow doctors follow the acronym FIFE when engaging with their patients. FIFE stands for feelings, ideas, fears, and expectations. Have you had been able to share your FIFE with your endometriosis specialist or any healthcare provider?

Do you have a question that you'd like Dr. Orady to answer? Want guidance on what to ask your doctor regarding endometriosis? Post in comments below.

Dr. Mona Orady is currently the director of robotic surgery services at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, California, practicing minimally invasive gynecological surgery at Dignity Medical Foundation. Her expertise is in complex surgery, menstrual disorders, fibroids, and endometriosis. She also cares for more specialized gynecology patients with pelvic pain, dyspareunia, vulvar disorders, and pediatric gynecological conditions. Read full bio.

Here are some recent conversations from members on MyEndometriosisTeam:

• "Have a new OBGYN. Really like her. My former doctor moved and recommended her. I like that she takes my symptoms seriously and is kind. That means so much."
• "Doctors never gave me any info before being let home and have to wait 4 weeks for the letter from the surgeon to find out more. This has made me feel quite down and depressed the last week as with no info my mind wanders..."
• "Had another doctors appointment today. Trying to find a doctor that will listen is hard. Today I was told he had no clue why I was even there... He totally discounted everything I said and bypassed every time I said the pain I was in."

Here are some question and answer threads on MyEndometriosisTeam:

• Anyone of my endo sisters ever wanted to pull out your hair because your OB/GYN minimized your pain?
• What to I have to do to find a good doctor?
• Have you ever dealt with a doctor that didn't hear you out on your problems? Did they ever misdiagnose or believe your pain wasn't as bad as you made it out to be?