Treatment for Endometriosis

Conventional approaches

• Anti-inflammatory drugs -- for pain relief only
• Combined oral contraceptive pill -- taken continuously for 6 months, no breaks, to stop the periods
• Progestogens -- taken continuously for 6 months to stop the periods
• GnRH analogues -- these drugs are given to interfere with the fluctuations of the cyclical female hormones. A state of "pseudo-menopause" is created and any menopausal side effects can be counteracted by taking hormone replacement therapy
• Surgery -- is the most effective treatment. It involve laser, diathermy or excision of endometriosis patches (also known as deposits). In some cases, especially if fertility is no longer an issue and in severe debilitating cases of endometriosis hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of the womb and ovaries) is recommended. In 95% of cases the surgical treatment of endometriosis is performed laparoscopically, leading to a faster recovery, minimal skin scarring, short hospital stay (day case or one overnight stay following surgery) compared to laparotomy (open surgery)

Complimentary approaches

• Dietary changes -- a diet to improve liver function and reduce oestrogen levels would include the following: plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (vitamin C and caretinoids); reduced fat and protein, including dairy produce, fatty meats and fast foods; avoidance of artificial additives, caffeine and alcohol; plenty of fibre and water
• Nutritional supplements -- fish oils (omega 3 fatty acids)
• Herbal medicine -- Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry), Angelica sinesis (dong quai), Dioscorea villosa (wild yam), Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), Silibum marianum (milk thistle), Arctuim lappa (burdock)
• Homeopathy -- Lachesis, Graphite, Nux vomica
• Chinese herbal medicine -- Dan shen (sage), Chi shao (red peony root), Tao ren (persica seed), Hong hua (safflower), San leng (bur-reed rhizome)
• Acupuncture
• Group therapy -- discussion of problems and treatments with women in similar situations in a support group scenario