Endometriosis whilst on the pill

[KE2015]

Hi, I've been on the pill since I started my period, about 10 years ago. Is it possible to develop endometriosis while on the pill? Thanks

[Hidden]

Yes, anytime you have estrogen in your body, there is a chance of having endo. It all just depends on whether or not your body sees the endo as a threat outside of the uterus. And keep in mind, that the pill isn't always enough to keep endo away or even at a stand still. Bodies are funny like that.

[KE2015 in reply to Hidden]

Ok thank you for your advice

[Arcadia-77]

Some of the latest research points to many of us possibly being born with endo. So it wouldn't really make any difference being on the pill, although it may have helped suppress your symptoms whilst you are on it.

[Arcadia-77]

From my understanding neither the pill or any other hormone treatment has a preventative effect on endo, they simply may be suppressing the disease. The birth control pill can be really helpful with endo symptoms for some women, which is why they notice the symptoms so much after stopping them, but sadly others get no relief from them at all. Endometriosis lesions also have progesterone receptors too, so the effect of hormones on the disease is far from truly understood.

[KE2015]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I've been experiencing really bad pelvic pain for the last few months, very heavy painful periods and feeling really run down. I've had a Transvaginal ultra sound which came back normal and I'm booked in for a Colonoscopy of my bowel next week. So if that comes back normal I'm going to speak to my GP about possible endo. Need to get to the bottom as to why I've been feeling so crappy! Thanks again

[Arcadia-77 in reply to KE2015]

Do you mean you are still on the pill now, and if so do you have the 7 day break every month?

To be honest I wouldn't wait, I would go to your GP and if you are in the UK ask to be referred to an endo specialist off the BSGE list now, as these things usually take a while anyway and it's often best to get everything investigated or ruled out really. bsge.org.uk/ec-BSGE-accredi...

[KE2015 in reply to Arcadia-77]

Yeah I'm still on the pill and have a 7 day break every month.

Yeah I'm In the UK. Ok I'll do that, thanks for your help.

[Arcadia-77 in reply to KE2015]

Hi. Depending on which pill you are taking you might find it better "tricycling" it then, you can do this with most combined pills. It just means taking three packs at a time before you have a break, some women even take it for a lot longer or permanently without a break if it works well for them. The bleed you get on the break from the pill isn't a "real" period anyway, so it's ok to do this. Ask your GP first though, in case you have any other health issues or reasons why you can't do that, I think it is generally safe for most women to do though. If you are still struggling with the periods you do get whilst on the pill, it makes sense to try taking it this way. This is mainly a good article on the pill which explains some of it well. womhealth.org.au/conditions...

[Kat4u101]

Hi my doctor told me to go on the pill to help stop endometriosis from coming back.

Maybe his wrong

[Shelly92]

Lindel

I know you have done extensive research on this.

What is your gut say about it ?

It does seem to affect so many women

Maybe like cancer starts the immune system is weak a few months thus endo gets it claws into us

You can pm me

[e-mail]