Main article: Endometriosis Overview

Updated: 16-August-2024

Treatment of Endometriosis

A cure for endometriosis is yet to be found however several treatment options, both conventional and natural, are available to relieve the symptoms and improving quality of life.

Conventional Treatment of Endometriosis

Conventional treatment options for women with endometriosis include:

• Medication
• Surgery

Of these 2 options, medication is always the first preference. However in cases where medication has failed, the doctor will recommend surgery.

Medication

Medication options for endometriosis include:

• Analgesics
• Hormonal
• Other medication (off label)

For some women, these medications can manage endometriosis related symptoms well enough that surgery is not necessary.¹

Analgesics

Analgesics (painkillers) such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen are sometimes recommended to women with endometriosis and minimal symptoms.

Ibuprofen and naproxen are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, naproxen offers a longer duration of pain relief compared to ibuprofen. Hence, naproxen is sometimes recommended to women with endometriosis who experience dysmenorrhea (period pain).² In 1985, Kauppila and Rönnberg reported that naproxen treatment provided complete or significant pain relief in approximately 80% of women with endometriosis.³ However, 20% of women are resistant to NSAIDs meaning some women will need to consider other management options.⁴ Nevertheless, women who do respond to NSAIDs report more effective control of symptoms (and reduction in lesion size) when combined with hormone therapy (Dydrogesterone).⁵ This is because NSAIDs do not cause endometriosis lesions to regress like some hormone treatments do. NSAIDs are also not without side effects, which can vary from mild (fatigue, dizziness) to serious (renal or heart failure).^6,7

Ongoing research suggests oxytocin receptor inhibitors may also be a viable option sometime in the future. Elevated oxytocin levels correlate positively with endometriosis associated pain.⁸ While animal studies report that oxytocin receptor inhibitors cause regression or complete resorption of endometroid lesions.⁹ Nevertheless, human trials are still needed to confirm these results and potential side effects.

References

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