Endometriosis - does the pill help?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I strongly suspect I have endometriosis and I was wondering if going on the pill might help.

I suffer from extremely painful periods some months. I have naproxen on prescription, on bad days have to take the max dose plus paracetamol to bring the pain down to a level where I can just about function and even with that level of medication I had to come home from work about 2 months ago because I couldn't manage to sit in my office chair. I also suffer from bad ovulation pain.

I am going to make an appointment to see my GP and I suspect he will suggest going on the pill. I am not a great fan of hormonal contraception but it may be the lesser of two evils.

Have people found the pill helpful?

Hi there -
I've been through this and from my expereinces they probably will suggest the pill and it does help some people. Something that seems to work better however is the coil - specifically the hormone releasing one. People with endo have had really good results from this as it released hormones straight into the area it needs to affect and the hormone levels are lower as they don't have to travel through your entire body getting diluted before they reach the bits you want them too!
They may also offer you a laparoscopy which is where they send a camera in to have a look, wierdly not the route you would imagine but by making two tiny holes - one in your belly button and one kind of in line with your appendix but over to one side. You get knocked out for this so don't worry. For me a laparoscopy was the best place to start and I pushed for it cos I wanted to know for sure what was going on - not to just end up on the pill for years not really knowing for sure. If they find endo tissue during the laparoscopy they burn it off, which makes a huge improvement to people pain levels.
They would probably offer you a scan before this point to check for polyps on your ovaries and this is a painless simple procedure but doesn't show up endo tissue.

I've had all of the above including trying the pill and the coil - none of it has worked for me but I am a bit special!! I had a blood clot when I had my son so am limited to the types of hormone treatment I can have, and have M.E. too so some things make me feel worse and I have to balance out the pros and cons but I do have friends with endo who have had success with all of the above.

Sorry for long reply - hope its helpful! Good luck!

CBA

It could help up to a point (it did help me) but the pill will only mask the symptoms. That was only too apparant when the lap type surgery was done (saw the photos at my follow up appt a week post op).

I would suggest a visit to the GP with a view to getting an urgent referral to a gynaecologist. You need to see a gynae however, with a specialist interest in endo i.e someone who has had vast experience in treating it.

All your symptoms to me suggest endometriosis.

Read www.endo.org.uk and educate yourself further. Knowledge is power after all and being yourself informed will help you with regards to treatment decisions.

Thanks to you both I will do some more research then make a GP's appointment. I will hunt for an appropriate Gynae in London to make sure I am referred to someone with proper knowledge of endo.

Just remembered the name of the type of coil that seems to work for people with endo is the merina coil - might be spelt slightly differently.
Good luck!

Thanks for the info

Just had my hospital appointment. Consultant recommended laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and the coil mentioned by embermember. He said the pill would only be a short term solution. Can't say I'm looking forward to the procedure, but not being in pain almost every day will be a bonus!!!! Anyone have any idea how long after the consultation the procedure takes place? I expect each health authority will be different anyway.

Machakos best of luck with your treatment