My Journey with Cushing’s disease
At 30 years old, I was fit, healthy and naturally a size 8–10. I knew my body well, which is why, when it started to
Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It is a chronic and painful condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb. This can cause inflammation that often results in scarring or adhesion formation so that the pelvic organs become fixed in an unnatural position. When it comes to medical treatment for endometriosis, there are a few options available.
Firstly, do note that endometriosis can cause a range of symptoms including, painful periods, pain during sex, and infertility. While there is no known cure for endometriosis, there are many medical treatments available that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
The treatments will vary depending on each individual person’s priority: whether that might be to improve pelvic pain or fall pregnant. Treatments can be divided into medical or surgical options. In this article we’ll cover medical treatment for endometriosis and the options available.
Pain medications are often the first line of medical treatment for endometriosis. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can help relieve pain. For more severe pain, prescription pain medications such may be prescribed.
However, it is important to note that certain medication can be addictive and should only be used under the guidance of your specialist and GP. These medications are not contraceptives and are commonly used by people trying to fall pregnant as they do not interfere with ovulation or the reproductive cycle.
Hormonal treatment is another common medical treatment for endometriosis. Hormonal treatment works by suppressing the production of estrogen, which is the hormone that stimulates the growth of endometrial-like tissue found outside the womb. There are several types of hormonal therapy available.
Contraceptive pills contain hormones that prevent ovulation and are often effective at treating symptoms of endometriosis. Contraceptives are not believed to treat or eliminate the disease but rather treat the symptoms that the disease causes.
For contraceptive purposes, these are commonly used for three weeks followed by a break for a week where people commonly see a period bleed. For endometriosis patients it is common, and safe, to use this continuously and avoid having a period bleed. This treatment is not believed to impair future fertility and the menstrual cycle commonly returns very soon after stopping this treatment.
Progestin-only therapy can be taken in the form of a pill, injection, implant, or intrauterine system (IUS). Progestin works by thinning the lining of the womb. It is also believed that progestins thin the endometrial-like tissue found outside the womb.
This medical treatment for endometriosis is continuous and can cause periods to stop, become irregular, or occur in the same frequency but lighter. If the irregular bleeding on this preparation is concerning please speak with your specialist. This treatment is not believed to impair future fertility, and the menstrual cycle commonly returns very soon after stopping this treatment.
GnRH agonists work by suppressing the production of hormones from the brain that feed the ovary. This results in the ovaries not producing estrogen each month. The medication induces a temporary and reversible medical menopause.
They are typically used for short periods of time, because they can cause side effects such as menopause symptoms, bone loss, premature heart disease, and cognitive decline if used long term without hormone replacement therapy. Once stopped the menstrual cycle will return and fertility is not impaired. The time frame for the menstrual cycle after stopping tends to increase with increasing length of use.
Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga may also be helpful in managing the symptoms of endometriosis. These therapies may help reduce stress, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. While there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of complementary therapies for endometriosis, many women find them to be helpful in managing their symptoms and the risk associated with these treatments is relatively low.
Endometriosis is a chronic multisystem condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. While there is no cure for endometriosis, there are several treatments available that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medical treatment for endometriosis can involve pain medications or hormonal therapy, while complementary therapies are also options that may be recommended by a person’s specialist. It is important for people with suspected endometriosis to work closely with their medical specialist to develop a tailored treatment regime that meets the concerns and expectations of the patient.
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