For women of child
bearing age, endometriosis can be a nightmare. This chronic,
incurable condition affects millions of women, causing them a great
deal of pain and discomfort.
Although there is no
known cure for endometriosis, there are a number of treatments
available which can eliminate or reduce symptoms. The type of
treatment prescribed will depend upon the severity of your
endometriosis symptoms.
As this article will
explore, birth control pills such as Yasmin are becoming an
increasingly popular treatment for many endometriosis sufferers.
Endometriosis
Description: What Exactly is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a
condition that results in an overgrowth of tissue in the uterus.
While this tissue, called endometrium, is necessary in the womb, when
the tissue grows outside of the womb and spreads to other parts of
the body, endometriosis occurs.
Endometrial tissue can
spread to the bladder, bowels, ovaries, or other areas surrounding
the uterus. This spreading tissue is often referred to as lesions,
tumors, nodules or growths. Although endometriosis can also spread to
other areas of the body, that is very rare. Endometriosis is usually
confined to the region surrounding the uterus.
Even though
endometriosis growths are usually benign, they can still cause pain
and discomfort in the area where they occur.
During her period, a
woman discharges excess tissue and blood through the uterus. In
endometriosis patients, the tissue located outside the uterus cannot
be discharged. Over time the amount of tissue increases, resulting in
pain and an increase in severity of the endometriosis symptoms.
As the endometriosis
worsens, the affected tissue area can experience both scarring and
inflammation. In more severe cases, the endometrium tissue can block
the area around the ovaries and fallopian tubes, sometimes resulting
in infertility or extreme difficulty in becoming pregnant.
What
are My Chances of Getting Endometriosis?
Although endometriosis
can affect any female, some women have a higher risk of contracting
the condition. Having one or more of the following factors can
increase your endometriosis risk:
- Heredity.
If a family member has endometriosis, your chances of suffering from
endometriosis at some point are increased.
- Irregular
Cycle. A 28-day cycle is considered average. Women who menstruate
more frequently on a regular basis have a greater chance of getting
endometriosis.
- Age
at onset of period. Women who begin menstruating at a young age are
more susceptible to developing endometriosis.
- Heavy
bleeding. Do you experience excessive bleeding on a regular basis
during menstruation? If you change your pad or tampon on an hourly
basis, you are likely bleeding more than what is considered normal.
- Length
of period. While the number of days a period lasts varies widely
among women, five days is considered the average. If your period
lasts more than seven days, your chance of suffering from
endometriosis is increased.
Common
Endometriosis Symptoms
The following list
contains some symptoms frequently associated with endometriosis.
Having one or more of the following symptoms does not guarantee the
presence of endometriosis, only an increased likelihood. Only a
physician can properly diagnose your condition.
- Infertility
- Heavy
bleeding
- Painful
intercourse
- Extreme
cramps during menstruation
- Fatigue
- Spotting
or “break through” bleeding between menstrual periods
- Discomfort
or pain while urinating or during bowel movements
- Long
periods that last over 7 days
- Pain
or discomfort in the intestinal or pelvic region
- Persistent
lower back pain.
How to
Test for Endometriosis
If you suspect
endometriosis, a visit to your gynecologist or obstetrician is
imperative. It is important to notify your doctor of all
endometriosis symptoms you are experiencing. During the first
consultation, a pelvic exam is usually conducted. A pelvic exam is
helpful in recognizing common signs of endometriosis.
Initially your doctor
may recommend an MRI or ultrasound screening to detect excess tissue
growth within the body. However, there is only one way to definitely
diagnose endometriosis in women: through a procedure called
laparoscopy.
Laparoscopy involves
making a small incision in the abdomen. A tiny illuminated instrument
is then inserted into the incision, allowing the physician to
identify any growths caused by endometriosis. If the tissue can be
properly identified as endometriosis, no further testing is
necessary.
If the doctor cannot
positively identify the tissue as endometriosis, a sampling of the
tissue must be obtained for further study. After the biopsy or tissue
scraping, the sample is then studied under a microscope.
Endometriosis
Treatments
There are a number of
methods used to treat endometriosis symptoms including pain
medications, birth control pills, and surgery. The type of treatment
prescribed will depend upon the severity of the individual
endometriosis case. Over the counter pain killers are often the first
form of treatment recommended by doctors. In mild cases, this may be
enough.
For patients with
moderate endometriosis, birth control pills are commonly prescribed.
Today there are a number of birth control pills on the market that
are highly effective in treating endometriosis.
Yasmin
is one popular brand of birth control pill frequently prescribed for
endometriosis treatment.
Surgery to treat
endometriosis is generally considered a last option reserved for
patients experiencing severe trauma or pain. Depending upon the
severity of pain or size of the endometriosis growths, a laparoscopy
or laparotomy is performed.
Some women with
endometriosis may even choose to have a hysterectomy. Although a
hysterectomy is highly effective in eliminating endometriosis
symptoms, it should only be considered by women who have no intention
of becoming pregnant. During the hysterectomy operation, your
physician may choose to remove the ovaries or fallopian tubes too.
Using
Birth Control Pills to Ease Endometriosis Symptoms
Most
birth
control pills like Yasmin prescribed for endometriosis
treatment are known as “combination pills”. These types of birth
control pills contain both estrogen and progesterone. It is the
combination of these two hormones that stops ovulation in order to
prevent pregnancy.
Birth control pills are
one of the most popular methods for treating endometriosis. The
majority of patients using birth control pills to prevent
endometriosis symptoms can usually take them for years without
experiencing the side effects common to other types of endometriosis
treatments.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
can also be used along with birth control pills. In addition,
patients who have previously had surgery for endometriosis may wish
to take birth control pills after surgery. Future endometriosis
lesions can also be eliminated or reduced through the administration
of birth control pills.
Yasmin is a relatively
new birth control pill that has been proven to reduce endometriosis
cramps and discomfort. Patients taking Yasmin may also experience
lighter bleeding and more regular menstrual periods. Yasmin is the
first birth control pill available that contains drospirenone, the
only progestin hormone not derived from testosterone.
To learn more about
Yasmin and other birth control pills used to treat endometriosis,
visit the
Yasmin
facts page or browse through our
women’s
health articles section.
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