Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation and, in some cases, fertility difficulties. It affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK and takes an average of 8 years to diagnose. Medical treatment is the primary intervention, but complementary therapies play a meaningful adjunct role in managing pain and supporting wellbeing.
See therapies that may helpEndometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus — commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder and peritoneum. Like the uterine lining, this tissue responds to hormonal cycles — thickening, breaking down and bleeding — but the blood has nowhere to escape, causing inflammation, adhesions and scar tissue.
The cause is not fully understood. Endometriosis is associated with an inflammatory response and immune system involvement, and there is a strong genetic component. It is not caused by lifestyle factors and is not a result of anything a woman has done.
Endometriosis has a profound impact on quality of life — affecting relationships, fertility, work and mental health — yet remains significantly underdiagnosed due to normalisation of painful periods and limited awareness. The average diagnostic delay in the UK is 8 years.
Symptoms of endometriosis vary in severity and do not always correlate with disease extent. Common symptoms include:
Medical management of endometriosis is essential — hormonal treatments and surgery are the primary interventions. Complementary therapies offer meaningful additional support for symptom management and wellbeing:
If you have severe period pain, pelvic pain or any of the symptoms above, see your GP and specifically mention endometriosis. Push for referral to a gynaecologist if symptoms are not adequately addressed — endometriosis requires specialist diagnosis (typically laparoscopy) and management.
Endometriosis UK is an excellent resource offering information, a helpline and a specialist directory. For complementary support, look specifically for practitioners experienced with endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain.
Showing 12 therapies linked to Endometriosis support (adjunct).
| Therapy | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitian |
strong
|
A dietitian can tailor an anti-inflammatory eating plan to help ease the bloating, gut symptoms and pain flares common in endometriosis. |
| Nutritional Therapist |
strong
|
Nutritional therapy aims to reduce inflammatory triggers in the diet, supporting symptom control alongside medical management of endometriosis. |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapist |
moderate
|
CBT helps you reframe the thoughts and behaviours around persistent pelvic pain, improving coping and daily functioning with endometriosis. |
| Counsellor |
moderate
|
Counselling offers space to process the impact of chronic pain, fertility worries and the emotional toll that endometriosis can carry. |
| EMDR Practitioner |
moderate
|
EMDR can help where painful medical experiences or trauma have become distressing, easing the emotional load of living with endometriosis. |
| Herbal Medicine Practitioner |
moderate
|
Some find herbal approaches supportive for menstrual pain, though evidence in endometriosis is limited and it is not a substitute for medical care. |
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner |
moderate
|
Manual lymphatic drainage may help ease pelvic and abdominal swelling, offering gentle complementary relief alongside proper endometriosis treatment. |
| Massage Therapist |
moderate
|
Massage can relax tense pelvic and abdominal muscles, offering comfort during flares as a supportive adjunct to endometriosis care. |
| Mindfulness Practitioner |
moderate
|
Mindfulness practice can lower the stress response that amplifies pelvic pain, helping you live more steadily with endometriosis day to day. |
| Osteopath |
moderate
|
Osteopathy uses gentle techniques to address pelvic and lower-back tension that often accompanies the pain of endometriosis. |
| Physiotherapist |
moderate
|
Pelvic-floor physiotherapy targets muscle dysfunction and pain patterns, an evidence-based way to improve function in endometriosis. |
| Psychotherapist |
moderate
|
Psychotherapy explores how long-term pain and its effects shape mood and identity, building resilience for living with endometriosis. |
No — around 70% of women with endometriosis conceive naturally. However, endometriosis is associated with reduced fertility and is found in around 30–50% of women with fertility difficulties. The impact on fertility depends on the severity and location of disease. Early medical management can help preserve fertility options.
Several factors contribute: painful periods are widely normalised ('it's just bad cramps'), symptoms overlap with IBS and other conditions, and definitive diagnosis requires laparoscopy rather than imaging. Increased awareness is reducing diagnostic delay, but the average in the UK remains around 8 years.
There is growing evidence that an anti-inflammatory diet — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, and low in red meat and processed foods — may modestly reduce endometriosis-associated inflammation and symptoms. While diet is not a replacement for medical treatment, it is a reasonable complementary strategy with general health benefits.
There is currently no cure for endometriosis. Hormonal treatments can suppress disease activity and reduce symptoms, and surgery can remove endometrial deposits. However, endometriosis can recur after both hormonal treatment and surgery. Management focuses on controlling symptoms, preserving fertility where desired, and maintaining quality of life.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy addresses the muscular, fascial and nerve dysfunction in the pelvic region that frequently develops alongside endometriosis — including protective muscle guarding, spasm and hypersensitivity. A specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist can significantly reduce dyspareunia, bladder and bowel symptoms, and pelvic pain through targeted assessment and treatment.