Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review

Abstract Background Endometriosis is a severe gynaecological disease marked by the formation of endometrial-like growth beyond the uterus, which causes severe pelvic pain, infertility, and a reduced standard of life. Despite the progress that has been made in understanding its aetiology, the treatme...

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Main Authors: Ebunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani, Lydia Oluwatoyin Ajayi, Oladimeji Samson Tijani, Oyedayo Phillips Akano, Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-04-01
Series:Middle East Fertility Society Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00221-0
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author Ebunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani
Lydia Oluwatoyin Ajayi
Oladimeji Samson Tijani
Oyedayo Phillips Akano
Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi
author_facet Ebunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani
Lydia Oluwatoyin Ajayi
Oladimeji Samson Tijani
Oyedayo Phillips Akano
Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi
author_sort Ebunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Endometriosis is a severe gynaecological disease marked by the formation of endometrial-like growth beyond the uterus, which causes severe pelvic pain, infertility, and a reduced standard of life. Despite the progress that has been made in understanding its aetiology, the treatment remains difficult due to the disease's complicated structure and diversity in different patient responses. Main body. This narrative review examines both present and emerging therapeutics for endometriosis-related pain, focusing on pharmaceutical, surgical, and complementary treatment options. Current pharmacological treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), hormone therapy, and analgesics, provide symptom alleviation but are frequently limited due to side effects and long-term effectiveness issues. Surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy and nerve ablation, provide alternatives, although recurrence rates remain high. Additionally, complementary therapies such as acupuncture and physical therapy are gaining recognition for their role in pain management. The review also explores emerging therapies, including novel pharmacological approaches like selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs), aromatase inhibitors, and gene-based therapies. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques and regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapies, are also discussed. Conclusion An essential comparison of these methods of therapy highlights the need for personalised approaches and further research to address variation of the disease. The review concludes with recommendations for subsequent studies, emphasising the need for long-term studies, real-world data, and innovations in pain management that integrate multifaceted therapies. This analysis aims to provide healthcare providers with a clearer understanding of the changing landscape of endometriosis treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-a4814bdebaeb48d08cfc5d065c41b5692025-08-20T03:18:27ZengSpringerOpenMiddle East Fertility Society Journal2090-32512025-04-0130111410.1186/s43043-025-00221-0Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a reviewEbunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani0Lydia Oluwatoyin Ajayi1Oladimeji Samson Tijani2Oyedayo Phillips Akano3Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi4Anchor Biomed Research InstituteDepartment of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyDepartment of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyDepartment of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Babcock UniversityAnchor Biomed Research InstituteAbstract Background Endometriosis is a severe gynaecological disease marked by the formation of endometrial-like growth beyond the uterus, which causes severe pelvic pain, infertility, and a reduced standard of life. Despite the progress that has been made in understanding its aetiology, the treatment remains difficult due to the disease's complicated structure and diversity in different patient responses. Main body. This narrative review examines both present and emerging therapeutics for endometriosis-related pain, focusing on pharmaceutical, surgical, and complementary treatment options. Current pharmacological treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), hormone therapy, and analgesics, provide symptom alleviation but are frequently limited due to side effects and long-term effectiveness issues. Surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy and nerve ablation, provide alternatives, although recurrence rates remain high. Additionally, complementary therapies such as acupuncture and physical therapy are gaining recognition for their role in pain management. The review also explores emerging therapies, including novel pharmacological approaches like selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs), aromatase inhibitors, and gene-based therapies. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques and regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapies, are also discussed. Conclusion An essential comparison of these methods of therapy highlights the need for personalised approaches and further research to address variation of the disease. The review concludes with recommendations for subsequent studies, emphasising the need for long-term studies, real-world data, and innovations in pain management that integrate multifaceted therapies. This analysis aims to provide healthcare providers with a clearer understanding of the changing landscape of endometriosis treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00221-0EndometriosisPain managementPharmaceutical therapiesDeep infiltrating endometriosisSurgical treatmentsComplementary therapies
spellingShingle Ebunoluwa Oluwatimileyin Tijani
Lydia Oluwatoyin Ajayi
Oladimeji Samson Tijani
Oyedayo Phillips Akano
Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi
Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
Middle East Fertility Society Journal
Endometriosis
Pain management
Pharmaceutical therapies
Deep infiltrating endometriosis
Surgical treatments
Complementary therapies
title Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
title_full Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
title_fullStr Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
title_full_unstemmed Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
title_short Current and emerging therapies for endometriosis-associated pain: a review
title_sort current and emerging therapies for endometriosis associated pain a review
topic Endometriosis
Pain management
Pharmaceutical therapies
Deep infiltrating endometriosis
Surgical treatments
Complementary therapies
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00221-0
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