Endometriosis affects about 1 in every 10 women of reproductive age worldwide.1 If you’ve been diagnosed with or suspect you may have endometriosis, you might be wondering, “What’s next?” While there’s no cure for endometriosis, many treatment options can help reduce pain and improve your quality of life. One effective option is pelvic floor therapy for endometriosis.
This treatment has shown promising results in managing symptoms and improving overall well-being. Keep reading to better understand endometriosis and your pelvic floor, standard treatment recommendations, and how to get help for your pain.
Understanding the pelvic floor therapy and endometriosis connection
Endometriosis and your pelvic floor muscles are closely connected. Many women with endometriosis will have pelvic floor dysfunction because of long-lasting pain. And the endometriosis lesions can affect the organs that these muscles support.
*It’s important to know that pelvic floor physical therapy can’t cure endometriosis. But it can be a really effective treatment option for endo symptoms and find the care team that will help you get your life back.
Chronic pelvic pain related to endometriosis can change the way muscles and tissues function in our bodies. Muscles and tissues may become overactive, leading to spasms and dysfunction.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to address these muscle issues and help to restore proper function to the affected muscles, tissues, and pelvic organs.
The benefits of pelvic floor therapy for endometriosis
Pelvic floor therapy for endometriosis can help address common endo symptoms, including:
- Pain with intercourse
- Constipation
- Low back and hip pain
- General pelvic pain
- Other pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms
Pelvic floor physical therapists help manage endo symptoms through:
- Comprehensive examination: Reviewing medical history, assessing pelvic floor muscle function, and symptoms related to your bowel, bladder, and sexual function during your initial therapy session. This helps develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your individual needs and goals.
- Myofascial release: Manual techniques for internal and external muscles, connective tissues, and scar tissues, which may cause pain and limited pelvic floor muscle function.
- Internal trigger point release: Targeting specific pelvic floor muscles affecting urinary, bowel, or sexual function, or reproducing any of your pain symptoms.
- Patient education: Teaching proper bowel and bladder habits, and providing information about endometriosis and treatment options.
- Dry needling: Relieving pain and improving mobility for muscles tight from endo.
Medical treatments for endometriosis
Although there isn’t a cure for endometriosis, doctors have many treatment options to help you manage your symptoms.
Medications
Here are some of the common medications used to help manage endometriosis symptoms:2
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen can help with pain.
- Hormone treatments: These include birth control pills and other hormones like progestins that may impact endometriosis pain and your menstrual cycle.
- GnRH agonists and antagonists: These medicines block hormones that make endometriosis pain worse.
Surgical options
- Laparoscopy: This is a type of surgery where doctors use small cuts and a camera to see inside the body. They can remove endometriosis growths this way.3
- Excision: This is when doctors cut out the endometriosis tissue. Many experts think this is the best surgical option.2
- Hysterectomy: This means removing the uterus. It’s only done in severe cases and doesn’t always stop the pain.2
New research
Scientists are learning that endometriosis is more complex than we thought. It’s not just a problem in the pelvis, but can affect your whole body. This means experts need to think about treating it in new ways, including:3
- Looking at how endometriosis affects the brain and nerves.
- Studying how gut bacteria might play a role.
- Exploring new ways to manage pain, like special education programs.
How to find an endo specialist
It’s important to see a doctor who knows a lot about endometriosis. Here are some good ways to find one:
- Check websites like the Endometriosis Foundation of America or iCareBetter. They have education and search tools to find endo-savvy providers in your area.
- Ask your current healthcare team for local specialists that they would recommend.
- Look for teaching hospitals or academic medical centers. They often have experienced endometriosis teams.4
- Join online endo-focused groups and forums, which may have valuable insight into specialists and treatment options that have been helpful for others.
- Ask your pelvic physical therapist. Highly educated in endometriosis and pelvic health, pelvic PTs are usually a wealth of both resources and referrals.
When you’re picking a doctor, make sure they:
- Have experience treating patients with endometriosis
- Are willing to collaborate with your healthcare team
- Match your communication and learning style
It might take some time to find the right doctor, but don’t give up. Getting help from someone who really understands endometriosis can make a big difference in how you feel.
Team approach
Endometriosis affects more than just one part of your body. That’s why it’s good to have a team of different doctors and experts, like:
- OBGYNs
- Endometriosis specialists
- Pelvic health physical therapists
- Pain doctors
- Mental health professionals
Together we can help with all parts of endometriosis, from pain to your overall health.
If you think you may have endometriosis, speak with your physician, and check in with a pelvic floor therapist.
Resources
- World Health Organization. (2023). Endometriosis.
- Kalaitzopoulos, D. R., et. al. (2021). Treatment of endometriosis: a review with comparison of 8 guidelines. BMC Women’s Health.
- Coxon, L., et. al. (2024). Current developments in endometriosis-associated pain. Cell Rep Med.
- Johnson, E.T. (nd). Finding an endometriosis specialist. Endometriosis.org.
