March is recognised globally as Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time to spotlight a condition that affects an estimated one in ten women of reproductive age worldwide, yet remains widely underdiagnosed and untreated.[i] In South Africa, thousands of women live with limiting symptoms that quietly shape their personal, professional, and physical lives. Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, new technology available in South Africa offers promising relief to women suffering from this condition.
A condition defined by pain and prolonged uncertainty
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, often leading to chronic pelvic pain, painful and heavy periods, discomfort during intercourse, difficulties with mobility and exercise, and other symptoms.
Endometriosis is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Women often experience delays of up to ten or more years between the onset of symptoms and receiving a confirmed diagnosis, due to factors such as symptom normalisation, lack of awareness, and inconsistent access to specialised care.[ii] African women often face even longer delays in diagnosis.[iii] Countless affected women continue to live with unmanaged symptoms that affect daily functioning.
The impact of endometriosis extends beyond physical discomfort to diminished psychosocial wellness, affecting women’s overall quality of life.[iv]
Non-invasive electromagnetic therapy could be a game-changer
While endometriosis has no cure, management often involves a combination of medical treatment, surgery, physiotherapy, and lifestyle adaptations. Despite its prevalence, many women delay seeking help or struggle to find treatment options that address pain without invasive procedures or repeated surgery.
Enter Pelvic Chair therapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses clinically tested electromagnetic technology to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Each 30-minute session activates more than 11,000 targeted muscle contractions, without the physical strain, discomfort, or embarrassment often associated with traditional pelvic floor exercises or therapy.
While the technology is widely used in the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, it is increasingly being applied in the management of menstrual pain and endometriosis-related symptoms. In women with endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to chronic pain, muscle guarding, nerve sensitivity, and reduced mobility.
By helping to relax overactive pelvic floor muscles, improve muscle coordination, and increase blood flow to the pelvic region, Pelvic Chair therapy may support pain reduction and improved daily comfort when used as part of a broader, multidisciplinary care approach.
Clinical use and patient-reported outcomes suggest that some women experience improvements in pain levels, sexual function, and overall quality of life after a short course of treatment, with the therapy generally well tolerated and without reported side effects.
Danielle Ross, a Women’s Health and Female Pelvic physiotherapist from Gqeberha, who provides Pelvic Chair therapy through Pelvic Care – the country’s leading provider of this treatment – explains: “Evidence shows that physical activity assists pain management in women diagnosed with endometriosis. The Pelvic Chair is a physical activity method that promotes pelvic mobility and increases circulation in the pelvic region.”
Ross recently started using the Pelvic Care chair in her practice as one of her treatment options. She reports, “I have been pleased with the feedback and progress we have experienced – the chair’s advantage for pelvic patient outcomes is undeniable.”
Pelvic Chair therapy does not claim to cure endometriosis, but for some women, it offers a non-invasive option that brings symptom relief.
What do real women say?
An endometriosis patient, who had been tracking her pain, recently shared her experience after trying Pelvic Chair therapy.
“When I started at Pelvic Care, I was making a note of pain almost every second day. But it has been a very long time since I felt pain that was noticeable, or even worth mentioning.”
Another patient who has lived with endometriosis for more than 20 years and has undergone two surgical procedures recently shared her experience after trying Pelvic Chair therapy.
“I do feel that there has been an improvement,” she says. She also encourages other women living with the condition, “I believe that the earlier someone is treated, the better the chance that the chair will be effective, especially for younger patients.”
By women for women
Chrismari de Kock, founder of Pelvic Care, says her and her team’s work is guided by listening to women who have spent years adapting their lives around pain and discomfort.
“Many of the women we see have tried everything. Medication, surgery, rest, pushing through,” she says. “When someone tells you they have lived with discomfort for two decades, any improvement matters. Feeling heard and supported matters.”
As Endometriosis Awareness Month draws attention to the realities many women quietly endure, focus is sharpening on the condition’s long-term impact on holistic wellbeing and the range of treatment options available. Within this context, advanced, non-invasive technologies such as Pelvic Chair therapy are beginning to feature in broader discussions around symptom management, informed by growing clinical use and positive patient-reported outcomes.
Find help
To find a Pelvic Care practice near you, visit www.pelviccare.co.za.
[i] World Health Organization. (2023). Endometriosis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis
[ii] Zondervan, K. T., Becker, C. M., Missmer, S. A., and colleagues. (2024). Time to diagnose endometriosis: Current status, challenges and regional characteristics – A systematic literature review. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384692796_Time_to_Diagnose_Endometriosis_Current_Status_Challenges_and_Regional_Characteristics-A_Systematic_Literature_Review
[iii] Fourie, J. J., and others. (2022). Diagnostic delay of endometriosis is longer in African women: A systematic review. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 159(3), 622–630. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9578059/
[iv] Culley, L., et al. (2013). The social and psychological impact of endometriosis on women’s lives. Human Reproduction Update, 19(6), 625 to 639. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmt027
