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Endometriosis

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Current status: No cure yet

A condition in which cells like those lining the womb grow in other places, most often around the womb, the ovaries and the lining of the pelvis.1 It can cause very painful or heavy periods, pain in the lower tummy, pain during sex, and trouble getting pregnant.1 There is no cure, but painkillers, hormone medicines and sometimes surgery help manage the symptoms.1 It affects about 1 in 10 women of child-bearing age around the world.2

Read more about Endometriosis
Where research stands todayUpdated 12 Nov 2026
Trial-stage treatments you can join–open now
in United StatesStudies published in the last 12 months20156 in people · 109 in animals · 36 in the labSupport organisations6organisations
in United States
Offer tissue or dataGive a sample or your health data to research.Treatments outside United StatesWhere it is offered, and who pays.“Miracle cure” fact checkerSaw a cure online? Check it before you pay.

Trial-stage treatments and research studies you can join

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Where treatment stands

There is no cure for endometriosis yet, but treatment usually helps manage the symptoms.

Where research stands now

On 2026-11-11, 236 trials and studies of endometriosis were open. On that date, 26 treatments were being tested in people, and 13 had reached phase 3, the last, largest trials before approval. From 2025-11-05 to 2026-11-11, articles reported 56 studies of treatments in people, 109 in animals and 36 in the lab. On 2026-11-11, 6 medicines had a US approval and 2 had an EU approval for endometriosis. Health pages say there is currently no cure, and treatment aims to control the symptoms.

Machine-written from the registry counts and the regulators' lists · 2026-11-11

We found 15 medicines approved for endometriosis in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.

Approved: 15

Officially approved for this disease in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.

Where this comes from

The EU medicines agency (EMA) and its list of medicines in the EU, US prescribing labels (DailyMed, openFDA), the Swiss medicines register (Swissmedic), the French medicines database (ANSM) and the Health Canada drug database, checked on 11 November 2026. Every medicine links to its own official text.

A computer made this list from the official texts: it kept only medicines whose own approval text names the disease, wrote "Who it is for" from that text and checked it against the text a second time. People have not reviewed it yet.

Not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before you change any treatment.

Treatments approved outside the EU

Medicines for Endometriosis approved in the US or Japan that are not approved in the EU.

Checked on 11 Nov 2026 in the official lists of the US (FDA), Japan (PMDA, approvals since April 2004) and the EU (EMA). 7 uncertain matches are left out.

Check with your insurance

Your health insurer may pay part of the cost, sometimes all of it. This depends on your insurer, your plan and the country, so always ask your insurer before you go. For planned care in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, ask about form S2.

Support organisations

Patient organisations and helplines in United States, for you and your family.

Endometriosis organisations in United States

  • Endo Black, Incorporated

    Advocacy organization for African American women and women of color with endometriosis, offering toolkits, a symptom tracker, events and awareness campaigns.

    endoblack.org
  • Endometriosis Association

    US self-help organization offering support, education and research funding for women and girls with endometriosis.

    endometriosisassn.org
  • Endometriosis Foundation of America

    US nonprofit increasing awareness of endometriosis, providing education and supporting research and patient advocacy.

    endofound.org
  • The Endometriosis Coalition (The Endo Co)

    Patient-founded group for people with endometriosis offering education, resources, advocacy, a support group and research fundraising.

    theendo.co

General support in United States

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

    US national 24/7 free and confidential lifeline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, reachable by calling or texting 988 or by chat.

    988lifeline.org
  • MedlinePlus

    Free, easy-to-read health information service of the US National Library of Medicine (NIH) on diseases, conditions, drugs and wellness.

    medlineplus.gov

International

General support

  • European Patients' Forum (EPF)

    Umbrella of European patient organisations and national patient coalitions.

    eu-patient.eu
  • International Alliance of Patients' Organizations

    Global alliance of patient organisations of all diseases, promoting patient-centred healthcare.

    iapo.org.uk

Patient organisation umbrella bodies

Offer tissue or data

There are three ways to help research move faster.

Give tissue or bloodA biobank stores your sample so many research teams can use it.No open programme yet
Share your health dataA patient registry collects your health data, without your name, for research.How to join
Take part as a healthy volunteerStudies also need people without the disease, for comparison. Family and friends can help.Volunteer

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Before you pay for anything, ask three things

  1. Is there a published study in people?
  2. Can I have the full price in writing?
  3. What does my doctor say?

About Endometriosis

What is it?

In endometriosis, cells similar to the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body.1 They are most often found around the womb, on the ovaries and fallopian tubes and on the lining of the pelvis, sometimes on the bladder or bowel, and sometimes outside the pelvis, such as in the chest.1 Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed, but the blood cannot leave the body.1 The cause is not known.2,1

It can start when periods begin and last until the menopause, and it can affect anyone who has or had a womb.1,2 About 1 in 10 women of child-bearing age worldwide have it, about 190 million people.2

The first signs

The signs differ from person to person.2

  • period pain so bad that it stops you doing normal things;1
  • heavy periods, for example needing a new pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours;1
  • pain in the lower tummy and back, at any time;1
  • pain during or after sex, or when you poo or pee;1
  • extreme tiredness, and trouble getting pregnant.1

Endometriosis can also bring low mood or anxiety.1,2

How doctors find out

It can take a long time to diagnose, because the signs look like other conditions.1 Your family doctor asks about your symptoms and whether close relatives have had endometriosis, and may examine you, including inside the vagina.1 You may be sent to a womb specialist (gynaecologist).1 An ultrasound or MRI scan can help.1,2 A laparoscopy can confirm it: a camera is passed through a small cut in your tummy, and doctors may be able to remove patches during the same operation.1

Current treatment

Painkillers and hormone treatments such as the combined pill are often tried first, and surgery is offered if they do not help, the disease is widespread or fertility is affected.Source: NHS

Will it get worse?

It affects people differently.1 Treatment usually helps, but the symptoms can last for years and affect daily life, work and relationships.1 They usually stop after the menopause, although sometimes they carry on.1

Medicines: what helps, and what to watch for

Medicines are often the first treatment.1 Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are used to treat the pain.1,2 Hormone treatments, such as the combined contraceptive pill or other medicines that change hormone levels, can also ease pain.1

Good to know:

  • hormone treatments are not given to people who are trying to get pregnant;1
  • your doctor should talk you through the risks and side effects of each treatment;1
  • if treatment is not working or the symptoms are severe, you can be sent to a specialist endometriosis service.1

Surgery, for some people

Surgery is offered if other treatments do not help, if endometriosis is widespread, or if it affects fertility.1 It can remove patches of endometriosis or cysts on the ovaries, part of the bladder or bowel if they are affected, or the womb (hysterectomy) or ovaries.1 Sometimes more surgery is needed later, if symptoms come back or scar tissue makes organs stick together.1

Is there a cure?

There is currently no cure for endometriosis.1,2 Treatment aims to control the symptoms and limit long-term effects.2 New tests that could find endometriosis earlier are being developed.2

Sources

  1. NHS: Endometriosis
  2. WHO: Endometriosis – Fact sheet