Dealing with endometriosis

[Purplesloth1]

I had 2 endometriosis cysts removed last year and since have been recommended to go on the pill. I am worried about the cysts coming back and speaking to my doctors hasn't helped. Does anyone have any advice about what to do? Does anyone have any experience of using the mini-pill or combined pill to help endo?

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Hi PurpleSloth,I'm aiming for period suppression to try to slow endometriosis. I have the Minera because it delivers the hormone levonorgestrel locally, and has lower side effects than the pill. I have it because the gynaecologist offered to insert it at the same time as my diagnostic laparoscopy.

Then, I read only 20% of women actually stop their periods by the end of the first year with Minera, so I am also taking the mini pill (Cerazette) to "top up" to try to avoid periods. I've gone for the mini pill because it's suggested for women who have migraines, as well as women over 40.

For me, this has drastically reduced my period to more or less spotting only, and much lower period pain (for the first cycle).

While reading about hormonal treatment, I read that the mini pill is often a first recommended option because it contains progestogin, and no estrogen.

There's an interesting mini pill Zalkya which contains dienogest. It's become available in the UK in Feb 2020. It's specifically for endometriosis, not contraception, although the leaflet says it often stops ovulation.

If I'd known about dienogest earlier, I would have asked to try that first.