Endometriosis
Hormonal treatments to relieve pain and other symptoms.
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Endometriosis is a long-term condition, but there’s medication to help with the symptoms.
Answer a few questions about your health, and get treatment recommendations from our experts. Order endometriosis treatment online and it’ll be delivered to your door when you need it.
Endometriosis is a painful, and often emotionally draining, condition that affects 10% of women globally. It happens when cells usually found in the uterus are found growing in other areas such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. During menstruation the tissue that has grown fills with blood and ruptures this can cause painful symptoms and heavy periods.
There’s no cure for endometriosis but there is a range of different treatments available to help manage its symptoms.
Hormonal treatments and painkillers can be used. In some cases surgery may be considered to remove endometrial tissue from the uterus and surrounding area.
Endometriosis can affect any woman of reproductive age.
Whilst a definitive cause of endometriosis hasn’t been identified, some studies have suggested that there are some possible risk factors associated with its development.
There’s some evidence to suggest that it could be genetic, but a specific gene has not been identified.
Various risk factors have been identified including early periods, late menopause, smoking and a low BMI.
There are also some reports of endometriosis affecting post-menopausal women, but this is rare. If you notice symptoms of endometriosis but have already been through the menopause and have stopped having periods, it’s a good idea to talk to a clinician.
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological disorders experienced by women and is prevalent across the globe. It’s frequently underdiagnosed in teenagers and younger women. When access to medical treatment and lack of female equality in some cultures are taken into account, the global figure of 10% prevalence can seem low.
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When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
No one exactly knows what causes endometriosis. The main symptom of abnormal cell growth in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and pelvic area has led medical professionals to suggest that retrograde menstruation could be a possible cause. Retrograde menstruation refers to menstrual blood and endometrial cells flowing out of the uterus and through the fallopian tubes. The cells then stick to organs in the pelvic cavity where they cause painful symptoms, especially during menstruation.
There are a range of other causes that have been suggested by scientists including genetics, immune disorders and the movement of endometrial cells through the lymphatic system.
Whilst further research into the causes behind endometriosis is needed, there are a range of treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms associated with it.
There are a range of symptoms associated with endometriosis. You may only experience one or two symptoms and their severity can differ from woman to woman. On average, it can take approximately eight years for a woman in the UK to get a diagnosis and access to treatment, [ and this is often due to some of the symptoms being close to those associated with routine menstruation.
Although endometriosis is usually associated with pelvic pain and heavy periods, some women don’t report these symptoms and may only be diagnosed with endometriosis when they have trouble trying to conceive. Not everyone with endometriosis will experience fertility problems but if you have concerns about your fertility you should speak to a clinician.
Endometriosis symptoms can include:
There is a lack of understanding surrounding the cause of endometriosis, so it’s difficult to say for certain that it leads to other problems. But there are other conditions that it’s thought to be closely associated with.
Although many women with endometriosis are able to conceive naturally, it’s estimated that between thirty to fifty percent of women with endometriosis encounter problems with fertility when trying to conceive.
Some women with endometriosis develop cysts called endometriomas. These tend to form on the ovaries or around the fallopian tubes. They can fill with blood and cause pain and cramping in the pelvis. If they rupture they can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Endometriosis can impact other areas of your life. Fertility problems, chronic pain and problems with sexual intercourse can contribute to stress in relationships.
The pain caused by endometriosis can be severe and greatly affect your quality of life and mental health. That’s why it’s important to know that there are treatment options available and support from dedicated charities too.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
The first line of treatment for endometriosis is usually hormonal treatment, and this tends to be the contraceptive pill or an intrauterine device (IUD) containing progestogens.
When used long term, these treatments thin the lining of the uterus so that periods usually become shorter and lighter. They also have the same effect on the endometrial tissue, so that it doesn’t continue to grow and bleed. Progestogens also help to reduce the production of endometrial tissue, so that it’s less likely to find its way out of the uterus and attach itself to somewhere it shouldn’t be.
Common hormonal treatments for endometriosis include Provera, Zalkya and Norethisterone.
It’s also common for women to be prescribed painkillers to help manage the pain caused by endometriosis.
The best treatment for endometriosis is the one that works for you and helps you to feel the most comfortable. Relieving the pain of mild endometriosis can be achieved with a combination of hormonal treatment and painkillers.
However, if you’re trying to get pregnant, you may want to opt out of hormonal treatments as they often offer contraceptive protection too.
Where endometriosis is severe or has been left undiagnosed you may need to have surgery to remove the endometrial tissue. This is often done laparoscopically, and depending on the severity of your endometriosis, you may need to have this done more than once. Following removal of the tissue, you’ll likely be advised to start hormonal treatment to prevent the tissue from growing again and to manage the pain caused by the lesions left behind.
Talking to a clinician will help you to decide on the best course of treatment for you.
Endometriosis symptoms won’t resolve on their own. If you have symptoms you should speak to a medical professional as they may suggest some investigations to determine the best course of action for your treatment.
Untreated endometriosis can cause pain that can have a negative impact on your quality of life, mental health and relationships.
It’s also possible for endometrial cystic lesions to form in and around the uterus which may require monitoring or treatment. Endometriosis can also have a negative impact on your fertility.
If you’ve got endometriosis, it’s important to have regular check ups with a clinician to ensure that your endometriosis is not having a negative impact on any other aspect of your health.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Progestin tablet for endometriosis, heavy periods and period delay too.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Priorities for Endometriosis Research: Recommendations From an International Consensus Workshop. Reproductive Sciences, 16(4), pp.335–346.
Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis. Obstetrics and Gynecology, [online] 64(2), pp.151–154.
Endometriosis in the UK: time for change. (2020).
Endometriosis and infertility. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, [online] 27(8), pp.441–447.
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