Complementary therapies

Modern medical treatments for endometriosis may be ineffective or their side-effects could be intolerable for some people. Hence, they find using complementary therapies in addition to their regular medications to be more effective in managing endometriosis-related symptoms. View research

There are many complementary therapies to choose from. Studies have shown that some of the therapies found to be effective for pain management and general well-being include osteopathy, yoga, dietary supplements such as fish oil and psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage, homeopathy, mindfulness, breathing exercises and changes to diet.

Step 1: Choose a complementary therapy of your choice

A vast range of complementary therapies are available. If you don’t know where to start, have a look at some of the complementary therapies mentioned above, which are reported to be effective by people who have used them. Once you’ve decided upon a complementary therapy, you can make an appointment with a qualified practitioner of that therapy. Always remember to consult your doctor before trying a complementary therapy.

Step 2: Check with your GP or private health fund 

Endometriosis is eligible to be managed under a chronic disease management plan. A few sessions of selected complementary therapies may be available at a subsidised price under a chronic disease management plan. Talk to your GP to check if the chosen therapy is covered under your plan. Alternatively, your private health fund (if you have one) may cover a percentage of the costs, depending upon the type of cover you have.  

Step 3: Trial and error

Bear in mind that not one complementary therapy suits all. What works for one may not work for someone else. If a particular complementary therapy does not work for you, don’t be discouraged. You may have to try several before you find out which complementary therapy works best for you.