Long-term Endo here but need advice around contraceptive options

[OhEmGee80]

Hi everyone, bit of info about me: I was diagnosed with PCOS many years ago when trying to have children and had my first laparoscopy in 2009 where they also found small pockets of endo which they lasered off.

In 2011 I had my second laparoscopy whilst still undergoing investigations for infertility and again, pockets of endo lasered off and they also found my right ovary was covered in scar tissue and had gotten stuck to something else (can't remember what!).

Since then I've remained unable to have children (which I'm fine with) and my Husband had a vasectomy so I didn't have to go back on birth control as I've never found one I got on with... I'm still covered in stretch marks from my first pill experience in my late-teens! So over the years I've worked on my health and managed to get my cycle from unruly and unpredictable to a steady 35 day average.

However, once I hit my 40's I started having terrible ovulation pain on my right hand side, every scan I've had looks fine, but now the pain is almost constant and my periods have gone from manageable to crippling. I've suspected it's the endo but it's taken me until this year to find a GP who would listen. She agrees it's probably adhesions and endo causing the problems - last week I had an ultrasound which of course showed nothing, which we expected and I'm seeing her next week to discuss referral to GYN. We've discussed the waiting times and she's asked me to consider contraceptives to shut off ovulation/periods until I can get in for another lap. This won't resolve the constant pain in my right hand side, but it mean less disruption from my periods. I'm completely torn as it's taken me years to get my cycles in order and I'm having flash-backs of weight gain, low libido and acne!

I know everyone's experience on BC is different but I guess I'm after some reassurance that there are good aspects of going back on contraceptives? Also, I'm in peri-menopause so I imagine that's going to play a role somewhere along the line!

Endo sucks!

[orangeblossoms]

Hi! I’m currently taking dienogest (brand name Zalkya I believe?) at the request of my gynaecologist, which is a progesterone only pill, and it’s made a massive difference for me, to the point where I absolutely cannot be off it because of how intense the pain is. I didn’t notice any major negative side effects besides from becoming sweaty quite easily (which sucks!) but I did find it helped lessen the pain (it isn’t gone, but definitely more manageable) and it actually helped clear my acne. Just thought I’d share my experience! I was on the combined pill (gedarel) before and that made a much more minimal difference. As far as I’m aware, dienogest is used more specifically for endo as well

I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you

[TogetherWeAreStrong Moderator Endometriosis UK]

OhEmGee80 thank you for contributing and I think orangeblossoms response is invaluable, it has been a long time since I used a contraceptive as a form of treatment, however, when I did, it always gave some kind of relief especially when I was aware of some of the side effects. Let us know what your experience is