Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can impact physical and emotional health. Your Pharmacist can play a key role in helping manage symptoms, understand medications and explore supportive therapies.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic lining. This tissue responds to hormonal cycles and can cause inflammation, pain, fatigue, bloating, nausea or bowel symptoms and sometimes fertility issues.
Medication Management: What to Know
There’s currently no cure for endometriosis, but a combination of medical and surgical treatments can help manage symptoms.
1. Pain Management
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen or Naproxen) are commonly recommended to reduce inflammation and pain. Take them with food and before the pain starts if your cycles are predictable. If they are not effective in recommended doses, speak to your Doctor about prescription-strength pain relief.
2. Hormonal Therapies
Endometriosis is hormone-sensitive, so treatments often aim to reduce or suppress estrogen levels. This may include Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills used continuously to skip periods and reduce pain flares; Progestogen-only options to thin the endometrial lining and reduce inflammation or GnRH analogues to induce a temporary menopause-like state to drastically lower estrogen.
Before starting any medication, you can always request a data sheet and discuss benefits and side effects with your Doctor or Pharmacist. Hormonal therapies are best taken consistently, so having a reminder system can be helpful.
Beyond Medications: Lifestyle & Support
Many women find that incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into their diet can help with symptoms. Consider reducing processed foods, sugar, and caffeine; including omega-3 fatty acids (from fish or flaxseeds) and increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A probiotic may reduce bloating or constipation.
Some supplements that may help to relieve symptoms include:
• Magnesium – to ease cramping and improve sleep.
• Vitamin D – low levels are linked to chronic pain and immune imbalance.
• Curcumin (from turmeric) – for anti-inflammatory effects.
Manage stress with techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or gentle exercise and practice good sleep hygiene for good rest.
Track your symptoms with a period tracker or app that lets you log pain, mood, bowel symptoms, and fatigue. This helps your care team identify patterns and treatment effects.
Whether it’s reviewing medication options, helping manage side effects, or just listening, your pharmacist can be a vital resource. You can also find further support at Endometriosis New Zealand.