Is a hysterectomy the only answer for endometriosis?

No, it's not the only option.

Typically modern doctors avoid suggesting a hysterectomy considering the effects on the body (essentially premature menopause) and the fact it's a major surgery, especially if your daughter is also young or wanting children/more children. A hysterectomy will solve the problem, however it may bring up new problems, it's an option but really it's best considered as a last option only.

Other options include;

- Hormonal birth control.

- Progesterone treatment.

- Antiprogestogen treatment.

- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues

- Laparoscopic surgery.

- Laparotomy.

There are multiple natural treatments too including various herbal treatments, dietary changes, and even acupressure, acupuncture, or chiropractic care can help. Getting pregnant can help. Painkillers [both natural and medical] can help make the pain more manageable, depending on severity.

I would suggest that your daughter seeks a second, third, and even fourth opinion on this - hysterectomy is a major surgery that will have a major impact on her body and major surgery has it's risks, a hysterectomy is not reversible and there is no guarantee that the endometriosis will not return after the operation. She needs to look at all her options, if surgery helped before then there's no reason to think it wouldn't help again, or that other less extreme options wouldn't help too.