The Sunday News
Tine Mataz
HELLO readers. We have come to the end of endometriosis month but I will still be educating you on this condition until the end of April. It is important to dissect this topic. There is no known cure for endometriosis, but there are several treatment options. This is what we are talking about today. It’s important to know that there is no “correct” treatment. Different options will work for different women.
Hormonal treatments
The main focus of treatment is to stop periods because when a female menstruates she produces oestrogen. Oestrogen is not endometriosis’ friend. These are some of the treatments that attempt to reduce oestrogen in the body and shrink endometriosis.
1. Hormonal contraceptives. Birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings help control the hormones responsible for the build-up of endometrial tissue each month. Most women have lighter and shorter menstrual flow when they’re using a hormonal contraceptive. Using hormonal contraceptives — especially continuous cycle regimens — may reduce or eliminate pain for some women.
2. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists. These drugs block the production of ovarian-stimulating hormones, lowering oestrogen levels and preventing menstruation. This causes endometrial tissue to shrink. Because these drugs create an artificial menopause, taking a low dose of oestrogen or progestin along with Gn-RH agonists and antagonists may decrease menopausal side effects, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and bone loss. Your periods and the ability to get pregnant return when you stop taking the medication.
3. Progestin therapy. A variety of progestin therapies, including an intrauterine device (Mirena), contraceptive implant, contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera) or progestin pills, can halt menstrual periods and the growth of endometrial implants, which may relieve endometriosis signs and symptoms.
4. Aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase inhibitors are a class of medicines that reduce the amount of oestrogen in your body. Your doctor may recommend an aromatase inhibitor along with a progestin or combination hormonal contraceptive to treat endometriosis.
Surgery
1. Laparascopy. In laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a slender viewing instrument (laparoscope) through a small incision near your navel and inserts instruments to remove endometrial tissue through another small incision. After surgery, your doctor may recommend taking hormone medication to help improve your pain.
2. Excision surgery. This is the gold standard for treatment of endometriosis. The disease is cut out or destroyed with intense heat. This is the best treatment for endometriosis.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. In a partial hysterectomy, ovaries will be removed. The lack of hormones produced by the ovaries may improve endometriosis pain for some women, but for others, endometriosis that remains after surgery continues to cause symptoms. Early menopause also carries a risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases, certain metabolic conditions and early death.
Remember, hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis but may relieve symptoms.
There are so many ways of treating this disease, but the most important thing is to get it treated and manage the disease. You deserve it.
For more information you can contact me on +263778026402. I am here for you.
