Drugs For Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a relatively common disorder of the female reproductive system which may lead to infertility and almost always manifests itself in uncomfortable symptoms. Drugs and surgery are both used in conventional medicine to treat the condition and to help a sufferer become pregnant if she so wishes. Unfortunately, endometriosis can only be managed, not cured. Even if a certain drug treatment works for you, it may not eliminate your symptoms altogether, and if you stop taking it, it's likely that your symptoms will return. Many women with endometriosis find, however, that with some patience and close cooperation with their gynaecologist, they can find a drug or a combination of drugs and surgery which will improve the quality of their daily lives and allow them to have children.

Pain-Killing Medications

For women who have mild to moderate endometriosis symptoms (for example, increasingly painful periods, pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, and pain during sexual intercourse) and for whom getting pregnant is not an issue, treatment with pain-killing medications may be sufficient. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS such as ibuprofen are thought to be the most effective painkillers for endometriosis because they reduce the inflammation as well as combating the pain associated with the disorder. Paracetamol and a stronger prescription painkiller called codeine may also be prescribed either alone or in combination with one another. This usually happens if NSAIDS are contraindicated for an existing medical condition in the endometriosis patient, or due to possible side effects of NSAIDS, such as constipation and diarrhoea, which aggravate endometriosis symptoms. Some people will also experience constipation when they take codeine.

A Word Of Caution

If you want to try and control your symptoms with pain medication before you consider hormone treatment or surgery, you may have to try a few different drugs or combinations of drugs, in close cooperation with your doctor, before you find the right one for you. Remember never to exceed the stated dosage on a packet of painkillers without your doctor's approval, and never combine different pain-killing medications without your doctor's knowledge. Also, don't forget that these pain killers only treat the pain of endometriosis; they won't help you to overcome infertility. If you do want to have a baby and your symptoms are severe, you doctor may recommend surgery. This depends on whether or not endometriosis is causing fertility problems in your case. If getting pregnant is not so important, your doctor may also recommend some of the hormone treatments described below.

Hormone Treatments

There are four main types of hormone-based treatment which help stop your body's natural oestrogen production, because oestrogen encourages the growth of endometriosis. These drugs treat your condition by tricking your body into thinking it's in a state of menopause or pregnancy. Therefore your periods stop and your endometriosis is no longer aggravated throughout each menstrual cycle. This helps relieve the pain and may reduce blockages and malfunctions in the reproductive system caused by endometriosis. Hormone therapy is likely to interfere with the process of getting pregnant. However, the combined oral contraceptive pill is the only medication on this list which is intended for use as a contraceptive.

Progestogens

Drugs such as medroxyprogesterone, dydrogesterone and norethisterone are all progestogens which help to stop ovulation and shrink endometrial tissue. Obviously, by stopping ovulation, you are greatly reducing your chances of becoming pregnant. However, these drugs can go a long way towards relieving your pain and discomfort. Side effects may include bloating, weight gain, and mood swings.

Anti-Progestogens

Drugs such as danazol and gestrinone are anti-progestogens which are also known as testosterone derivatives or synthetic male hormones. They reduce the level of female hormones (oestrogen, progesterone) in the body and induce an artificial state of menopause. Less oestrogen means less severe endometriosis. Side effects may include weight gain, acne, mood swings, and the development of more masculine features.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

The pill, which suppresses normal ovarian function and relieves mild endometriosis symptoms, can be taken safely for longer periods than most other hormone treatments. It's a good option for women who aren't interested in becoming pregnant. The pill does have many potential side effects and you might need to try several different brands before you find one that's right for you. It's not recommended for smokers over the age of 35, due to the risk of heart disease.

GnRHs

Drugs such as buserelin, goserelin, nafarelin, leuprorelin and triptorelin are all gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, or GnRHs for short. These induce menopause by sending signals to the brain to switch off the body's natural production of oestrogen and progesterone. Again, less oestrogen means a reduced build-up of endometrial tissue and fewer painful symptoms. GnRHs are associated with several unpleasant side effects and are therefore usually administered in combination with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to combat these problems. The side effects include hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and headaches. GnRHs may also decrease bone density. These drugs are rarely prescribed for more than six months.

Don't Give Up

You gynaecologist will be able to help you manage your endometriosis. Whether you simply want to get your symptoms under control or you are trying to balance your desire for some relief against your desire to have a baby, keep trying until you find the right treatment or combination of treatments for you. Make sure your gynaecologist knows that you are trying to get pregnant before you start taking any course of drugs.