The treatment for endometriosis should always be done according to the guidance of a gynaecologist. It aims to relieve symptoms of the disease especially pain, bleeding and infertility. For this reason, the doctor may recommend various medications and contraceptives depending on the severity of the symptoms and in some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Treatment prescribed by the doctor takes into account the age of the woman, whether she wants to become pregnant or not, the location of the disease and the severity of the symptoms experineced.
1. Treatment with medicines
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Treatment with medicines which is also known as clinical treatment aims to relieve symptoms of endometriosis. The doctor may prescribe use of the contraceptive pill which will prevent ovulation and inflammation of the of the endometrial tissue that is growing in the uterus. This treatment should be done to women who do not desire to get pregnant because the menstrual cycle is usually interrupted.
When treating endometriosis using medicines, the following drugs may be prescribed by the gynaecologist.
- Oral contraceptive or Mirena IUD: This helps in regulation and reduction of menstrual flow hence preventing growth of the endometrial tissue inside and outside the uterus.
- Anti-hormonal remedies: They include Zoladex or Danazol which purpose to reduce the production of oestrogen from the ovaries. This will prevent occurrence of the menstrual cycle and development of endometriosis.
For women who may want to get pregnant, it is recommended that they use analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen which will reduce inflammation hence reducing pain and bleeding, especially during the menstrual period.
2. Natural treatment
Natural treatment of endometriosis is usually done as a method to complement the remedies that have been prescribed by the doctor. It aims to relive symptoms especially those of colic and abdominal discomfort. Therefore, the affected woman consume teas that contain analgesic and antispasmodic properties such as ginger tea mixed with chamomile as well as lavender tea.
Moreover, it is also important that the woman consumes a diet rich in omega 3 because it reduces inflammation and consequently reducing the symptoms of endometriosis. It is also advisable to regularly practice physical activity as it will help in improving the menstrual cycle hence controlling the intensity of the symptoms.
3. Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is done when the drug remedies are not effective or when the symptoms become severe and interfere with the woman’s quality of life. Surgery is performed when the endometrial tissue is overgrown outside the uterus and it comes with intense pain or infertility problems.
Surgery aims to remove the endometrial tissue which is implanted outside the uterus, hence reducing symptoms and increasing the chances of getting pregnant. In mild cases of the disease, when there is little endometrial tissue outside the uterus, surgery is done using laparoscopy. In this procedure, it is not necessary to remove organs and the recovery time is also shorter.
When endometriosis is very sever ad the woman does not wish to become pregnant, the doctor may recommend performance of definitive surgery. This is whereby both the uterus and the ovaries are removed, a procedure known as hysteroscopy.
Consequences of endometriosis
The side effects of endometriosis vary depending on its location and whether it is mild, moderate or severe. The main consequences of endometriosis that has been untreated include:
- Formation of adhesions in the abdominal organs
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Infertility
- Impairment of organs such as the ovaries, uterus, bladder and intestines
Endometriosis is characterized by growth of the endometrial tissue within the abdomen. This is the tissue that grows inside the uterus and prepares to receive the embryo and facilitate the development of the foetus during pregnancy. When this does not happen, the endometrium is shed off causing menstruation.
In endometriosis, this tissue can adhere to the outside of the ovaries, uterus, bladder, intestine and anywhere else near this region. It is responsive to hormones and may cause bleeding during menstruation. Due to this, it may also be accompanied by symptoms such as cramps during menstruation, and in the most severe cases, there may be inflammation and adhesions because this ”menstruation” does not flow.
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