What treatments are there for endometriosis?

[kittynevill]

I'm 23 and recently diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and endometriosis. I know it's bad but not how bad yet as awaiting further test. My worst fear is having to have a hysterectomy. Could I please have some help with understanding what treatments are out there?

Thanks in advance

[Christin_a]

Hello

So below are the treatment options for endo.

Surgery with the removal of the endometriosis.

Hormonal birth control to try and control symptoms.

Pain management.

Changes in diet.

A hysterectomy is really a last resort as it's not really a treatment for endometriosis, as by definition endometriosis grows outside of the uterus so removing it doesn't stop endo. But some women choose to do it as they've tried everything else etc. Or they may have a condition along side endometriosis which can be helped with a hysterectomy such as adenomyosis or fibroid.

[kittynevill in reply to Christin_a]

How does the pain management work?

[Christin_a in reply to kittynevill]

So depends on the pain. For some it can just be finding the right pain killers that work for you weather that's prescribed or not. Or trying things like a tens machine.

But there are also pain clinics, I've not been to one, but my understanding is they work with people who have chronic pain on ways they can handle their pain aside from just using prescription pain meds.

[kittynevill in reply to Christin_a]

Thank you that's made it a little easier to understand

[palewaves]

Have you been on any birth control before? I’ve been on the Depo Injection for three years which has masked endo symptoms - may be a good shout for you as I’ve found I’m in a lot less pain than I will be when I come off!!

[kittynevill in reply to palewaves]

Previously yes, but I ideally dont want to go back onto any as I wanted to started my family very soon

[Sunflower1968]

Hi so my daughter is 19 and uses “Yasmine” back to back for 4 months has 4 days off then starts again and this has helped her symptoms. She still suffers with pain but both nutrition and yoga and breathing techniques are helping her.

I’m 51 and had both Severe endo & adenomyosis so I tried pretty much Everything from a chemical induced menopause to lidocaine infusions to cbd oils and pretty much every type of pain killer via the pain clinic. I saw numerous consultants and had Numerous procedures and finally a total hysterectomy last year.

It has (Touching wood) relieved my pain so much, I continue with a Low Inflammatory diet and try to stay as healthy as possible.

With your age there are quite a few options to try and I agree

Nutrition can be effective and tens machines. What I reminded myself daily is we are all different so what may work for ten ladies on here may not for ten others.

I found journaling helped both with identifying my triggers with food/stress etc but also it helps with providing information for medical professionals.

There is so much help and advice online and you may need to see two or even three consultants as you need to feel you have trust and faith in their experience and guidance.

I hope that helps x

[kittynevill in reply to Sunflower1968]

Thank you

[Rjb_88]

There’s quite a few options...

Hormonal mini or combined pill, usually back to back

Patch

Implant

Depo injection - I found this helped me for the longest period before my body got used to it and rebelled.

Coil

Laparoscopy to find and remove the tissue but it can grow back and my specialist is reluctant to do any more as the scar tissue is bad now.

Medical menopause - using prostap or zolodex for example to put the body into a temporary menopause and then add back in HRT to help the menopause symptoms. My specialist said I can stay on prostap and oestrogen only HRT for five years if it helps.

Hysterectomy but this might not get rid of the problem as by definition endo tissue grows outside of the womb.

Pain relief wise I find cocodamol or tramadol with mefenamic acid and tranxemic acid really good when I’m having a bad flare up and mefenamic acid and paracetamol when it starts to ease up. I also take amitryptiline and have had gabapentin before.

Sorry for the essay! X

[kittynevill in reply to Rjb_88]

Thank you for the explanation. Is the pain relief a prescribed or over the counter?

[Rjb_88 in reply to kittynevill]

You can get solpadiene max which is cocodamol over the counter, they’re good but if it’s bad then stronger cocodamol on prescription and the others are also prescribed