Medical management of endometriosis pain

Medical management of endometriosis has evolved over the last 40 years. Most therapeutic interventions aim to manipulate the hormonal environment to mimic the natural conditions (pregnancy and menopause) that appear to relieve symptoms. Analgesic therapy is an important although poorly promoted part of therapy. Patients can be encouraged through the appropriate use of analgesics to take control of their own management and thus this is an important component of self-management. A number of hormone therapies are used; combined oestrogens and progestagens (the pill), progestagens (by a variety of routes), synthetic adrogens (danazol) and GnRH analogues (with or without addback). All medical approaches appear to be equally effective differing only in side effects.