What are some of the main medical treatments for endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment which focuses on symptom management. Symptoms can be managed medically through surgery to remove endometriotic tissues, and through long-term medication for hormonal management. Hormone treatment, in the form of tablets, skin patches or implants, may effectively reduce pain symptoms, but may not be appropriate in patients with infertility, or in women who are trying to become pregnant. Endometriosis-impaired fertility can be addressed by assisted reproduction techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).^[1] Although surgery isn’t considered a cure (because endometriotic tissue may return after surgery), it can reduce painful symptoms in the short term, and hormonal treatment can delay the tissue’s regrowth.^[2]