There is currently no cure for endometriosis.

You have ways to manage symptoms, ease pain, and enhance your daily wellbeing. Treatment can help relieve pain, slow tissue growth, and support wellbeing.

Finding what works for you can take time, but you deserve care that makes you feel heard and supported.

✔ Key takeaway

• Endometriosis is manageable but not curable.

Your treatment plan should reflect your needs, your goals, and what matters most to you.

You may choose to use one or a combination of:

• pain relief medications to manage day-to-day symptoms
• hormonal treatments to suppress your period and reduce pain
• surgery to remove or treat endometriosis tissue
• lifestyle changes to support overall health
• care from a team of health professionals.

You can ask questions, explore your options, and adjust your approach as needed. Managing endometriosis is not the same for everyone; you can shape it to fit your life.

✔ Key takeaways

• You might try a few different options before finding what works best.
• It’s okay for your treatment plan to change over time as your needs change.

Managing pain is often the first step to regaining control.

There are several types of medications your healthcare professional may discuss with you, each with different benefits and possible side effects.

Discuss any medication decisions with your healthcare professional to understand what works best for your circumstances.

These are rarely used long-term or alone and typically form part of a broader management plan.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief

Common examples of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief include ibuprofen, naproxen, and paracetamol.

These medications help with mild to moderate pain, keep you active, and support your daily routine. Side effects can include stomach upset, heartburn, or, in rare cases, kidney problems, especially if used for a long time.

OTC pain relief is often the first step in managing symptoms and can be used as needed or regularly under the guidance of a healthcare professional. These medications tend to work most effectively when taken early, at the first sign of period pain, rather than waiting until the pain has escalated

Prescription pain relief

Prescription pain relief may include stronger non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or medications like tramadol.

These are used when over-the-counter medicines are insufficient for moderate or severe pain. While effective, possible side effects include nausea, dizziness, constipation, and risk of dependency with some opioids. Prescription pain relief is usually short-term or closely monitored by your healthcare professional.

Hormonal medications (to reduce endometriosis activity)

Hormonal treatments for endometriosis include options such as:

• the combined oral contraceptive pill (when taken often)
• hormonal IUD, progestins in the form of pills, injections or implants (Implanon)
• gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists.

These treatments can reduce or stop periods, lower inflammation and the growth of endometriosis tissue, and can reduce pain for some people.

Possible side effects include mood changes, breast tenderness, bloating, hot flashes, and, with some treatments like GnRH, decreased bone density.

While hormonal treatments do not cure endometriosis, they can help you feel more in control of pain and symptoms.

Other medications are sometimes used for pain management

Other medications for endometriosis pain include antidepressants or anticonvulsants, particularly for nerve-related pain.

These medicines can help if pain involves nerves or disrupts sleep and mood.

Side effects differ by medication and may include drowsiness, dry mouth, or weight changes. These drugs are typically added to other treatments, not used alone.

✔ Key takeaways

• If your pain continues, you have the right to ask about other options. Your healthcare professionals can help find treatments that fit your needs.
• Medications can reduce pain and help you feel more in control, but they don’t treat the underlying endometriosis itself.
• You do not have to just “put up with it.” Your pain is real, and support is available.

Hormonal treatments are one option you can use to help manage endometriosis symptoms and take back control of your body.

They alter hormone patterns that trigger endometriosis tissue to grow and bleed. For many, this means less pain, fewer flare-ups, and greater stability.

The main types of hormonal treatments

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), commonly known as “the pill,” can be taken continuously to stop or reduce periods, which helps limit endometriosis activity.

This option can reduce period pain and pelvic discomfort, eases heavy or irregular bleeding, and may improve energy and daily function. Side effects can include nausea, breast tenderness, mood shifts, and bloating.

A hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) releases progestin directly into the uterus, reducing period bleeding and endometriosis-related inflammation.

This option can greatly reduce period pain and pelvic discomfort and may make periods very light or stop them altogether.

The hormonal IUD is long-acting and lasts for years without daily pills. Potential side effects include initial irregular spotting, insertion cramps, or hormonal effects such as mood changes or acne.

Other hormone-based treatments for endometriosis include progestin-only pills, injections and implants, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists.

These medications can suppress the growth of endometriosis tissue and reduce pain and may be especially helpful for people with severe or persistent symptoms that have not responded to other treatments.

Potential side effects include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased bone density (mainly with GnRH drugs), mood changes, and fatigue. Some treatments require “add-back” therapy to protect bone health.

✔ Key takeaways

• Hormonal treatments don’t cure endometriosis, but they can give you more control over your pain, periods, and daily life.
• Each option has different benefits and possible side effects.
• What works for someone else may not be right for you. Your choice matters.
• Talking openly with your healthcare professionals about your goals and preferences can help you find a treatment plan that supports your wellbeing.

Not everyone with endometriosis needs surgery, and for many people, it is not the first step.

Your healthcare professionals may suggest surgery if:

• your pain is severe or isn’t improving with medications or hormonal treatments
• there’s uncertainty about your diagnosis
• endometriosis is affecting organs or fertility.

Surgery can help you take control of your symptoms and improve daily functioning. Even though it isn’t a permanent cure, it can provide relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life.

You have a right to explore all options and decide what’s best for you.

✔ Key takeaways

• Surgery may be an option to help you feel more in control of your symptoms, but it’s not the only solution.
• Discuss your options with your healthcare professional to understand what’s best for you.

It’s understandable that you might wonder why surgery is offered if your endometriosis might come back afterwards.

Even though surgery is not a permanent cure, it can give you real relief and a greater sense of control over your body.

Surgery can help you:

• reduce pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments
• remove or treat endometriosis tissue to improve organ function
• support fertility goals
• confirm your diagnosis if needed.

Many people find that removing endometriosis tissue helps them feel more comfortable, take part in daily activities, and feel more in control, even if the relief lasts for months or years instead of being permanent.

Having surgical management can often make ongoing treatment options more effective and give long lasting beneficial effects. Patients are usually encouraged to have hormonal management after surgery to sustain the symptom relieving effects.

✔ Key takeaways

• Surgery is about giving you agency over your symptoms and quality of life, even if the condition can return.

If you choose surgery, the most common procedure is a laparoscopy, also known as keyhole surgery.

During this procedure, your doctor or your surgeon will use a small camera to look inside your pelvis. They will aim to remove or treat endometriosis tissue simultaneously.

Surgery for endometriosis is usually safe, but like any medical procedure, there are some risks. Knowing about these risks can help you feel more in control and make informed choices.

Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery, your overall health, and whether multiple areas are treated. Repeat surgeries can also increase risks, such as adhesion formation or a longer recovery.

Surgery can help reduce symptoms for many people.

At the same time, it’s important to know that endometriosis can return, and you may need ongoing support afterwards.

Having this information can help you make a decision that feels informed and right for you.

✔ Key takeaways

• Surgery can provide significant relief and help you regain control over your symptoms, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks.
• Discussing the potential benefits and risks of surgery with your specialist will help you make the right decision for you.

Food is something you can explore as part of managing your symptoms and taking back control of your body.

While there is no single diet that can cure endometriosis, making changes that support your overall health can help you feel better, reduce inflammation, and manage day-to-day symptoms.

How food can help

Some people find that eating more anti-inflammatory foods—like leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds—can help reduce general inflammation and may ease pelvic discomfort.

Limiting highly processed foods, excess salt, or foods that trigger digestive upset can reduce bloating and abdominal discomfort.

A diet rich in whole foods, fibre, and healthy fats can support hormonal balance, which may help with endometriosis-related pain.

Eating regular meals with a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats can help maintain energy levels, improve mood, and support overall wellbeing.

Keeping a food diary can help you notice which foods make your symptoms worse, allowing you to make adjustments that feel right for your body.

Safety and support

You deserve clear and honest information, so be careful with diets or supplements that promise quick fixes or a cure. Making big changes to your diet can affect your health if not done properly.

A dietitian experienced in endometriosis can help you make safe, realistic, and sustainable changes that fit your lifestyle.

✔ Key takeaways

• It’s important to be careful with strict diets or advice that promises a cure.
• If you want support, a dietitian can help you make safe, realistic changes.

Yes, lifestyle changes can be an important part of managing your symptoms and feeling more in control of your body and daily life.

While these changes don’t cure endometriosis, they can reduce pain, improve energy, and make symptoms easier to manage.

How lifestyle changes can help

Gentle, regular movement such as walking, swimming, yoga, or pilates can help reduce pelvic pain, improve circulation, and support overall wellbeing. Exercise also helps with stress management, which can influence pain perception.

Prioritising good sleep supports hormone balance, reduces fatigue, and helps your body recover from pain and inflammation. Small changes, like maintaining a consistent sleep routine or creating a calm bedtime environment, can make a difference.

Stress can make pain feel worse. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, or connecting with supportive friends can help you feel more in control and reduce the impact of stress on your symptoms.

Specialist physiotherapists can guide exercises to relax pelvic floor muscles, reduce tension, and improve pain management. This can give you tools to actively manage your body's discomfort.

Keeping a diary of pain, activity, diet, and periods can help you notice patterns. This insight gives you more control and helps you and your health team make better-informed decisions.

Safety and support

These lifestyle changes work best when they are tailored to you. You do not need to do everything at once. Small, steady changes can make a real difference. A multi-disciplinary healthcare team including your GP, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, or endometriosis specialist can help you create a plan that fits your needs.

✔ Key takeaways

• Lifestyle changes can help you reduce pain, improve energy, and feel more in control of your symptoms.
• Small, sustainable changes are often better than drastic overhauls.
• Professional guidance from a physiotherapist or health practitioner can make these strategies safer and more effective.

You do not have to manage endometriosis alone. Building a support network can help you feel understood, take control of your symptoms, and improve your quality of life.

Who might be in your support network

Specialists who can help reduce pain, relax pelvic floor muscles, and teach exercises to improve daily comfort.

Psychologists, counsellors, or therapists can help manage stress, anxiety, or the emotional impact of chronic pain.

Multidisciplinary programs often include specialists in pain medicine, physiotherapy, and lifestyle strategies to help you manage chronic pain.

Talking to others who understand your experience can reduce isolation and offer practical tips for coping day to day.

How to find the right support for you

• Endometriosis Australia has a directory of specialists.
• True clinics can also provide guides to local physiotherapists, dieticians, and other professionals experienced in endometriosis care.

• They can recommend pelvic health physiotherapists, psychologists, and pain specialists who are familiar with endometriosis.

• Look for practitioners trained in women’s health, chronic pain, or endometriosis-specific care.
• Ask about their experience with endometriosis patients and their approach to shared decision-making.

• Online forums, social media groups, or local support groups can help you connect with others, share experiences, and learn practical coping strategies.
• Choose moderated, reliable groups to ensure safe, accurate information.

• Your support network should reflect your goals and comfort. It’s okay to change or expand your team as your needs evolve.

✔ Key takeaways

• You do not have to manage endometriosis alone. Support is available, and building the right team can help you feel more in control of your body, symptoms, and daily life.
• Start by asking your healthcare professional, exploring trusted organisations, and connecting with peer support. Your care should fit your needs, not the other way around.