Updated January 01, 2012.
Pharmaceutical treatments for endometriosis include GnRH agonists and danazol, both drugs that cause chemical menopause. Other drugs such as birth control pills (progestin-only pills or shots) may help shrink endometriosis lesions by stopping ovulation.
One of the drawbacks to hormonal treatments is that they can cause significant side effects and endometriosis often recurs after the treatment is stopped.
Another treatment option is laparoscopic surgery that removes or destroys endometriosis lesions and reconstructs affected organs that may be damaged. Pain may be relieved by this type of surgery and if fertility is an issue it may be corrected. In more severe cases a laparotomy may be required. A laparotomy requires a larger incision and longer recovery time than a laparoscopy.
In the most severe cases, or when other treatments fail, a woman can choose to have a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oorphoectomy (removal of the uterus and ovaries). During the hysterectomy the surgeon will also remove all areas of endometriosis lesions that are visualized. The decision to have a hysterectomy is one that should be carefully considered. Having a hysterectomy will cause surgical menopause in most cases, and there is no guarantee that endometriosis will not return following a hysterectomy.
It's important for women to understand the consequences of hysterectomy before making this choice.
Some women are able to treat endometriosis with prescription and/or over-the-counter pain relievers. Alternative treatments include nerve blocks and acupuncture, as well as more non-traditional alternative treatments including herbal remedies, aromatherapy, dietary modifications, vitamin supplements, relaxation therapy, allergy management, and immunotherapy.
For more information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis, or to find support groups in your area visit the Endometriosis Association site.
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Endometriosis Treatments
Women with endometriosis have a variety of treatment options from support groups for pain management to surgery. The treatment a woman chooses depends on whether her fertility and the ability to become pregnant are important to her.Pharmaceutical treatments for endometriosis include GnRH agonists and danazol, both drugs that cause chemical menopause. Other drugs such as birth control pills (progestin-only pills or shots) may help shrink endometriosis lesions by stopping ovulation.
One of the drawbacks to hormonal treatments is that they can cause significant side effects and endometriosis often recurs after the treatment is stopped.
Another treatment option is laparoscopic surgery that removes or destroys endometriosis lesions and reconstructs affected organs that may be damaged. Pain may be relieved by this type of surgery and if fertility is an issue it may be corrected. In more severe cases a laparotomy may be required. A laparotomy requires a larger incision and longer recovery time than a laparoscopy.
In the most severe cases, or when other treatments fail, a woman can choose to have a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oorphoectomy (removal of the uterus and ovaries). During the hysterectomy the surgeon will also remove all areas of endometriosis lesions that are visualized. The decision to have a hysterectomy is one that should be carefully considered. Having a hysterectomy will cause surgical menopause in most cases, and there is no guarantee that endometriosis will not return following a hysterectomy.
It's important for women to understand the consequences of hysterectomy before making this choice.
Some women are able to treat endometriosis with prescription and/or over-the-counter pain relievers. Alternative treatments include nerve blocks and acupuncture, as well as more non-traditional alternative treatments including herbal remedies, aromatherapy, dietary modifications, vitamin supplements, relaxation therapy, allergy management, and immunotherapy.
For more information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis, or to find support groups in your area visit the Endometriosis Association site.
Previous page Endometriosis Symptoms
Page 1, 2
More About Endometriosis
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