A Clinician’s View on Endometriosis Today — and What’s Next
An interview with Prof. Sylvia Mechsner (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin), hosted by Dr. Jeff Marksberry (Chief Medical Officer, Oska Wellness).
Endometriosis care is changing. In this conversation, Prof. Sylvia Mechsner—head of the Endometriosis Center at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin—joins Dr. Jeff Marksberry at the World Endometriosis Conference 2025, Sydney, to discuss where treatment stands today, how research is evolving, and why a multimodal approach is essential for real-world relief.
The state of care: proven options—and real gaps
Prof. Mechsner outlines the backbone of current management: careful diagnosis, individualized medical therapy, and, when indicated, conservative surgery by experienced teams. Medical options aim to suppress symptoms and slow disease activity; surgery addresses anatomic disease and restores function. Yet many patients still face persistent pain, access barriers, or side-effects that limit long-term use—driving interest in supportive, non-drug modalities that can sit alongside standard care. (Interview content)
What her research is revealing
Drawing on her leadership at Charité’s Endometriosis Center and research unit, Prof. Mechsner highlights ongoing work spanning mechanisms of pain, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes across therapies. The goal: better match patients to the combinations of treatments that help them live well—rather than relying on a single “silver bullet.” frauenklinik.charite.deWikipediaOBGYN
Why multimodal matters
Both experts emphasize a multimodal treatment model:
evidence-based medical therapy
conservative, expertise-led surgery when appropriate
pelvic physio, pain psychology, lifestyle strategies
and adjunctive technologies that may help reduce pain and inflammation without adding drug burden.
That integrated plan is often what moves the needle on daily function. (Interview content)
Exploring PEMF for endometriosis: the Charité study
The interview also explores pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy as an adjunct for symptom relief. Charité is conducting a randomized, double-blind pilot study titled “Clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation in patients with endometriosis.” The protocol applies the Oska Pulse device for 84 days, worn over or near the painful area, with self-administered daily sessions. Results are intended to evaluate effects on pain and quality of life.
Prof. Mechsner discusses where PEMF could fit—in particular, as a supportive, non-invasive option within a broader plan, especially for patients seeking to reduce reliance on medications or to manage symptoms between medical or surgical interventions. (Interview content)
The way forward
Looking ahead, Prof. Mechsner calls for:
Stronger phenotyping (matching the right care to the right patient),
High-quality trials that compare real-world combinations of treatments, and
Patient-centred outcomes that track function, work/school participation, and quality of life—not just pain scores. (Interview content)
Important note: PEMF is under clinical investigation for endometriosis at Charité; while early signals are of interest, definitive conclusions await peer-reviewed results. Patients should consult their healthcare professional about any new therapy.
About the speakers
Prof. Sylvia Mechsner is a senior gynecologist and head of the Endometriosis Center at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Her work spans basic and clinical endometriosis research and advanced surgical care.
Dr. Jeff Marksberry is Chief Medical Officer at Oska Wellness and has led clinical education and research programs in electromedical devices for more than a decade.