A national clinical trial backed by £2.4 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will test whether an innovative, non-surgical pain management model can transform care for women living with endometriosis pain.
Led by researchers at the University of Aberdeen, the five-year project will evaluate a remotely delivered, endometriosis-specific Pain Management Programme (e-PMP). The intervention is tailored specifically for women whose debilitating pelvic symptoms continue despite previous medical or surgical interventions.
Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women and is characterised by persistent pelvic pain, chronic fatigue, compromised fertility, and significant disruption to everyday personal and professional life.
While laparoscopic excision/ablation and hormonal suppression remain standard pathways, pain recurs in up to half of all cases within five years of surgery, frequently trapping patients in cycles of repeated operative procedures and high-dose analgesic regimens.
The 12-week e-PMP course delivers an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to empower patients with non-invasive self-management strategies.
The trial will compare premenopausal women who receive the new programme alongside standard care against those receiving standard care alone. It is open to women who continue to experience chronic pelvic pain despite previous treatment.
The researchers will also conduct a comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation to support future NHS resource allocation and clinical guideline development.
Dr Lucky Saraswat, who is leading the study, highlighted the scale of unmet demand: "Endometriosis is one of the most common yet under-researched causes of chronic pain. Many women continue to suffer even after surgery or medication. This study will help us understand whether a tailored, interdisciplinary pain management programme can offer meaningful, long-term improvements in quality of life. 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."
Professor Anthony Gordon, Director of the NIHR's Health Technology Assessment Programme, noted that high-quality evidence is essential to break cycles of agonising, refractory pain: "By evaluating tailored, non-surgical pain management, this NIHR-funded trial could revolutionise care - providing desperately needed support, improving daily lives, and offering long-term relief when standard treatments haven’t worked."
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, welcomed the collaborative investment, emphasising that chronic pelvic pain extracts a heavy toll on mental and physical wellbeing and that research into accessible, non-pharmacological modalities remains vital for patient autonomy.
