The symptoms of endometriosis range from mild to severe and can include bloating, gastrointestinal (stomach-related) problems, bleeding, and sometimes infertility. However, the primary symptom is chronic or recurring pelvic pain.

“I’m having deep and dull pain inside my pelvis and my stomach — it feels heavy,” one member of MyEndometriosisTeam said. “My vagina walls hurt. I’m in severe pain right now.”

If you’re living with endometriosis pain, relief is available. Read on to discover your options.

Pain Relief Through Endometriosis Treatment

Endometrial tissue lines the inside of the uterus. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, most often on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or lining of the pelvis. In some cases, it can also affect the intestines, bladder, or other organs. Endometriosis can lead to inflammation, scarring, and pain, often during menstruation or sexual activity.

The most effective way to reduce pain from endometriosis is usually to treat the condition itself. Common treatment options for endometriosis include surgery and different types of hormonal therapy.

Surgery

Conservative surgery to remove endometriosis tissue may help relieve symptoms. For severe endometriosis that doesn’t improve with other treatments, hysterectomy with oophorectomy may be an option. During this procedure, a surgeon removes the uterus and ovaries.

A hysterectomy for endometriosis may reduce symptoms such as pain but results in loss of fertility and, if the ovaries are removed, reduced estrogen production. “I’m two years post-total hysterectomy — saved my life,” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said.

However, symptoms may come back after a hysterectomy, and you might need additional surgery.

Hormone Therapy

Endometriosis is driven by estrogen, so lowering estrogen levels may help manage symptoms. One way to do this is with hormone therapy, also called hormonal treatment.

Hormonal birth control — taken orally, by injection, or by an intrauterine device (IUD) — can help control symptoms for many people with endometriosis. Other hormonal treatments include gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists or GnRH agonists, which reduce the body’s production of estrogen.

These treatments may help ease pain and other symptoms by addressing the underlying causes of endometriosis. Other treatments focus more directly on pain relief.

Other Pain Management Options for Endometriosis

Pain prevention is important, but many people also need relief from existing pain. Pain relief can come in many forms. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications, physical therapy, and complementary therapies can all help manage pain and improve quality of life.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are pain relievers that can often help treat endometriosis pain. Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs for severe pain or suggest an OTC option for mild pain relief.

“I use heating pads and take NSAIDs and drink a ton of warm water,” one member said.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Your doctor may recommend other over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, if you can’t take NSAIDs. “I’m getting better,” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said. “I only take acetaminophen for the pain as I need it. It seems to get a lot better each day.”

Opioid Analgesics

Opioid analgesics are prescription pain relievers that work by changing how nerve cells transmit pain signals to the brain. Opioids are very effective against acute pain, but these drugs generally shouldn’t be used to treat chronic pain because they have a high addictive potential. Long-term opioid use can also have side effects such as constipation and increased sensitivity to pain.

Non-Opioid Analgesics

Your doctor may recommend pain relievers that aren’t opioids. Some work by numbing pain at the nerves, so you feel less pain. These medications are called precision analgesics and may be used during endometriosis flare-ups or to manage pain after surgery.

Another class of drugs helps premenopausal people with endometriosis by reducing heavy menstrual bleeding. These drugs may also help manage moderate to severe endometriosis pain.

Antidepressants

Prescription antidepressants are sometimes used off-label — outside U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved use — to help treat chronic pain. Several types of antidepressants may be used to manage endometriosis pain. These include tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Other antidepressants, such as norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), are also sometimes used to help control endometriosis pain.

Physical Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Physical therapy, or physiotherapy, can help treat and prevent endometriosis pain by improving pelvic floor muscle function, including relaxation, coordination, and strength. Many exercises can be done at home.

Additionally, a treatment called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be administered at home. TENS uses a small device and electrodes placed on the skin to help reduce pain by sending mild electrical signals. “My TENS unit helps a lot — gave me back my life!” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves placing very thin needles into the skin at specific points by a trained acupuncturist. This approach has been used for thousands of years and may help reduce endometriosis pain for some people, as one MyEndometriosisTeam member reported: “It was a lifesaver for me! You just have to find an acupuncturist who has treated endometriosis successfully before.”

Other Remedies

Sometimes, simple steps can offer temporary pain relief, including the following:

• Using a heating pad or hot water bottle may help relieve menstrual cramps by relaxing muscles and improving blood flow.
• Getting massages, sleeping well, and practicing yoga can help reduce stress and pain.
• Light exercise may help manage pain by boosting endorphins.

Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about which pain-relieving treatments might be best for you.

Endometriosis Pain Is Treatable

There are many ways to treat endometriosis pain, but no single treatment works for everyone. Trying different options can help you find what works for you.

Talk with your gynecology provider about what you’ve tried to manage your pain. They may have insights and recommendations based on your situation. Most importantly, don’t give up. If you aren’t getting the pain relief you need, keep advocating for yourself until you find what helps you live your best life.

Join the Conversation

On MyEndometriosisTeam, people share their experiences with endometriosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What helps relieve your endometriosis pain symptoms? Did your healthcare provider help you develop a pain treatment plan, or did you find pain management remedies on your own? Let others know in the comments below.