Anti-inflammatory drugs. These medicines are typically the first line of defense, to decrease inflammation in organs affected by endometriosis.
Hormone therapy. Hormone therapy drugs used to suppress periods are helpful for some in stemming endometriosis pain. Estrogen can slow the growth of the tissue outside of the uterus and control pain related to periods and flare-ups.
Neuropathic pain medications. These pain medicines target the nerves that transmit pain to the brain. These drugs are sometimes used to treat mental health problems.
Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD creams, pills and oil droplets have become widely available as pain relievers for people with endometriosis. Most haven’t been tested, but some patients and doctors say CBD offers relief with relatively few side effects.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Some patients find relief through a mild electrical current passed through leads attached to their muscles. The practice relaxes tissues and decreases pain, Riley says.
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Yoga and mindfulness meditation. Holistic Eastern medicine techniques are offering some benefits for women with endometriosis. Yoga specially geared for endometriosis patients can decrease pain and stress, as can mindfulness meditation involving breathing exercises.
Diet. Some patients find relief if they alter their diet to avoid foods that trigger GI reactions, as these reactions can cause pain flares related to endometriosis. “Some patients are cutting out dairy, red meat, processed food and foods high in sugar content,” Riley adds.
One last note: While opioids are an option, doctors are hesitant to prescribe them due to the risk of addiction and misuse, Riley notes.
“We do have some patients that are treated with them for chronic pain,” Riley says, despite the risks.
Another problem is that opioids deaden the mind “so you don’t care about the pain,” rather than reducing inflammation or targeting what’s actually causing it, Riley adds.