Endometriosis – a painful disease

Abstract

Purpose of review This review looks to overview advances in endometriosis-associated pain, both in understanding the pain mechanisms involved and increasing treatment options with well designed clinical trials and meta-analyses. Recent findings Our understanding of endometriosis-associated pain has progressed from a purely nociceptive model to an awareness that both neuropathic and nociplastic mechanisms can be present for some people with endometriosis. Clinical trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated efficacy of surgical treatments and hormonal therapies. It is notable that currently, the basic science and clinical trials are not cross-fertilising. Summary Following growth in other areas of chronic pain, there have been significant advances in our understanding of endometriosis-associated pain. However, there remains lots to explore and we are currently a long way from our goal of timely personalized holistic multidisciplinary treatment for all sufferers of endometriosis-associated pain.