endometriosis treatment
Endometriosis can wreck your day—heavy pain, bad cramps, and tiredness that won’t quit. The good news: there are real options that help most people. This page gives clear, practical steps so you can talk to your doctor with confidence and try treatments that fit your life.
Medical treatments you can try first
Start with pain control. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen often cut cramping and inflammation. Take them early in a flare and follow label directions or your doctor’s advice.
Hormonal treatments aim to reduce or stop the menstrual cycle so endometriosis lesions calm down. Common choices: combined birth control pills (taken continuously or cyclically), progestin-only pills, and the levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena). These work well for many people and are easy to maintain.
For stronger control, doctors may prescribe GnRH agonists (like leuprolide) or antagonists (like elagolix). These put you into a temporary low-estrogen state and can shrink lesions. They’re effective but can cause hot flashes and bone density loss, so your doctor may add “add-back” hormones to reduce side effects.
If you’re trying to avoid hormones or need quick relief, some specialists use nerve blocks or targeted injections for pelvic pain. Pelvic physiotherapy and guided pain management are underrated but can make daily life better when combined with medical care.
Surgery, fertility, and long-term planning
Laparoscopic surgery is the go-to when scans or symptoms show deep disease or when conservative treatments fail. An experienced surgeon will excise (cut out) lesions rather than simply burn them—excision lowers recurrence and improves pain for many people.
Thinking about pregnancy? Endometriosis can affect fertility, but many people conceive with help. If trying to get pregnant, ask for a fertility referral early. Sometimes surgery to remove lesions improves chances; sometimes assisted reproduction (IVF) is the fastest route.
Hysterectomy (removing the uterus) is a last resort and only for people who have finished childbearing and have persistent symptoms despite other treatments. Even then, removing ovaries can have big hormonal consequences, so weigh pros and cons carefully.
Practical tips: keep a pain and cycle diary, track meds and side effects, and get second opinions if needed. Try small lifestyle changes—regular exercise, basic pelvic floor work, and a low-inflammatory diet—to support medical care. Consider acupuncture or counseling for chronic pain coping.
If pain limits daily life or painkillers aren’t cutting it, see a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis. Early, targeted care gives you the best shot at better quality of life.
