How long does anti-inflammatory therapy take to work for endometriosis?

NSAIDs reduce the production of substances involved in pain and inflammation. They may be more useful when started at the first sign of a period or pain, if your clinician has advised that approach. They do not remove endometriosis deposits, and severe or persistent pain can continue despite treatment. The appropriate medicine and dose depend on your health history, stomach and kidney health, asthma, other medicines, and possible pregnancy.

Follow the label or prescription and take the medicine with food if advised. Do not combine different NSAIDs unless a clinician specifically tells you to, and check before using them with blood thinners or medicines for kidney, heart, or blood-pressure problems. Keep a record of when pain begins, when you take the medicine, and how long relief lasts. See [Endometriosis](/conditions/endometriosis/) and [Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Period Pain](/treatments/medical-gynaecology/nsaid-therapy-for-period-pain/).

Arrange a review when pain repeatedly breaks through treatment, prevents normal activities, or is changing between cycles. Seek urgent help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe allergic symptoms, sudden severe pelvic pain, fainting, or possible pregnancy with significant pain or bleeding. These signs need assessment rather than extra doses.

Ask which NSAID is suitable, when to take the first dose, the maximum safe schedule for you, which medicines to avoid, and what plan is available if pain remains severe.