Endometriosis & Possible Treatments

Endometriosis is a chronic health condition meaning it can’t be cured. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for when it comes to treating and managing Endometriosis symptoms – the complication is finding the one that works for the individual patient, as each body will respond very differently. 

Often treatment involves some of/all of the following: 

• Laparoscopic, adhesion and/or excision surgery
• Hormonal contraceptives and medically induced menopause
• Pain relief and pain management medication
• Dietary changes to avoid inflammatory food and drink
• Pelvic floor physiotherapy

It takes time to find the right path to treatment and diagnosis is currently confirmed through surgery – usually a laparoscopy.  Unfortunately, the treatment delays myself and fellow Endometriosis patients have experienced as a result of Covid-19 will have drastically impacted people’s health. Although surgery will not provide a cure, it can greatly relieve symptoms for many people and so the impact of the pandemic on surgery timelines is detrimental. My surgery was delayed by eight months, which given the strain on the NHS is understandable, yet the impact on the deterioration of my health was inevitable. More sustainable interim treatments between surgery, such as pelvic health physiotherapy, are needed – yet this is still a niche specialism and as a result there are not many pelvic floor physios attached to UK hospitals, resulting in a lack of referrals.

Although treatment for Endometriosis has not advanced much in the last 10-15 years, the research and treatment landscape of Endometriosis is due for change within the next five years (the latter timeline confirmed in discussion with my Endometriosis surgeon, who collaborates with researchers at The University of Edinburgh). Thanks to the activism of charities such as Endometriosis UK, research being conducted through funding bodies such as the European Commission and the launch of the UK Government inquiry, led by the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group), who will investigate the challenges facing those with Endometriosis; the future of care is looking hopeful. 

I will be discussing treatment possibilities and symptom management more in depth in future blog posts, but in the interim and for more information on treating Endometriosis visit the NHS website.

[Image description: Camilla is sat wearing a purple cardigan and striped white + pink t-shirt. She is holding a square sign coloured yellow that reads ‘you can’t cure Endometriosis but you can treat it’. She is smiling and has brown hair ties up in a bun]