Treat Endometriosis Using Birth Control

How Does Endometriosis Affect Women?

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside of your uterus, where it doesn’t belong. With endometriosis, the tissue tends to grow on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outside of your uterus, as well as your internal organs.

Endometriosis is a fairly common health problem that can cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, and even make it more difficult to become pregnant. In addition to birth control, some contraceptives have shown to be helpful in reducing the pain often associated with endometriosis. 

How Does Birth Control Treat Endometriosis?

Combined hormonal contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestins can prevent or decrease the pain caused by endometriosis by inhibiting ovulation and natural reproductive hormone cycling. Using birth control stops the typical growth and shedding of the uterine lining and the ups-and-downs of hormones which cause proliferation and growth of endometrial tissue.

Endometriosis and the Pill

Birth control pills continue to be a popular and viable option for women with endometriosis attempting to manage their pain. Some women with endometriosis appear to do better on high- progestogenic pills.

Treating Endometriosis Without Birth Control

If you’re looking for an alternative to treating endometriosis with birth control, there are other options available. Some of these options include:

Pain Medication 

While they don’t treat endometriosis, pain medications can be used to treat the pain that’s associated with it. If you’re only having mild pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with mild endometriosis-related pain in some patients.

Surgery

Conservative surgery can remove or destroy the endometrial growths, relieve pain, and may allow pregnancy to occur in some cases. 

Seeking Treatment for Endometriosis?

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