Coping with Endometriosis pain

Having woken up this morning with what I generally call a "bad Endo day" I thought to myself; why don't you share some coping tips/tricks you use to make the day slightly better?

So here they are.

I generally find that an electric heating pad works for helping relax those tight muscles and keep the bad spasms away. It helps if you can do a breathing technique to control the breath so you don't tense up when a spasm does occur. I have one similar to this, it has three setting switches off automatically after 90 mins so as to avoid over-heating and I haven't had any burns like some people get from them. It's normally a good idea to keep the pad over clothing such as a light t-shirt or pyjama top though as having it too close to the skin can irritate it.

Now just because Endometriosis is associated with the pelvic area does not mean that women don't experience pain in other parts of the body. For example, I personally experience lower back pain, shoulder pain and leg cramping that comes from my Endo.

A good tip I've used for leg cramping is to elevate them normally with a few pillows or cushions and try get the legs up slightly higher than the heart. This aids blood flow and helps reduce the cramping. Massage is also very beneficial for muscular tension but you should always check with your G.P or medical professional as some people are contra-indicated for a number of different reasons. But, if you are able to have massage then you may find it to be very helpful with easing tension and creating a state of relaxation and well-being.

If like me, you are open to alternative medicine or herbal remedies the following have proven useful for coping with Endometriosis;

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Combined with traditional herbal medicine many women have gotten relief from this treatment. Acumpuncture practitioners insert sterile needles into specific parts of the body to treat a number of disorders. The specific points in the body that are used vary from person to person but common points used in the treatment of Endometriosis include the ears, wrists, feet, legs, back and abdomen. The needles are usually left in for twenty to forty-five minutes. Prescribed Chinese herbal remedies are individual to each person depending on your level of pain/discomfort and where you are being physically affected.

Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years. When incorporated with massage it helps ease muscle tension. A chronic condition causes stress, anxiety and with any long-term pain muscles tense up. Some good essential oils used to help aid relaxation include Lavender, Geranium, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage and Orange.


T.E.N.S ( Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is becoming more common amongst chronic pain sufferers. It is a drug-free method of pain relief that has been known to help in a wide variety of muscle and joint ailments.

You can have a T.E.N.S session under the supervision of a health care provider although many people are buying their own equipment for use at home as this method has proved to be safe, generally easy to use and non-invasive. Many pharmacies stock these machines along with some well-known catalogue retailers.

T.E.N.S machines start from around €30.00 which isn't that bad when you think of the amount you probably spend on painkillers. Before you use a T.E.N.S machine check with your G.P to make sure it is suitable for you. People will pacemakers for example cannot use these machines so it's always best to check first before beginning any new therapy or treatment.

Some studies have shown that Calendula oil pictured above) has proven to be effective in relieving pain associated with Endometriosis. The oil is applied topically and has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy. Well known for it's analgesic properties, Calendula is the ideal remedy for pelvic pain and personally I know it to work, soothe the skin and generally give a sense of well-being.

All of the above do help you to cope with the pain but you also need emotional support when dealing with any kind of chronic condition. You're not really going to wake up one day and the Endo will have disappeared like a thief in the night but you can learn to live with it and have a quality of life. The big thing I find is to stay positive throughout, whether you're undergoing treatment, surgery or having a really bad day. Find something positive about your life and focus on that. It really does help.


Other alternative treatments include Herbalism, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Before you begin a treatment check with a medical professional. Seek out an accredited practitioner, massage therapist or ask your G.P for his/her recommendations.