How is endometriosis treated?

Endometriosis is tissue similar to the womb lining growing outside the womb. It can cause painful periods, ovulation pain, pain during sex and difficulty getting pregnant. Treatment is chosen around the main problem, the extent of symptoms and whether you are trying to conceive now.

Pain medicines may be used during flare-ups when safe for you. Hormonal options can reduce cyclical activity and bleeding; examples include the combined pill and hormonal coil. These options are not suitable for everyone, and a clinician should review medical history, migraine, blood-clot risk and pregnancy plans.

A treatment plan may combine medication with heat, pacing, pelvic-floor physiotherapy or support for pain during sex. If symptoms continue or endometriosis affects organs, keyhole surgery may remove visible deposits or scar tissue. Surgery is not automatically the next step, because benefits and risks depend on the location and prior procedures.

If pregnancy is a priority, tell the specialist early: some hormonal treatments prevent pregnancy while being used, so the plan may need to focus on fertility assessment or surgery. A hysterectomy is a major operation and is considered only in selected circumstances; it does not guarantee that all pain will disappear.

Arrange review when period pain stops normal activities, pain during sex persists, symptoms return despite treatment or you have trouble getting pregnant. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pelvic pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, fever or vomiting. Keep a symptom diary showing timing, severity, bleeding and medicine effects to make the review more useful.

Ask which symptom the proposed treatment targets, how long to try it, what side effects to watch for, whether it affects fertility, and when surgery or specialist referral should be considered.