Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the uterine lining grow outside of the uterus. That can be on its surface or on other organs, such as the bladder and intestines, forming lesions.
The cells maintain their behavior, however. During each menstrual cycle, the tissue first swells and then breaks down, but outside of your uterus, it has nowhere to go. Left in your pelvic region, the build-up of blood and tissue can lead to significant pain, spotting between periods, and digestive problems.
The growths may cause problems, too:
At Eve Medical of Miami, we specialize in women’s health issues of all types. As March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, our team is here to explain how some types of birth control can treat endometriosis successfully.
Endometriosis, because it interferes with menstruation, can also lead to problems getting pregnant, so it’s important to balance treatment for symptoms with your desire to get pregnant. If you’re not trying to get pregnant, hormonal birth control is usually the first-line treatment for endometriosis.
A daily pill or a hormone shot can be used for extended-cycle (only a few periods a year) or continuous-cycle (no periods) birth control. Both help stop heavy bleeding and spotting and reduce or eliminate endometrial pain.
You do need to take the pill every day at the same time, which some women forget to do. In these cases, other forms of birth control are more effective.
The progesterone-only form of the hormonal IUD protects against pregnancy for up to seven years, and it also helps the pain and bleeding from endometriosis — but the effects don’t last that long. That makes it a less desirable option, but if you have trouble remembering to take the pill every day, it may work better for you.
If you have endometriosis but you’re trying to get pregnant, your doctor may prescribe a GnRH agonist instead of estrogen or progesterone. This drug stops your body from making the hormones that control all aspects of the menstrual cycle and the development of endometriosis.
GnRH does cause a temporary menopause, but it also helps control the endometrial growths. Once you stop taking it, your menstrual cycle returns, and you’ll have a better chance of becoming pregnant.
If you’re struggling with the pain of endometriosis, birth control may be an effective treatment option. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with Eve Medical of Miami, call our office at 305-707-6030, or request an appointment online with us today.
