Endometriosis treatments include birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, medications to suppress ovulation, anti-inflammatories, and surgery.
Endometriosis is growth of the endometrial cells outside the uterus, and can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or intestines, causing severe period cramps, pelvic pain, and heavy menstrual flow.
Treatment of endometriosis should be managed by a gynecologist and varies based on the location of the disease, severity of symptoms, age of the individual, and desire for future pregnancy.
Treatment options
The main treatments for endometriosis include:
1. Contraceptives
Birth control pills (combined or progestin-only), patches, shots, or vaginal rings can be prescribed by a gynecologist or your primary care provider to help regulate hormone levels.
These contraceptive methods should be prescribed by your doctor or other healthcare provider, and may involve continuous or cyclic dosing.
2. Hormonal IUD
The hormonal IUD, containing only the progestin levonorgestrel, is another form of hormonal treatment for endometriosis that can be prescribed by your doctor to reduce endometriosis symptoms.
The hormonal IUD (Mirena) works by blocking ovulation, which causes endometriosis lesions and the lining of the uterus to atrophy.
3. GnRH agonists
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, such as leuprolide acetate (Lupron Depot) or goserelin acetate (Zoladex), may be prescribed by a gynecologist to suppress the menstrual cycle and reduce levels of estrogen in the body.
This causes endometriosis lesions to atrophy but also results in temporary menopause, with symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
4. GnRH antagonists
Another option for the treatment of endometriosis is the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists, like elagolix, which may be indicated to reduce levels of hormones produced by the ovaries, such as estrogen and progesterone.
Like GnRH agonists, GnRH antagonists may also induce temporary menopause.
5. Androgens
Androgens, like danazol, help block the LH surge and reduce levels of estrogen, causing endometriosis lesions to atrophy.
Because it is an androgen, danazol also increases levels of testosterone in the body, which can lead to side effects like acne, deepening of the voice, and increased body hair.
6. Anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatories like mefenamic acid or ibuprofen may be indicated by a gynecologist or primary care provider to relieve pain from intense period cramps caused by endometriosis.
These medications do not, however, reduce the number of endometriosis lesions or prevent development of the disease.
Also recommended: Medicine For Cramps: What to Take To Relieve Period Cramps tuasaude.com/en/medicine-for-cramps7. Surgery
Surgery may be indicated for the treatment of endometriosis when medications are not effective or in the case of contraindications to these medications. It may also be recommended in the case of severe symptoms that are interfering with quality of life.
The goal of this surgery is to remove all endometriosis lesions and adhesions ("scar tissue"), which can diminish the inflammatory process in the pelvic cavity and increase the chance of pregnancy.
For people who do not desire pregnancy, a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be recommended as definitive treatment for endometriosis, which involves removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Natural remedies
Natural therapies can be combined with medications prescribed by your doctor to help relieve symptoms, primarily abdominal cramps and discomfort.
Drinking teas with analgesic and antispasmodic properties, such as ginger tea with chamomile and lavender tea, can help relieve cramps. See natural remedies for menstrual cramps.
In addition, people with endometriosis should eat a diet rich in omega-3s, which is a substance with the ability to reduce inflammation and, consequently, symptoms of endometriosis. Engaging in regular physical exercise also helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and manage intensity of symptoms.
Complications of endometriosis
The main complications of untreated endometriosis are:
- Formation of adhesions involving the abdominal organs;
- Difficulty becoming pregnant;
- Infertility;
- Organ involvement, including the ovaries, uterus, bladder, and intestines.
Complications from endometriosis vary based on location of the disease and level of severity (mild, moderate, or severe).
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial cells outside of the uterus, typically involving the ovaries and fallopian tubes but also affecting the bladder wall or the intestines in some cases.