The symptoms of endometriosis range from mild to severe. These symptoms can include bloating, gastrointestinal problems, bleeding, and sometimes infertility. But 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,” said one member of MyEndometriosisTeam. “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 is what lines a person’s uterus. When tissue similar to endometrial tissue grows in locations outside of the uterus, it’s called endometriosis. This tissue may grow in areas such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the lining of the pelvis. Less commonly, it might grow on the intestines, bladder, and other organs. This causes pain, particularly during menstruation or sexual activity.

The best way to prevent pain due to endometriosis is typically to treat the underlying cause. There are several treatment options for endometriosis, including surgery and different types of hormonal therapies.

Surgery

Conservative surgery to remove endometriosis tissue may help relieve your symptoms. For severe endometriosis that hasn’t improved 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 at the cost of fertility and normal estrogen production. “I’m two years post-total hysterectomy. Saved my life,” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said.

Hormone Therapy

Endometriosis relies on estrogen, so reducing estrogen levels may help control symptoms. One way to do this is by taking hormone therapy medication, also called hormonal treatments.

Hormonal birth control, taken orally, by injection, or by intrauterine device, can control symptoms in many people with endometriosis. Other hormonal therapies include gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists or GnRH agonists to decrease the body’s production of estrogen.

These treatments may help reduce pain and other symptoms by addressing the underlying causes of endometriosis. However, other treatments directly address pain.

Other Pain Management Options for Endometriosis

Pain prevention is important, but often you need relief from existing pain. Pain relief can come in many forms. Over-the-counter and prescription medications, physical therapy, and complementary therapies can all help you control pain and improve your 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 over-the-counter 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 (sold as brands such as Tylenol), if you can’t take NSAIDs. “I’m getting better,” one member said. “I only take Tylenol 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 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.

Nonopioid Analgesics

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

Another class of drugs helps premenopausal people (those who are still getting a menstrual cycle) with endometriosis by controlling heavy menstrual bleeding. These drugs may help control moderate to severe endometriosis pain.

Antidepressants

Prescription antidepressants are sometimes used off-label — outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved use — to treat chronic pain. Different classes of antidepressants can be used to treat endometriosis pain.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may be prescribed for endometriosis pain. Other antidepressants, such as norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), are also sometimes used to help treat endometriosis pain.

Physical Therapy and TENS

Physical therapy, or physiotherapy, can help treat and prevent endometriosis pain by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Many physical therapy exercises, as well as treatments such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), can be performed at home.

TENS uses a small device and electrodes attached to the skin to reduce pain through electrical stimulation. “My TENS unit helps a lot — gave me back my life!” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses small needles placed into the skin by a trained acupuncturist at very specific points on the body. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, and it may help reduce endometriosis pain in some people. “It was a lifesaver for me!” one MyEndometriosisTeam member said about acupuncture. “You just have to find an acupuncturist who has treated endometriosis successfully before.”

Other Remedies

Sometimes, simple solutions are effective. Using a heating pad or hot water bottle can help relieve menstrual cramping. These methods work by relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow. Getting massages, sleeping well, and practicing yoga can often help relieve stress and pain. Even light exercise may help manage pain by increasing endorphins. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about what types of pain-relieving treatments might be best for you.

Endometriosis Pain Is Treatable

There are many ways to treat endometriosis pain, but no universal treatment can help everyone. Try different ways to treat your pain and find out what works for you.

Talk to your gynecology provider about what you’ve tried to ease your pain. They’ll likely have insights and recommendations for your particular situation. Most importantly, don’t give up. If you aren’t getting the pain relief you need, don’t stop searching until you find what helps you live the best life that you can.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyEndometriosisTeam is the social network for people with endometriosis and their loved ones. On MyEndometriosisTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with endometriosis.

What helps relieve your endometriosis pain symptoms? Did your healthcare provider help you develop a pain treatment plan, or did you discover pain management remedies on your own? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.