Treatments and surgeries

Everyone's treatment plan will be different - find what works for you.

Common treatment strategies for endometriosis are medications and surgery. However, a range of other treatments can be used in combination with these measures. Your treatment approach will vary depending on your symptoms, age and goals, and the first step is to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. There are even things you can do yourself.

View self-management tips

Medications

Medications may be tried first to see if they help to improve your symptoms. They can also be useful if you are waiting for surgery or can be used after surgery to help manage your symptoms.

Medications that suppress your period

Medications that contain hormones, such as contraceptives, limit the growth of the lining of the womb and can reduce pain and menstrual blood loss.

Average cost:Varies ($12 - $75)

Waiting time:None

Referral needed:Prescription required

Recovery time:May experience some changes in symptoms whilst body adjusts

Treatment time:May be used continuously or cyclic

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Medications for managing your period

There is a range of medications that can help manage period pain and heavy blood loss. Some people have other symptoms during their period such as constipation and bowel pain or menstrual migraines that can also be relieved with medications.

Average cost:Varies ($6 - $40)

Waiting time:None

Referral needed:Some require prescription

Recovery time:Depends on medication

Treatment time:Varies

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Surgical options

Surgery for endometriosis is very common. In Australia each year, about 34,000 surgeries are undertaken for endometriosis. For people with endometriosis, surgery may help to reduce pain and improve fertility. It is important to note that everyone has specific circumstances and these need to be discussed with your doctor. Endometriosis can be diagnosed and treated during a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). It may also be seen on imaging tests such as an MRI and ultrasound which may mean you can start medical treatments to help manage your symptoms.

How to prepare for surgery.

Laparoscopy for treatment

A surgical procedure where a thin telescope is placed into the abdomen to see the organs of the abdomen and pelvis. Areas where endometriosis may be present are removed at the time of the laparoscopy.

Average cost:Various depending on public/private

Waiting time:Varies

Referral needed:Yes, from your GP to a specialist (will last 12 months)

Recovery time:Varies depending on extent of surgery (minimum one week)

Treatment time:30 minutes - 3+ hours depending on severity

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Hysteroscopy

A very thin telescope that is passed through the cervix, and can look inside the uterus without the need for any cuts.

Average cost:Various depending on public/private

Waiting time:Varies

Referral needed:Yes, from your GP to a specialist (will last 12 months)

Recovery time:24-48 hours

Treatment time:20 minutes

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Bowel surgery

Surgery to remove endometriosis from both the pelvis and the bowel.

Average cost:Various depending on public/private

Waiting time:Varies

Referral needed:Yes, from your GP to a specialist (will last 12 months)

Recovery time:2-6 weeks depending on severity

Treatment time:60 minutes - 3+ hours depending on type

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Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) will not cure endometriosis. However, it may be offered to people who have completed their families and have related conditions such as adenomyosis (a condition similar to endometriosis that affects the muscle wall of the uterus) that have not responded to other treatments.

Average cost:Various depending on public/private

Waiting time:Varies

Referral needed:Yes, from your GP to a specialist (will last 12 months)

Recovery time:2-6 weeks depending on severity

Treatment time:60 minutes - 3+ hours depending on type

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Additional treatment options

These options can be used in addition to surgery and medications to help you manage your symptoms. What works for one person may not work for another - so it's about finding what works for you.

Doctor pointing to model of pelvic floor

Pelvic health physiotherapy

Pelvic health physiotherapists are physiotherapists who have specialised training in the management of problems involving the pelvis and everything that is inside the pelvis, including the bladder, the uterus, the bowels, and the pelvic floor muscles and nerves.

Average cost:$0 (public) / $100-$200 (private)

Waiting time:Often (public) / No (private)

Referral needed:Referral required for public

Recovery time:None

Treatment time:30-60 minutes

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a therapy that aims to help you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and learn techniques for managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Average cost:Free CBT resources online or GP referral to see a psychologist. Gap fees may apply.

Waiting time:Yes for individual psychology sessions, no for online resources

Referral needed:GP referral needed to work individually with a psychologist

Recovery time:None

Treatment time:Time devoted to CBT techniques is up to you

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Complementary therapies

There are many complementary therapies to choose from. Some of the therapies that people with endometriosis have found to be effective include acupuncture, massage and yoga.

Average cost:$50-200 (depends on the therapy)

Waiting time:1-3 weeks (depends on the therapy)

Referral needed:GP referral may be required (dependent upon the therapy and its inclusion in the chronic disease management plan)

Recovery time:Depends on the therapy

Treatment time:60-90 minutes

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that involves inserting thin needles in targeted areas of the body. It is one component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and can help manage pain symptoms.

Average cost:Around $60-100 per session

Waiting time:No waiting time (depends on practitioner)

Referral needed:No

Recovery time:None – but normally at least a couple of days between sessions.

Treatment time:Typically 45-60 minutes at least once per week

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Fertility treatments

Many people with endometriosis will conceive easily, when they choose to, and with the partner of their choice. However, if you are having difficulty getting pregnant then there are treatment options to help.

Average cost:AMH: $80-100, TVUS: $15-300

Waiting time:Not relevant

Referral needed:GP or fertility doctor

Recovery time:None

Treatment time:AMH: 5-10 minutes, TVUS: 30 minutes

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