What Are the Treatments for Endometriosis?

Endometrium tissue makes up the lining of the uterus. Its growth in other areas characterizes endometriosis. These endometrial implants might appear in the fallopian tubes, ovaries or pelvic tissue. The displaced tissue continues to act as it would during the menstrual cycle by breaking down and bleeding. The blood has nowhere to go and causes irritation, cysts, scar tissue and pelvic pain. Conventional treatments include pain medications, hormone therapy and surgery. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, certain alternative therapies might help; talk to a health care professional experienced in alternative medicine to design a treatment regimen.

Pain Medication

• Doctors usually recommend you take over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin. If the maximum doses do not alleviate the pain, talk to your doctor about the possibility of using something stronger.

Hormone Therapy

• Hormone therapy helps regulate hormone production, which controls your menstrual cycle and promotes the growth of endometrial tissue. These therapies are usually quite effective but symptoms can return once you stop using them.

  Hormonal birth control shortens periods and reduces the formation of excess tissue growth. This helps lessen or eliminate the pain of mild to moderate cases of endometriosis.

  Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) medications block the menstrual flow and significantly decrease estrogen levels. These treatments will essentially put endometriosis into remission for the duration of the treatment and up to years afterwards. Since its estrogen-lowering effects create artificial menopause, you will experience side effects like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Your doctor might prescribe low-dose estrogen to counteract these effects.

  Danazol acts similarly to Gn-RH by stopping menstruation, but it creates undesirable side effects like acne and facial hair. For these reasons, it is not the first choice for treatment.

  Depo-Provera stops menstruation and the formation of misplaced endometrial tissue. Side effects can include weight gain, reduced bone production and depression.

  Aromatase inhibitors, normally used for breast cancer, keep certain hormones from converting into estrogen; they also keep the implants from producing their own estrogen, which they need for growth.

Herbs

• Chasteberry has a long history of use in treating female hormonal problems; take 400mg once a day in the morning. Evening primrose oil addresses symptoms of hormonal imbalance and stress; take 1,000mg daily. Several supplements address inflammation and include green tea (250 to 500mg daily), cat's claw (20mg three times a day), bromelain, which also treats pain (40mg three times a day) and turmeric (300mg three times a day). You can pick one; taking all of them is not necessary.

Homeopathy

• Homeopathy is a highly individualized system of medicine based on many factors. Talking to a professional homeopath is the best way to determine the most effective treatments for you. Menstruation accompanied by heaviness and heat might respond to belladonna. Calcarea phosphoricum treats excessive menstrual bleeding and related backaches. Chamomilla works best for heavy,painful periods with dark, clotted blood. Cimifuga racemosa treats intense pain felt from hip to hip. Take these remedies as directed on the label or by a homeopath.

Other Natural Methods

• Natural hormone creams like progesterone can regulate excess estrogen but you should use these only under the supervision of an experienced health care practitioner. Acupuncture can ease pain and balance out hormone production while massage might ease pelvic discomfort. Kegel exercises can help strengthen the pelvic muscles and relieve symptoms.

Surgery

• Trouble getting pregnant or severe pain might call for surgery to remove the endometrial implants and scar tissue without disturbing your reproductive organs. A severe case of endometriosis can require a hysterectomy and/or removal of the ovaries. A hysterectomy on its own may be sufficient but removing the ovaries guarantees the condition will never return