Endometriosis Treatment
Endometriosis treatment is different for each woman, and factors have to be taken into consideration such as age,symptoms, future fertility options and treatments tried previously. Endometriosis is a condition that has no cure, like most conditions it can be controlled with a variety of different methods dependant in each case.
Endometriosis Treatment Overview
Endometriosis is a condition suffered by woman usually in there fertile years, most cases do clear up after the menopause due to change and production of hormones. Tissue similar to the lining found in the uterus can also be found in other places within the body. The most common place is in the abdominal cavity and fallopian tubes.
Symptoms of endometriosis
Some woman will experience mild symptoms others will have more severe symptoms, this will be taken into consideration when assessing the Endometrosis Treatment. Some symptoms may include:
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Change in Bowel Movements
Endometriosis Treatment Options
Its beneficial to point out that the reason a person develops the condition endometriosis is still not very clear, this can make endometriosis treatment more difficult. The medical evidence on how productive treatment is not overwhelming.
Deciding which endometriosis treatment route to go down is decided on the individual requirements of the woman. The age and future wishes to have a baby need to be considered and discussed with her doctor.
For some woman endometriosis treatment may not be necessary, some woman suffer no symptoms of endometriosis and have no fertility problems. Research statistics have shown a third of cases have improved and better alone without treatment.
Medical endometriosis treatments
Pain is usually the first symptom woman experience, especially in the lower area of the abdomen, it can be suggested that painkillers should be taken to cope with the pain. The type of pain relief prescribed depends on the severity.
Non-steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAID's) for example ibuprofen and/or naproxen is usually the proffered endometriosis treatment. These can help control and reduce the swelling that may be caused by the endometriosis, It is recommended that you take these approximately seven days before your period is due.
Aspirin or paracetamol may be suggested if the pain is only mild, although it is not as effective as using anti-inflammatories it can help warn off unwanted side effects. Some of the side effects included are diarrhea, sickness, nausea.
Mild narcotics for example Codeine which is a stronger painkiller may be used along side paracetamol if the NSAID's are not suited or not strong enough. There is unwanted side affects that they can cause such as constipation, this can sometimes aggravate the endometriosis symptoms.
In more extreme cases where the pain from endometriosis is excruciating, endometriosis treatment may involve the use or narcotic analgesics. This are very similar to morphine and can carry side effects s such as; consitaption, light-headedness, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach upset, nausea, and flushing until your body adjust to the medication. So it is vital to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of this endometriosis treatment as it could interfere with day to day life.
Hormonal Therapy
Endometriosis is usually a condition manly suffered during a woman's fertile years, it is thought that most cases demise after menopause has taken place. Oestrogen plays a role in the development of endometriosis, treatment for endometriosis rely on reducing and changing the production of these reproductive hormones.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH analogs)
GnRH analogs can help reduce the size of the endometriosis effectively relieving the pain endured by this condition. These types of drugs reduce and suppress the amount of estrogen produced by the body. In other words it is almost mimicking the menopause and periods will stop, there are certain side effects to consider. With this endometriosis treatment your body will experience some of the effects a woman has when going through the menopause. The dropping levels of estrogen can include having hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular bleeding, fatigue and loss of the bone density.
There are ways of reducing some of the side effects, these types of treatment may be offered to a woman to going through the menopause. Small amounts of the hormone estrogen and progesterone in the form of a pill can be taken orally.
Oral contraceptive pills
The oral contraceptive pill may also be an option for Endometrosis Treatment, the combination pill contains both progesterone and estrogen. In some cases woman who suffer with severe periods take this continuously in order not to menstrate. It has proven quite effective in a woman who suffer symptoms of endometriosis. As with all medication certain side effects need to be taken into consideration for example; possible weight gain, soreness in the breast, nausea and some cases irregular bleeding.
Danazol (Danocrine)
This is a synthetic drug which is used to create a high androgen which is the male hormone and a low estrogen hormone environment. This in turn interferes with a woman's ovulation and the production of estrogen from the ovaries. The success rate is very high and most woman will get great pain relief and the endometriosis may shrink. There is a down side to this type of treatment up to 75% of woman will suffer with some sort of side effect from the use of danocrine. Some of the side effects include weight gain, acne, oily skin, deepening of the voice, headaches and mood changes.
If any unwanted side effects are too much to cope with they can take months to return to normal, it is thought that the deepening of the voice is a permanent change. This treatment is not suited to everybody, woman who have suffered with kidney, liver or heart conditions will not be suited.
Aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitor is an endometriosis treatment that interrupts the estrogen formation They control estrogen production in the ovaries and brain as well as other sources. This is a relatively new treatment that is still under investigation to its effectiveness at controlling endometriosis.
Surgical Endometriosis treatment
Surgery is only considered if the other endometriosis treatments have failed and the pain is too severe to cope. Surgery may also be considered if there are any obstructions to the urinary tract, bowel or any distortion to any of the pelvic organs. Surgery is usually carried out by a laparoscopy, endometrial implants may be removed or burnt away with a laser. In very serve cases a hysterectomy may be considered for endometriosis treatment.
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