Endometriosis does not always require treatment. Mild case may not need any treatment at all, and if left untreated, can improve. Though most cases will remain unchanged without treatment and may even get worse. Western medical science has two approaches in treating endometriosis, drug therapy and surgery.
Drug Therapy
Drug therapy can be used to treat the symptoms associated with endometriosis. This approach is mostly employed for the purposes of pain relief. It involves prescribing over-the-counter pain relief medication (such as panadol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Alternatively, drug therapy can involve hormonal treatment. This approach is designed to suppress the menstrual cycle. In turn, this will have the affect of slowing the growth of the endometriosis. The most common drug prescribed for this purpose is the contraceptive pill.
Surgery
Keyhole surgery (otherwise known as laparoscopy) can be used as either a method of diagnosis (to locate the endometriosis) or as a form of treatment. When used as a form of treatment it involves surgically cutting out the endometriosis or the use of a laser to burn the endometriosis. The surgical approach is needed when there are cysts on the ovaries. Without surgery, it is unlikely these will resolve on their own (and they cannot be treated using drug therapy).