Endometriosis is a chronic condition, which means it typically doesn’t resolve on its own. In some cases, symptoms may lessen over time, especially after menopause, when estrogen levels drop, but the underlying condition usually persists without treatment.
Even proper treatment can't completely cure endometriosis, but it can help manage the symptoms and slow their progression.
The most common treatment options include hormonal therapy, pain management, and in some cases, surgery. What works best depends on the severity of symptoms, your health goals, and whether fertility is a concern.
Ongoing care and symptom monitoring are key, no matter where you're at with endometriosis. Even when your symptoms improve, the condition may remain active at a microscopic level, which is why long-term management is often needed.
Does Endometriosis Need Treatment?
Endometriosis affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining. This tissue responds to hormonal changes and can cause inflammation, pain, and scar tissue over time.
Because of how the disease works, it usually doesn’t go away on its own, so yes, it needs treatment.
Without treatment, your symptoms can persist or worsen, and in some cases, lead to complications like infertility. Most people benefit from some form of medical management, even if their symptoms seem mild at first.
How Do You Treat It?
Treatment depends on several factors, including your symptoms, fertility goals, and age.
Options range from hormonal therapies, such as GnRH antagonists, birth control pills, or the Mirena IUD, to pain management or, in some cases, surgery.
These approaches aim to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent disease progression.
Does Endometriosis Go Away After Menopause?
Endometriosis is driven by estrogen, so symptoms often improve after menopause, when estrogen levels decline. But improvement isn’t guaranteed, and the condition doesn’t always fully go away on its own.
Endometrial tissue responds to hormonal shifts during the menstrual years, which can fuel inflammation, pain, and other symptoms. After menopause, lower estrogen levels may reduce this activity.
In many cases, this leads to less inflammation and endometriosis-related pain. However, the condition itself doesn’t always disappear, and some symptoms can persist.
Is Symptom Relief Permanent After Menopause?
Not necessarily. While many people with endometriosis report fewer symptoms after menopause, some continue to experience pain.
This can be due to scar tissue or adhesions that formed earlier in life. In some cases, menopause hormone therapy used to ease menopausal symptoms can trigger endometriosis-related discomfort again, especially if the therapy includes estrogen.
If you’ve had endometriosis and are approaching or in menopause, it’s important to speak with a provider who understands how the condition behaves across different life stages. They can help determine whether ongoing symptoms are related to endometriosis and discuss safe, effective treatment options.
What Happens if Endometriosis Is Left Untreated?
Endometriosis affects people differently, but one thing is consistent: without treatment, it often doesn’t improve and may get worse.
Left unmanaged, endometrial tissue can continue to grow, leading to inflammation, scar tissue, and adhesions.
The result can be chronic pain, especially during menstruation or intercourse, as well as complications that affect fertility and daily functioning. While it’s possible for symptoms to ebb and flow, they rarely go away entirely without some form of intervention.
Can Symptoms Improve Over Time Without Intervention?
Some people may notice temporary relief, especially with lifestyle changes like eating an anti-inflammatory diet, exercising regularly, or managing stress.
While these strategies may support overall health and reduce symptom flare-ups, they typically aren’t enough on their own to stop the progression of the disease.
For most, medical treatment is necessary to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and preserve fertility.
Does Endometriosis Get Worse Without Treatment?
Yes—endometriosis can progress if it’s not treated. The endometrial-like tissue continues to respond to hormones, which can lead to more inflammation, scarring, and nerve involvement over time.
This often results in more severe pain and increasing complications, particularly with fertility.
Are There Risks to Not Treating Endometriosis?
Untreated endometriosis can increase the risk of:
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Ovarian cysts (endometriomas)
- Chronic inflammation and pelvic organ damage
- Adhesions, where organs stick together
- Rare cases of endometriosis-associated cancer
Working with a healthcare provider with experience treating endometriosis is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan that fits your needs. If you're experiencing ongoing pelvic pain, heavy or painful periods, or fertility challenges, it's worth seeking out expert care.
Types of Endometriosis Treatment
Endometriosis is a chronic condition, but there are several treatment options that can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. The best approach depends on your symptoms, goals (like pain relief or fertility), and how the disease is affecting your daily life.
Treatment generally falls into three main categories: hormonal therapy, surgery, and pain management.
Hormonal Treatments
Because endometriosis is driven by estrogen, hormonal therapy is often a first-line treatment. These medications don’t remove the disease, but they can slow or stop the growth of endometrial-like tissue and help reduce pain.
Common options include:
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills): to regulate or stop periods and manage symptoms
- Progestin-only therapies: like the hormonal IUD (e.g., Mirena), pills, or injections
- GnRH agonists and antagonists: such as Orilissa or Lupron, which lower estrogen levels more aggressively
Not everyone tolerates hormonal treatment well, and these medications aren’t recommended if you’re trying to become pregnant.
Surgical Options
Surgery may be recommended if symptoms are severe or if hormonal treatments don’t provide enough relief. The goal is to remove or destroy endometrial-like tissue and reduce the risk of it returning.
Types of surgery include:
- Laparoscopy: a minimally invasive procedure that Dr. Brooke Winner refers to as the gold standard for both diagnosis and treatment
- Excision surgery: a more precise technique where diseased tissue is cut out rather than burned
- Hysterectomy: removal of the uterus, which may be considered in complex cases where other options haven’t worked, though it’s not a cure
Symptom relief after surgery varies, and in many cases, hormonal management is still needed afterward.
Pain Management
Endometriosis-related pain can be chronic and difficult to manage, so pain relief is often part of a broader treatment plan.
Options include:
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, which may reduce inflammation and discomfort
- Neuromodulators (such as certain antidepressants or anticonvulsants) for nerve-related pain
- Pelvic floor physical therapy, especially if muscles have become tense or dysfunctional due to chronic pelvic pain
- In some cases, nerve blocks or pain management specialists may be involved when pain is complex or doesn’t respond to standard treatments
Pain relief alone won’t stop disease progression, but it can make daily life more manageable while other treatments take effect.
Why Ongoing Care Is Important
Since endometriosis is a chronic condition, ongoing management is key to living well. This often involves:
- Regular check-ins with a healthcare provider to monitor symptoms
- Adjusting treatment plans as needed over time
- Addressing any co-occurring conditions (e.g., pelvic floor dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome)
- Seeking support for the emotional impact of endometriosis
Can Lifestyle Changes Help Endometriosis?
Medical treatment is essential, but certain lifestyle changes may also help to ease your symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Diet, Exercise, and At-Home Strategies
There’s no one-size-fits-all plan, but some habits have been shown to support symptom management for many people with endometriosis:
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and foods rich in omega-3s (like salmon or flaxseed).
- Limit processed foods and red meat: These may contribute to inflammation in some people.
- Move regularly: Low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or gentle yoga may help reduce pain and improve energy levels.
- Apply heat: A warm bath or heating pad can temporarily relieve pelvic discomfort.
- Prioritize sleep and rest: Quality sleep helps regulate hormones and supports overall health.
These strategies won’t stop the condition from progressing, but they can offer meaningful relief—especially during flares.
Managing Stress
Stress doesn’t cause endometriosis, but it can heighten the body’s pain response and make symptoms feel more intense. Managing stress isn’t just about “feeling better”—it’s part of managing a chronic condition.
Helpful techniques include:
- Mindfulness or breathing exercises
- Setting clear boundaries to avoid burnout
- Regular downtime and restorative activities
- Seeking out consistent emotional or social support
Stress management isn’t a substitute for medical care, but it can be an important part of feeling more in control day to day.
Why Ongoing Care Matters for Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms can shift over time, especially around major hormonal changes like menopause, but the condition itself rarely goes away on its own. Without treatment, it may continue to cause pain and could lead to other complications, including fertility issues or damage to pelvic organs.
The most effective way to manage your endometriosis is with a comprehensive care plan. That means working with a healthcare provider—ideally one with endometriosis expertise—to find the right mix of treatments based on your specific symptoms and health goals.
Staying informed and proactive can’t cure the condition, but it does give you a better chance of managing your symptoms, preventing progression, and maintaining long-term quality of life. Roon’s resources are here to support that kind of care: clear, thorough, and grounded in expert medical guidance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Can endometriosis go away permanently?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition. While treatment can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, the underlying disease usually doesn't go away entirely. Long-term management is often necessary.
Can endometriosis stop on its own?
Some people notice symptom relief over time, especially after menopause, when estrogen levels decline. But endometriosis rarely resolves completely without treatment, and symptoms can return or persist.
Do you have endometriosis for life?
In most cases, yes. Endometriosis is considered a long-term condition that often requires ongoing care. Treatment can help control symptoms, but there is no known cure.
Can endometriosis go away naturally?
Symptoms may improve naturally after menopause, but endometriosis typically doesn’t disappear on its own. Medical treatment—hormonal or surgical—is usually needed to manage the condition effectively.
