A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that is individualized to the patient’s needs will provide the most successful, long-term outcome in endometriosis management. Often this involves receiving care from a variety of doctors and specialists to properly address a wide range of symptoms. This can include working with a gynecologist, nutritionist, integrative doctor, urologist, and many other types of healthcare providers. Research has shown several potential benefits to complementary and alternative therapies for endometriosis patients. Examples of complementary therapies include physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation. These therapies use various methods to potentially mitigate symptoms, reduce pain or stress, and aid disease management.

The majority of patients with chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis have additional related comorbidities. This preliminary data suggests that a thorough approach that addresses these additional processes that contribute to chronic pelvic pain may be a key factor in maintaining such re-operation rates lower than previously reported for patients with endometriosis.

- Surgical Management of Endometriosis: Reoperation Rates Using Multimodal and Multidisciplinary Management Techniques, An Interim Analysis

At UC San Diego's Center for Endometriosis Research and Treatment, integrative medicine accounted for 43% of the referrals made outside of the core patient-gynecologist team. Physical therapy accounted for 11% of the referrals patients received. Specialists at this center recognize and stress the importance of a multidisciplinary program that reflects the individual needs and wishes of their patients. Again and again, specialists emphasize the importance of establishing a comprehensive approach that includes speciality clinics, which are solely dedicated to treating endometriosis and include complementary modalities.

Using complementary and alternative medicine allows patients to make informed decisions about their health and to manage their chronic illness. Research has found chronically ill patients practice complementary and alternative medicines as a personal responsibility for their health and as a critical aspect of self-care management. Patients with endometriosis have turned to self-management due to frustration at the lack of effective medical treatments. Self-management may help patients with endometriosis feel empowered and have a sense of agency.

The findings confirm that complementary and alternative medicine use can be understood as a critical component of self-care management in general, and not as a rejection of conventional medicine or an unrealistic search for cure. In contrast, it represents personal responsibility for health, reframing the measures by which therapeutics are evaluated, and adopting a pragmatic approach to living as well as possible in the context of a chronic condition.

- Complementary/Alternative Medicine in Chronic Illness as Informed Self-care Decision Making

I encourage you to explore the rest of my Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Endometriosis series, which provides an in-depth look at each type of treatment:

• Diet and Nutrition
• Physical Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Integrative and Holistic Medicine
• Chinese Medicine
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• Cannabis

These complementary and alternative therapies have been recommended by specialists due to the potential benefit they may have for managing endometriosis and related symptoms. Please keep in mind the above is not an exhaustive list of therapies. Since all endometriosis patients are different, these methods may not be suitable or successful for everyone.

For the next article in the Endometriosis Series, see Endometriosis in Adolescents and Teens

Endometriosis Series

1. Endometriosis 101
2. Symptoms of Endometriosis
3. Causes of Endometriosis
4. How Endometriosis Is Diagnosed
5. Treatments for Endometriosis
6. Surgical Treatment for Endometriosis
7. Hormonal Medications for Endometriosis
8. Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Endometriosis
9. Endometriosis in Adolescents and Teens
10. Endometriosis Resources
11. Endometriosis Books