Among 434 Canadian endometriosis patients, 94% used alternative therapies (average 6.9 in six months), with cannabis and heat perceived as most effective — yet 62% felt their pain was still not adequately managed.
Read this if you have endometriosis and are looking for effective pain management options.
Cannabis #1Cannabis perceived as most effective alternative therapy for endometriosis pain among Canadian patients
What the researchers found
Of 434 respondents, 93.8% used at least one alternative therapy in the past 6 months for endometriosis pain. Patients used an average of 6.9 alternative therapies, 2.3 medical treatments, and 1.7 surgical treatments per period. Despite this extensive treatment burden, 61.9% felt their pain was not adequately managed. Cannabis and heat were perceived as the most effective alternative therapies. The most commonly used alternatives were heat, meditation/mindfulness/rest, and diet.
Why it matters
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women with limited effective treatments. The finding that patients turn to an average of 7 alternative therapies underscores the inadequacy of conventional management and positions cannabis as a treatment worth investigating.
The numbers in context
- 434 respondents (Canadian, age 18-50)
- 93.8% used at least 1 alternative therapy
- Average 6.9 alternative therapies per 6 months
- Average 2.3 medical and 1.7 surgical treatments
- 61.9% felt pain inadequately managed
- Cannabis and heat rated most effective alternatives
How the study worked
Cross-sectional online survey via The Endometriosis Network Canada. Canadians 18-50 with diagnosed or suspected endometriosis. Self-reported therapy use and perceived effectiveness.
Who was studied
434 Canadians aged 18-50 with diagnosed or suspected endometriosis
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported, self-selected sample through patient network. Perceived effectiveness ≠ measured effectiveness. Survey conducted during COVID-19 which may have affected treatment access. No verification of endometriosis diagnosis.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional survey. Provides patient perception data but cannot establish treatment efficacy.
When this study was published
Published in 2023. Reflects current Canadian treatment landscape including legal cannabis access.
The bigger picture
The treatment burden revealed by this survey — nearly 7 alternative therapies plus medical and surgical interventions — illustrates the desperation of endometriosis patients and the failure of current treatments to adequately address their pain.
Questions still open
- Would a controlled trial of cannabis for endometriosis pain confirm patients' perceptions?
- Which cannabinoid profiles are most effective for endometriosis-specific pain?
- Should clinicians proactively discuss cannabis as an alternative therapy option?
Read the original research
Prevalence of Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Medical, Surgical, and Alternative Therapies for Endometriosis Pain in Canadians.
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 45(1), 11-20
Citation
Gholiof, Mahsa; Adamson-De Luca, Emma; Foster, Warren G; Leyland, Nicholas A; Bridge-Cook, Philippa; Leonardi, Mathew; Wessels, Jocelyn M. (2023). Prevalence of Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Medical, Surgical, and Alternative Therapies for Endometriosis Pain in Canadians.. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 45(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2022.11.003