Treatments
Currently there is no cure for endometriosis but
effective treatment is available.
Oral Contraceptives
When taking the
pill continously, it will stop your periods, putting you in a state called psuedo-pregnancy. Psuedo-Pregnancy is believed to reduce the size of the
endometrial implants. Doctors usually prescribe continous pills for
six to nine months, then a break for a normal period. The break is believed
to reduce spotting during treatment.
Surgical Techniques
To make a diagnoses of endometriosis a laparoscopy
is required. A Laser laparoscopy
is a rather minor surgical procedure used to vaporize, or electrically
burn, endometrial tissue and to remove blockages from
the body. Usually a laparoscopy can be done in an oupatient service sometimes,
it may require a one night stay at a hospital. the recovery time
is quick. A laparoscopy will leave three or 4 small incisions.
A laser laparotomyis
another type of surgical procedure usually done to remove dense or larger
sites of endometrial tissue that couldn't be removed during a laparoscopy.
This procedure is much more extensive and the recovery time is much longer.
Induction Of Temporary Menopause.
A woman suffering from endometriosis can be
put in a state of false menopause for
approximately six months in order to halt the growth of endometrial
implants. There are a couple potent medications commonly used, and all have
significant possible menopausal like side effects to consider. the most
common are Lupron and Depo-Provera others are:
GnRH angonist
These are synthetic versions of gonadotropin-releasing
hormones. and are used to stop oestrogen
production,which in turn stops the growth of endometrial tissue. Danazol (danocrine)a
synthetic androgen that is derived from the hormone testosterone
is . This drug is prescribed to counteract the
effects of oestrogen and interfere with the production of
FSH
and LH ,
which halts the progress of endometriosis. Common side effects of GnRH
drugs are:
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Hot Flashes
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Headaches
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Insomnia
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Vaginal Dryness
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Emotional mood swings
Other side effects are:
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Depression
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Fatigue
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Short-term memory loss
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Nausea
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Sweating
Alternative Treatment
Alternative treatment has been proven very effective
on some women. Some of the alternative treatments used to treat endometriosis
are:
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Chinese Medicine
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Homeopathy
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Acupuncture
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Accupressure
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Massage Therapy