International Journal of Women's Health

Pain Relief and Care for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disorder that is associated with pelvic pain symptoms and affects approximately 5% of reproductive-aged women. Symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, and fatigue. The tremendous negative consequences of pelvic pain on people’s psychological health and sexuality have been highlighted in a huge body of research, and it is of critical importance to expand our new therapeutic approaches for the disease: medical, surgical, and alternative approaches. This Article Collection addresses new insights, challenges, and available knowledge on treatment of symptomatic endometriosis, focusing on the subjective experience of endometriosis-related pain and its care (from a psychological and a sexological perspective) and covering a wide range of approaches to assessing and treating endometriosis-related pain.