Seeking Advice on Iuds and Endometriosis

Hi K.. I was diagnosed with endometriosis before my son was born and he is now almost 9 years old. I had such severe pain I could not function before or during my period. I almost had surgery to remove it but that didn't work out. Then I decided to try alternative medicine. I started going to a guy who practiced chinese medicine. He did cupping and acupuncture on me. I did this for about three years. It was amazing. There were times I had no pain at all during my period. I am now regular and I can actually function and not have to stay in bed. I also did not want to stay on the pill so after I had kids I never went back on it. Anyway, that's what worked for me. You do have options....always.

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I have a history of severe endo and fibroid tumors. The fibroids were found with an ultrasound, but the endo wasn't diagnosed until I had a myomectomy for the fibroids. During the myo the doc did endo abilation, but informed me that it wouldn't be the end of it. He put me on birth control pills to quell it until I wanted to get pregnant. I stopped taking the BCP 18 months ago (no pregnancy yet), but as soon as I did the horrible pain, swelling and bleeding came back. I lived with it for 9 months before I sought help from a traditional Chinese Medicine specialist. I have been seeing her for about 9 months.

We finally started trying in earnest to get pregnant at the first of the year and she made some modifications to my treatments and herb formula. I also started eating a gluten free and dairy free diet. For the first time I had cycles that were 98% pain free and "normal." The only major change was the diet change.

Consequently, during my research I found that eating 2-3 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses a day also helped with endo symptoms.

Just other alternatives for you to consider that are natural.

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I don't have endometriosis but I can tell you my experience with the Mirena IUD very recently. I found the insertion itself was exetremely painful although some don't. They say that a small percentage of hormones is released into your utuerus. So, they'll tell you you won't get much into your blood stream and shouldn't have any mood swings or weight gain. I was a case where I immediately began to have mood swings and two months into it, I felt it was severe enought to take Xanax almost daily. Not to mention I went up a size in clothes. My doctor's office reassured me it was not the IUD. After 4 months of nothing getting better and having light periods that lasted 10 days with only 2 week breaks in between, I changed doctors and had it taken out. My new doctor said a small percentage of women will experience what I did and obviously my body is very sensative. The mood swings stoopped overnight and I just lost 1 pound without diet or exercise. I have tried many hormonal birth controls that do the exact same thing to my body. Our last resort now is to check out a Non-scalpal vasectomy procedure. Most women have great success with IUDs, I'm probably a worst case scenario. But I just want you to know if you try it and experience what I did, you're not crazy.

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Hi K..

The other responder is correct that pregnancy doesn't make endo "go away". One of my sisters had no signs of endo until an emergency hysterectomy caused by endo. She has three children.

I have endometriosis and had a couple of very large cysts removed a few years ago. I treat with continuous birth control pills. Perhaps your body will react differently this time if you try hormones (pills) again? It is a great relief to have a period only three times a year, roughly within your control as to when they happen. :) I have very strong periods, so I have to use full strength hormone pills -- the patch or low dose or other forms do not work for me to suppress.

Also, if you're done having babies, there is this article which talks briefly about alternatives to hysterectomy: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/03/healthmag.hysterecto...

Good luck!

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I've recently begun seeing a naturopathic physician for fertility and hormone issues. I didn't even really know what a naturopath was before, but they are amazing and have a whole different world of natural cures - rather than just treating symptoms. It can require a lot of commitment, though. She put me on an anti-inflammatory diet. I was tired of drugs and all the masks of regular medicine. It is just something to consider. They have a wealth of knowledge. My naturopath is in Hillsboro, OR, and is basically a family physician, but specializes in women's issues (www.hillsboronaturalmedicine.com). You might look around for a good one in your area. Good luck!

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I am a 41 year old female who had endometriosis 7 years ago. I had the real bad abdominal pain who spent the first 3 days of my menstrual cycle curled up in a ball on my bed. I went to the doctor and told him my problem. He asked if I was done having children. I told him yes. I asked him for a partial hysterectomy, which meant leaving the ovaries. He had no problem doing it just to get me out of the pain. IT was the best decision I ever made in my life. If you are not going to have any more children, talk to your OB/GYN about haing a partial hysterectomy. By having a partial hysterectomy and leaving your ovaries it will not put you into menopause.

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K.,

I don't have endometriosis so I can't tell you if it would help or not but I can tell you that I have had an IUD for almost 5 years now and am a true believer of it. I did not suffer from moodiness or weight gain after having the IUD placed. I don't seem to have the typical monthly mood swings that I had before either (don't know if that is the IUD or just mind or matter but it's still nice). I did have some pretty bad cramps for a few days after the insertion and for the next couple of cycles but nothing that some ibuprofen didn't help with. The greatest "side effect" is that I have not had to deal with my period since about 2 months after having the IUD placed (oh darn...LOL).

I am using the Mirena and again LOVE it. I couldn't take the pill because it triggered migraines for me every month and other forms just weren't the best for me either. The other thing to consider is that if you may want to have any more children in the future the IUD is easily removed and you can get still get pregnant fairly easily (I have 2 friends who did just that).

I've worked as a medical transcriptionist for years now and I have heard that it can be helpful for endometriosis. What I would do if I were you is to sit down and discuss ALL of your options with your doctor and then make an informed decision.

I hope that this helps a little bit. If everything checks out with your doctor then I would say that an IUD is a wonderful option for birth control.

Take care and good luck,

T.

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I took the pill to control mine when first diagnosed. You start a new pack every three weeks. It made me less than pleasant to be around so I had the surgery. Best thing ever! It is supposed to clear ya out for 2-5 years but I had it 10 years ago and still doing well. I feel it every once in awhile but only a mild tinge.

I think each person is different and you just have to see what works best for you.

I also wanted to add that if left untreated, it can seriously damage other parts of your body. I ended up with a rare (only 250 in history) medical condition directly related to endo.

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I have endometriosis. I drink XanGo juice and it's been incredible. I had surgery in the past but I didn't enjoy it. www.makebigdreamshappen.com I've been drinking it for six months and it's really helped with my period and pms. Very little cramping now. My husband sure loves me for it.

D. B

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First of all, you might consider seeking out a new gynecologist, someone who regularly sees endometriosis patients. Endometriosis never "goes away" after having babies, rather being pregnant keeps the endometriosis in "check", when your hormones return to normal post pregnancy, the endometriosis symptoms will return. Typically endometriosis is confirmed by visualization at laparoscopy and often the gyn will use a laser to "zap" what he sees. An IUD goes inside the uterus, endometriosis is a condition that takes place "outside" the uterus, so it wouldn't have any effect or "bother" endometriosis. Usually, because endometriosis is a condiditon effected by hormones, physicians will prescribe birth control pills in order to control the hormones and thus the symptoms of endometriosis-much like being pregnant. The best birth control pills for endometriosis would be continuous, where you would not get a period. I used to sell a pharmaceutical product for endometriosis and called on ob/gyns daily who treated patients. Good luck!

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While the hormonal effect of the mirena is mostly local (ie most don't get the weight gain etc) I would discourage my patients from using an IUD if they have endometriosis. I would talk to your oby/gyn but i doubt she would prescribe one given your condition. IUD's work by irritating the wall of the uterus to make in inhospitable to sperm/embryo. You should look into the femcap for birth control. it is a smaller more effective version of a diaphram and my patients have found it to be more comfortable. good luck!

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There is a new IUD devise that is made of plastic. I am not sure how well an IUD will work with Eendometriosis. I too have this disease. From my understanding is that the hormone birthcontrol is best with controling the discomfort of Endo. There is tons of information on line about Endometriosis. I am not sure if you are in ORegon or Washington, but there is a clinic/doctor that specializes in Endometriosis in Bend OR. I cant remember the name of the clinic off hand, but I found it online when I found out I had it a few years back. Do you know what stage you are? I really feel for you this is so painful at times!!!! I wish you hte best of luck and see if you can find this guy online!!

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