Endometriose in Balans
Centre of expertise in the hospital
Endometriosis is a benign, chronic condition which affects 10% of all women of childbearing age, with an estimated 400,000 women in the Netherlands being affected. In women with endometriosis, tissue resembling the endometrium also grows outside the womb. As a result, various organs may be affected. The symptoms of endometriosis differ from woman to woman. These range through (abdominal) pain, fertility problems, to problems urinating or emptying the bowels (Click here for more information about the potential symptoms). This makes the disease difficult to recognise for doctors. Although endometriosis often causes symptoms within 2 years after the first menstruation, it takes an average of 8 years for a woman to have a diagnosis.
Endometriosis in Balance is a centre of expertise for women with deeply invasive endometriosis and offers a holistic approach to the disease and its complaints. We work in a multi specialty team involving endometriosis surgeons, bowel surgeons, urologists, radiologists, pain specialists, fertility specialists, clinical psychologist, physiotherapist, dietician and specialist nurses. Working together with patients we are able to offer all available treatments for endometriosis whatever the needs of the woman and whatever the severity of the disease.
Endometriose in Balans believes that the treatment must always be led by the individual woman with our team acting as her adviser and that she is, at all times, the controller of her treatment. To accomplish this, we use the principal of ‘shared decision making’.
Although operational for a relatively short time, Endometriose in Balans is recognised within the Netherlands with STZ status (the only clinic in the country with this status which recognises a high level of specialisation suitable for taking tertiary referrals) and in March, 2020 received the approbation of the European Endometriosis League being accredited as one of a small number of specialist endometriosis services in Europe deemed to be of highest level of clinical and academic excellence.
By bringing all nessacary pofessionals together in 1 centre, we garantee a very high quality of healthcare
Forum
Endometriose in Balance offers an online platform for information exchange with fellow sufferers (?) and professionals. The multidisciplinary team is also an active participant on this forum.
Dr. Smeets has a personal approach in which she also remains very businesslike and factual. Very pleasant and professional as far as I am concerned. - Iris (29)