Living With Endometriosis: Treatment Options and Lifestyle Tips that Can Help
Now that we've covered the basics of what endometriosis is and what causes it (check out Part 1 here), let’s talk about what comes next: treatment options, pain management strategies, and lifestyle tools that can support you if you’re living with endometriosis.
Treatment Options for Endometriosis
There’s currently no cure for endometriosis, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting your individual goals—whether that’s reducing pain, improving fertility, or supporting gut and hormonal health.
Talk with your healthcare provider to explore the best approach for your specific situation. Here’s an overview of the most common options:
Medications
Because endometrial tissue is influenced by hormones, many medications work by adjusting your hormone levels.
Hormonal birth control: If pregnancy isn’t a goal right now, your doctor may recommend hormonal birth control to suppress ovulation. You might only have a few periods per year—or none at all—depending on the method. This is often the first step in managing symptoms and is available as a daily pill or a longer-term injection.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists: If you're hoping to get pregnant, your doctor might suggest these medications. They temporarily stop hormone production and halt ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Once the medication is stopped, your cycle returns, and you may have an increased chance of conceiving.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) can help with endometriosis-related pain. These work differently for everyone, so you may need to experiment with what works best for your body.
Surgical Options
Surgery may be an option if other treatments aren’t effective. However, it’s important to know that even surgical removal of endometrial implants doesn't guarantee permanent relief.
Laparoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure is used both to diagnose and treat endo. A small camera is inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to locate and remove endometrial implants.
Laparotomy: A more invasive surgery involving a larger abdominal incision. It’s rarely used but may be considered in complex cases.
Hysterectomy: This involves removing the uterus, and sometimes the ovaries. While it can stop periods and hormone cycles, it’s generally considered a last resort, especially if you're younger or haven’t completed your family.
Lifestyle and Complementary Treatments
Medications and surgery aren’t the only options. Many people living with endometriosis find significant relief from lifestyle changes and complementary therapies—especially when used alongside medical treatment.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
That’s where we come in! Pelvic floor PT has been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life for those with endometriosis. Our treatments may include:
Soft tissue work
Breathing coordination
Gentle movement strategies
Pain management techniques
Tailored exercise programs
We’re here to support your body throughout your entire cycle.
Nutrition and Diet
What you eat can influence hormone levels and inflammation—two key players in endo symptoms.
Lowering dietary fat and increasing fiber: Studies show this can reduce circulating estrogen levels by up to 25%. That’s significant when you consider that endometriosis is estrogen-sensitive.
Lean protein choices: Red meat has been linked to higher estradiol levels, which could worsen symptoms. Try incorporating leaner proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.
Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with inflammation. Supplementation may be helpful, especially if you have an autoimmune component to your endometriosis.
Helpful Products for Managing Endometriosis Symptoms
In addition to treatments and therapies, some products can make a big difference in your daily life with endo. From heating pads to period underwear to supportive supplements, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite products to help ease endometriosis symptoms.
These tools aren’t a cure, but they can help you feel more supported, comfortable, and in control—especially when used alongside your personalized care plan.
Tuning Into Your Body
Endometriosis symptoms can vary from person to person, but some of the most common ones include:
Painful periods
Chronic pelvic pain
Pain with intercourse
Gastrointestinal issues
Heavy bleeding
Fatigue
If you’ve ever wondered whether your periods are too painful or heavy, or if your symptoms are “normal,” we encourage you to read our blog on What Is a Normal Period, Really?. Understanding what’s typical—and what’s not—can be a helpful step in advocating for the care you deserve.
Find What Works for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to endometriosis treatment. Your journey might include a combination of medication, physical therapy, nutrition changes, and emotional support—and it’s okay if that evolves over time.
The most important thing? Work with a team who listens and supports your goals—whether that’s minimizing pain, improving your quality of life, or planning for pregnancy.
If you’d like to explore how pelvic floor PT could help with your endometriosis symptoms, we’re here to help. To take the first step in finding relief, request an appointment with one of our pelvic floor physical therapists.