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When Life Is a Pain

The Facts on Endometriosis

By Carma Haley

According to Dr. Michael, it is important to understand how endometriosis works in order to offer a treatment that is effective and sufficient. "Endometriosis is fed by estrogen," says Dr. Michael. "Estrogen is the hormone that a woman's body has a surge of each month that causes the uterine lining to thicken. Then, the estrogen level goes down and they have their period. If you take away the estrogen, the endometrial glands starve; they atrophy. That's where the treatment comes from – starving the endometrial glands of estrogen."

The degree of the endometriosis, as well as the area affected, will determine what type of treatment will be offered. "One of the most common therapies for the treatment of endometriosis, especially if the woman's condition is a mild to moderate one, is oral hormone suppressant medication," says Dr. Michael. "When taken, these medications will suppress the level of estrogen in a woman's body and decrease the amount of tissue that is affected with each monthly cycle. With these hormone suppressant medications, a woman can find a good amount of relief from the pain and discomfort of the endometriosis. However, these medications do not cure the condition, and oftentimes a woman will still require additionl treatments if and when the condition worsens. Right now, all we have are suppressive therapies – we don't have a cure."

Want to see more?

• Safeguard Your Fertility: 6 Simple Steps
• Making Sense of PCOS: Answers to Common Questions
• The Painful Truth: Living With Endometriosis
• Talk about it!