Femodene or other combined pills to shrink endometriosis

[Eliade]

Hi ladies!

Does anyone use Femodene or ANY other combined pill to shrink stage IV of endometriosis? My gyne wants me to change from Visanne (dienogest 2 mg) because he thinks its dosage is too low to this combined pill but I'm not convinced also because I read it caused many women's death in the past....any experiences with it or any other combined pill? I'm losing my head to find answers 😵

[Movingforward2019]

Hello,

Just to say that the pill does not shrink endo it can help with the symptoms but it does not always work. The only way to reduce/ get rid of endo lesions is to have excision surgery.

Hope you find something that works for you.

[Eliade in reply to Movingforward2019]

Hi Movingforward2019,

thanks for your reply, I believe the same as you. A combined pill can't do much.

I would like to have an excision surgery but I need to wait until the coronavirus situation gets better. Wish you all the best xx

[Linley]

I was on Provera(progesterone only) to dampen down the bleeding after my surgery. Was not aware that the combined pill did that. Suggest you re-check with your GP

[Eliade in reply to Linley]

Hi Liney,

thanks for your reply. How have you been on Provera, what dosage did you take? Has it been helpful to you? My gyne gave me two options: Provera or the combined pill but as I'm already experiencing enough side effects on a low dosage of dienogest (it's a type of progesterone), he thinks that the combined pill would have less side effects and would help to shrink the endometriosis but I don't really believe that. I would be glad of you could tell me your experience with Provera 😊 xx

[Linley in reply to Eliade]

I was on Provera a long time ago-just checked my medical diary had written prescribed Provera for 18 months, after moderate Endo found. Yes, it suited me well, no side affects alas did not write down the dosage prescribed. I also went on holiday for the 1st time without any problems. Do remember my Gyna saying that doses can differ from one patient to the next. Wish you pain free days, keep safe.

[Christin_a]

Hey

No pill can shrink endometriosis. They are used to help ease symptoms only.

Of your Dr is suggesting that and you have stage 4 endo. I recommend finding a new Dr who knows alot more about endo.

[Eliade in reply to Christin_a]

Hi Christin_a,

thanks for your reply. I believe the same. He gave me two options: Provera or the combined pill. As I'm already experiencing enough side effects taking a low dosage of progesterone, I would go more for the second options and he clearly told me that the endometriosis will shrink. I totally agree with you, a stage IV of endometriosis can't be shrink with a combined pill but I wanted to see if someone had a good experience with this treatment generally xx

[JoBTW74]

Hi I would not suggest a combination pill as progesterone only pill is supposed to be better due to this disease being related to a dominance of oestrogen. I take a double dose of a progesterone only pill which definitely does help lessen the symptoms For me and i have stage 4 with a frozen pelvis. Mybe ask for a second opinion x

[Eliade in reply to JoBTW74]

Hi JoBTW74,

thanks for you reply. I believe the same as you and the doctor told me the same, but he wants to give me a combined pill because he is concerned for my bones (I have osteopenia). He gave me two options: Provera at higher doses or the combined pill. He pushes more for the second option because of the side effects that I'm already having with a low dosage of progesterone and for the osteopenia.

I did some research and discovered that actually taking a combined pill can be useful because the low dose of oestrogens in the pill would be enough to say to your body: "I'm already giving you estrogens, so you wouldn't need to produce any more estrogens" and therefore would make your body stop producing estrogens because it provides them. But everyone is different, for someone would be better taking only progesterone, for someone else would be better a combined pill.

What progesterone-only pill do you take? What's her name? Do you cope well with the side effects of taking a double dose of it? Did it help to shrink endo lesions? Sorry for the questions but I would like to know more about your experience 😊

[JoBTW74]

Hi

The pill is called Desogestral, i find I have 3 good months then three no so good months but grateful for that lol.

It’s interesting what you have said about the combination pill as when i was younger i always took that and never had any symptoms or even knew that i had endo.

No extra side affects of the double dose really maybe weight gain but if i am honest that is probably more down to my eating habits. Mr consultant was dr carpenter however i am not seeing him anymore as he doesn’t want to do surgery on me unless i was really struggling as such a mess inside. When i was operated on i had sepsis and the amount of infection in my pelvis stopped them from being able to do anything else apart from drain a cyst.

So i have no idea if the pill has had any effect to any off that. I don’t bleed really heavily like i used to and don’t suffer the same amount of pain. Its not perfect but it has helped me a lot x

I hope you get the help you need

[Boxclever1]

I don't know about endometriosis lesions but the combined pill definitely can shrink the size of endometriomas (endometrial cysts in ovaries); there is a great deal of published research on it, e.g. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/261...

I'm on the pill that study used "Eloine", to reduce the size of my endometrioma and help with my pain while I wait out the pandemic. I've only been on it for a month but it's definitely helped with my pain.

NB. Eloine has lower oestrogen than the likes of Femodene. But it costs the NHS a bit more....