Depending on what symptoms you have, medication may be an important part of how you manage your symptoms.
Common examples of medication used to manage symptoms for endometriosis can include:
- Painkillers: The most commonly perscribed class of pain killers for period pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are thought to reduce pain by preventing the release of molecules called prostraglandins, which are released as part of the inflammatory process in response to cell damage. When prostaglandin levels are in excess, they can cause a lot of cause pain. Typical examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and mefenamic acid. Other classes of painkillers can be used to manage endometriosis pain, however it is uncommon to be perscribed painkillers outside of the NSAID class, for long term use.
- Consistent use of strong NSAIDs, such as naproxen can sometimes upset the lining of the stomach and eventually cause stomach ulcers. Proton Pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be coprescribed to patients who regularly take NSAIDs, to prevent this.
- Hormonal Contraception: Hormonal contraception is the firstline of treatment for endometriosis. It is thought to reduce the amount of oestrogen produced in the body which prevents the further growth of endometrial lesions and in turn, should help to reduce the symptoms of endometriosis. Hormonal treatments effectively induce a state of mock-pregnancy or mock-menopause, depending on which kind of treatment you are offered. The mock state is reversible, once treatment is stopped. Examples of hormonal treatment include combined oral contraceptives (COCs, also known as ‘the pill’), the progestin only pill (POP), Gonadotropin Receptor Hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists and Testoserone derivatives. Different hormonal treatments are known to cause a range of side effects in different people, so be sure to bring up any concerns you may have about the kind of hormone you are offered with your doctor!
All medications come with side effects, and unfortunately, hormonal treatment and painkillers are no exception to the rule. It is important to monitor your progress on these medications and consider how effective they are at managing your symptoms. If you feel they aren’t working as well as you hoped, don’t be afraid to bring up these concerns with your doctor!
Your body, your choice.
Remember, it’s your body: you are the only one who can live in it, so you should be able to have the final say on the choices that affect you and your body. A major part of self-advocacy is standing up for yourself when your needs and concerns are not being met. If you ever feel as though a clinician you interact with does not respect and listen to your concerns, please find another one who will.