Why common anti-inflammatories are not enough
Endometriosis is not ordinary pain.
7–10 years of waiting for a diagnosis, of having your pain invalidated, of ibuprofen that no longer works. You are not being dramatic — endometriosis has biological mechanisms that no painkiller can reach.
Anti-inflammatories treat the symptom, not the cause. Endometriosis has 3 biological mechanisms that keep it active regardless of symptomatic treatment.
Self-perpetuating inflammation
Injuries produce pro-inflammatory cytokines that attract more immune cells → which produce more inflammation. A cycle that does not stop on its own.
Lesions produce their own estrogen
Endometriotic tissue has its own aromatase — it produces estrogen locally, independently of the ovary. Systemic hormones do not reach this source.
Injuries build their own vascular network
Lesions stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis, via VEGF) which provide them with nutrients and allow them to grow. Without blocking this process, the lesions continue to expand.