{"paper_id":"0c015a78-b544-4b3f-bc90-9c1184e1e9e3","body_text":"Abstract\nBackground\nEndometriosis is the leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age with debilitating effects on quality of life, yet no cure exists. Exercise yields the potential in providing women with a non-invasive, non-pharmacological method of symptom control.\nAim(s)\nPresent up-to-date knowledge regarding how exercise may contribute to the management of endometriosis-related symptoms.\nObjective(s)\nDiscuss:\n-\n1.\nThe pathophysiology surrounding exercise and endometriosis.\n-\n2.\nThe role of exercise in endometriosis symptom control.\nRationale\nScientific literature has alluded to exercise being a favourable factor in the management of endometriosis-related symptoms. Moreover, current clinical guidelines for endometriosis fail to reflect the aforementioned benefits of exercise.\nSearch strategy\nA search strategy using the terms ‘endometriosis’, ‘endometriomas’, ‘exercise’, and ‘physical activity’ was devised. Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane reviews, and Embase were reviewed.\nInclusion criteria\nInterventional studies, within-subjects studies, randomised-control trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, cohort studies, publication since 2000.\nExclusion criteria\nNon-English publications, non-human studies.\nResults\nNumerous studies have suggested positive effects for endometriosis patients who performed exercise exclusively or in conjunction with other therapies. Improvements in pain levels, quality of life, anxiety, and depression were noted.\nDiscussion\nCurrent research outlines promise regarding the potential benefit of exercise prescribing in patients with endometriosis as well as a synergy between exercise and hormonal therapies for the management of endometriosis-related symptoms. However, the current paucity of high-quality robust studies investigating these aspects of endometriosis management is an apparent obstacle to progression in this area.\nConclusion\nFor clinicians to incorporate exercise in managing endometriosis, clear recommendations regarding advice and benefits are needed.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nReferences\nBurney RO, Giudice LC (2012) Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. Fertil Steril 98(3):511–519\nKennedy S, Bergqvist A, Chapron C et al (2005) ESHRE guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. 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Exercise and endometriosis—is there a promising future? A narrative review. Ir J Med Sci 193, 2375–2387 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03733-2\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nPublished:\nVersion of record:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-024-03733-2","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}