Myth-busting endometriosis this Endometriosis Awareness Month

Fiction. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to begin treatment for endometriosis.  

And because diagnosis can take a while, it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible.

The type of treatment that’s right for you will depend on your symptoms, where your endometriosis is, and whether you’re trying to get pregnant.  
Treatment options include hormonal contraceptives – including some types of pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs) – pain medication and surgery. Some people also find that things like pelvic physiotherapy, changing what you eat, and complementary approaches can help manage their symptoms, alongside conventional medical treatment. 

Fact.

We don’t know exactly why endometriosis happens.  But we’re learning more all the time, with researchers exploring several strong theories. We do know that if people in your family have endo, it’s more likely you will too. Sometimes people don’t know they have it, and they think their symptoms are normal. This can make it tricky for you to understand whether your pain is normal or not.  

The truth is – even if you've been told your period pain is normal – if it stops you from living your life, it’s worth speaking to a nurse or doctor.  

Read more about why endo happens. 

Fact.

Some people with endometriosis find it difficult to become hapū. But many people with endometriosis are still able to get pregnant naturally. 

There are things you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant. This includes lifestyle changes, fertility treatments like IVF, and surgery to remove endometriosis.  

Read more about endometriosis and fertility on Endometriosis NZ 

Fiction.

Surgery is one way to treat endometriosis. But it’s not the only way. 

Your treatment will depend on your symptoms, where your endo is, and if you want to have children.  

Endometriosis can be treated with:  

• The combined oral contraceptive pill, taken continuously
• Some types of progestogen-only contraceptive pill
• Other hormonal contraceptives, such as Depo Provera  
• A hormonal intra uterine device (IUD), such as Mirena  
• Pain medication  
• Surgery. This could involve cutting away the endometriosis lesions (excision). Or vaporising the abnormal tissue (ablation).

Book an appointment with us to talk about which treatment is right for you.

Endometriosis New Zealand has more information on how to manage your endometriosis yourself,   

Fiction.

Around 10% of girls, women, and people assigned female at birth in Aotearoa New Zealand will have endometriosis.

Endometriosis is often very painful. It can be so bad that it stops you from living your life. If this is you, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to talk to us about it.

But some people with endometriosis don’t have any pain or other symptoms. They can sometimes discover they have it when they have another medical procedure or surgery. This is less common. 

Fiction.

Endometriosis pain is often worse during or around the time of your period. But you can also experience pain at other times.

Some people experience pain during or after sex, during or around ovulation, or when they poo. 

Fiction.

Endometriosis pain is often worse during or around the time of your period. But you can also experience pain at other times.

And there are other symptoms of endometriosis, including tiredness, bowel problems, bladder problems, difficulty getting pregnant, pain during or after sex, and pain going to the toilet.  

Fiction.

Often people with undiagnosed endometriosis think their period pain is normal. But if it’s stopping you from living your life, it's a good idea to get help. Because whether it’s endometriosis or not, any cause of painful periods needs to be managed. That’s where we come in. Book an appointment to talk to a nurse or doctor about your options.