Treatments for endometriosis
Traditional medicine currently offers only two ways to treat endometriosis: hormonal therapy
and/or surgery. Note that pain management drugs are considered complimentary therapies
because they have no effect on the endometriosis lesions.
Hormonal therapy may include birth control pills, progestins, a class of drugs known as GnRH
agonists or GnRH antagonists, and danazol. One of the drawbacks of hormonal therapy is that
whatever pain relief that is achieved tends to be only temporary for many girls and women.
Additionally, pain relief is sometimes not achieved through this treatment method.
Most doctors agree that laparoscopic surgery is the only definitive way to diagnose
endometriosis. Sometimes the disease can be diagnosed and treated in the same procedure. The
success of surgery depends greatly on the skill of the surgeon and the thoroughness of the
surgery. The degree of pain relief following surgery varies from woman to woman. Additionally,
women with severe endometriosis often require repeat surgeries. Today, most endometriosis
surgery is being done through the laparoscope, although a full abdominal incision called a
laparotomy may still be required for extensive disease or bowel resections. Although women
with endometriosis are often told that hysterectomy is the definitive solution for
endometriosis, the disease can recur even after hysterectomy.
Depending on a womans goals and the extent of her symptoms, her doctor may not recommend
immediate treatment. Sometimes a wait and see approach is advised.
To provide holistic treatment to women and girls with endometriosis, a team of medical
professionals may be involved in providing care, including physiotherapists (physical
therapists), mental health professionals, and nutritionists. All of these disciplines can
play an important role in providing an individualised treatment plan for a woman or girl with
endometriosis.
Physiotherapists (physical therapists)
Physiotherapists can develop a programme of exercise and relaxation techniques designed to
help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, reduce pain, and manage stress and anxiety. After
surgery, rehabilitation in the form of gentle exercises, yoga, or Pilates can help the body
get back into shape by strengthening compromised abdominal and back muscles.
Mental health professionals
Endometriosis affects more than just the physical body. It often affects women and girls in
profound emotional ways as well. Psychologists can play an important role by helping women
and girls cope with the feelings of confusion, disbelief, and frustration that often
accompany this disease.
Nutritionists
The correct balance of daily nutrients are essential for women and girls with endometriosis.
Proper nutrition helps improves a womans general health, increases her ability to tolerate
medical treatments, increases her ability to deal with potential side effects of treatment,
increases her energy, and enhances her ability to think clearly. Nutritionists can work with
women and girls with endometriosis to put together an appropriate diet plan.
Many women with endometriosis have had success incorporating complementary or alternative
therapies into their treatment plan. Given the chronic and stubborn nature of endometriosis,
there may be times when it is beneficial to explore therapies beyond the medical mainstream.
These therapies may include homeopathy, osteopathy, herbs, and Traditional Chinese Medicine,
among others. These therapies can work well alongside traditional medical management.
Despite the fact that there is currently no overwhelming medical evidence to support one
specific type of endometriosis treatment over another, some clinicians do not present a full
range of options to patients or allow them to be involved in their treatment decisions.
Considering this baffling and potentially long-term disease process, it is important that a
long-term, individualised, holistic treatment plan be worked out between the woman and her
doctor.
