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Endometriosis and the Pill

© Debbi Carter

It is thought that between 10% and 20% of the female population of the US between the ages of 20 and 45, suffers with some degree of endometriosis. Endometriosis is the growth of endometrium like tissues outside of the uterus. Most commonly, the growth happens around the fallopian tubes, ovaries, on the exterior of the uterus, and in the pelvic area. There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are ways to help control it, and birth control pill use is one.

Endometriosis grows when estrogen is released in the first half of a woman's cycle. So, birth control pills low in estrogen and high in progesterone are most often recommended for minimal to mild endo. By stopping the hormonal cycle of growth, endometriosis development is slowed down until pregnancy is desired, or until the woman reaches menopause.

Birth control pills can also be used to control re-growth of endo after surgery is performed to remove it. For many women, the pill shrinks the endo, which helps to relieve many symptoms associated with it. However, the use of birth control pills will not cure endometriosis.

If the pill is taken to control endo, then it is taken continuously. This means that the woman only takes the active pills, and not the placebo pills. This also means that the woman will not have a period, but may experience some spotting as her body adjusts to the pill. To prevent the reoccurrence of endo after surgical removal, all the active pills are taken, followed by about four days of placebo pills, during which a woman will have a shorter than normal period.

The type of pill that is used to control or prevent endometriosis contains low levels of estrogen and high levels of progesterone and androgen. By lowering the estrogen amount, the endo does not get the amount needed to grow. It also tricks the woman's body into thinking it is pregnant. This level of synthetic hormone leads to other problems though, usually in the form of side effects.

For some women with mild symptoms of endometriosis, the side effects from using the pill are much worse then the symptoms of the endo. Birth control pills that control endo can cause acne, weight gain, and facial hair growth. Weighing the possible side effects of the pill against the current symptoms of endometriosis can help a woman in deciding if pill therapy is her best option.

Some of the side effects of the pill, like facial hair growth, can be treated by either waxing the area, applying depilatory creams, or with electrolysis. Weight gain can also be controlled, to an extent, by making adjustments to diet and exercise. Acne, when caused by the pill, can be much more difficult to treat and control. The best option, if acne is a side effect, is to see a qualified dermatologist.