Management of menstrual and endometriosis-associated pain from a physiotherapy perspective

Both menstrual pain and endometriosis affect a significant number of individuals worldwide. Although medication and surgery are often recommended paths of treatment, approximately 40% of people still suffer from ongoing problems, especially persistent pain. A growing body of literature suggests that physiotherapy may have a significant role to play in treatment; for example, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for non-invasive pain relief, exercise prescription and addressing the effects of central sensitization. This clinical commentary reviews the issues faced by those dealing with both dysmenorrhea and endometriosis. It also reviews the literature on the current and potential roles of physiotherapy in improving quality of life via a low-risk, low-cost, but very effective, array of interventions within our scope of practice.