The National Institute for Health and Care Research has backed a £2.4 million clinical trial to assess the impact of a specialty pain management program for women with endometriosis.
Led by the University of Aberdeen, the five-year study will evaluate how a remotely delivered, endometriosis-specific pain management program (e-PMP) can improve quality of life for women across the UK experiencing persistent symptoms
“Endometriosis is one of the most common yet under-researched causes of chronic pain. Many women continue to suffer even after surgery or medication,” said Dr. Lucky Saraswat, the lead for Aberdeen Endometriosis Centre in NHS Grampian.
While endometriosis is often treated with surgery, the study aims to standardize noninvasive care pathways for the one in 10 women diagnosed with the condition. Up to 50% of patients relapse post-surgery, experiencing symptoms like pelvic pain and chronic fatigue.
“If effective, e‑PMP could become a vital new treatment option, particularly for women who wish to avoid repeated surgery or hormonal therapies, or who are planning a pregnancy,” Saraswat said.
The 12-week program will include cognitive behavioural therapy‑informed psychotherapy, specialist physiotherapy, guidance on relationships, intimacy, communication, and self‑compassion, as well as medication advice to reduce side effects. To validate efficacy, researchers will compare women receiving the current standard of care with those receiving e-PMP alongside traditional care to assess its effectiveness.
