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Endometriosis
Patient Education
Patient Guide
Common Medications and Treatments to Treat Endometriosis
| Drug/Treatment | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hormonal contraception (birth control pills, transdermal patches, vaginal ring) | Manages the hormones that stimulate the endometrial implants to grow, helping them to shrink down and decrease or eliminate the pain of mild to moderate endometriosis |
| Medroxyprogesterone injection | Decreases or stops menstruation, thereby shrinking implants and reducing symptoms (Side effect: can cause weight gain and depression) |
| Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists | Medications block production of hormones that stimulate the ovaries, inhibiting menses and decreasing estrogen levels which shrink the endometrial implants; Remission may last years after treatment (Side effects: menopausal symptoms may occur such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive) |
| Laparoscopy | Finds and removes implants, adhesions, and cysts, or destroys implants with lasers |
| Hysterectomy | Uterus, cervix, and ovaries are removed in severe cases when pregnancy is no longer desired or a possible option |
| NSAIDS (nonsteroidal pain medication | Gives symptomatic relief and decreases swelling (does not treat the implants, but improves daily functioning) |
| Warm baths/heating pad | Decreases discomfort by relaxing pelvic muscles; Decreases cramps |
Written by Barbara Hales, M.D.
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