Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Uterine Conditions Endometriosis The Best Birth Control for Endometriosis Hormonal contraceptives can reduce pain and other symptoms By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC LinkedIn Twitter Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 09, 2023 Medically reviewed by Chioma Ndubisi, MD Medically reviewed by Chioma Ndubisi, MD Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Continuous Use Pills IUDs Vaginal Ring Patches Injections Implant Summary Hormonal birth control methods are an effective treatment for endometriosis symptoms. The right one for you depends on factors like your age and overall health, but one thing is universal: Continuous use of whatever birth control option you choose is best for endometriosis. These treatments stop the ovaries from producing key hormones, including estrogen, which can slow the growth of the uterine lining (endometrium) and prevent new lesions. This can reduce endometriosis symptoms like pelvic pain and heavy bleeding (dysmenorrhea). Hormonal contraceptives contain either progestin, estrogen, or both. They are available in pill, IUD, vaginal ring, patch, injection, and implant forms. This article discusses the continuous use of birth control for endometriosis and what hormonal birth control options are either approved or used off-label for this purpose. PhotoAlto / Antoine Arraou / Getty Images Continuous Birth Control Is Best For Endometriosis Hormonal contraceptives are thought to be most effective for endometriosis when they are used continuously—in other words, without a break in hormone dosing—causing periods to stop. This is true whether they contain estrogen and progesterone or are progestin-only. Eliminating periods is helpful for women with endometriosis because symptoms tend to be worse during menstruation. It is also believed that endometriosis can be caused or worsened by menstrual tissue that flows backward through the fallopian tubes and then implants in the abdominal cavity. Some options, like hormonal IUDs, provide consistent hormones. Modified use of the pill, vaginal ring, and patch can do the same. Instead of following the hormone-free week built into the dosing schedule, during which you would have a light period, you use your birth control daily. This suppresses menstruation entirely. Continuous vs. Extended Cycle Birth Control Birth Control Pills Birth control pills are available as combination pills (containing estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only. Different brands are available in different dosages. The pill can help with endometriosis pain because it can make periods shorter or lighter or even eliminate them altogether. It also thins the endometrial lining. Continuous birth control pills like Lybrel or Seasonique may also offer an additional benefit: the elimination or reduction of periods and associated dysmenorrhea linked to endometriosis. A 2017 study concluded that progestin-only pills may be preferable to combination pills for reducing pain and minimizing the extent of endometriosis lesions. Furthermore, progestin-only pills:Can be used by women of any ageDo not increase the risk of thrombosis (blood clots)Are capable of inhibiting ovulation and suppressing menstruation with very few side effects Hormonal IUDs The Mirena and Liletta IUDs are thought to help reduce the amount of blood flow during a woman's period, which may help to reduce endometriosis-related pain. While they are not FDA-approved to treat endometriosis specifically, these IUDs are now FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to five years. Given that these IUDs can be left in place for up to eight years, they can offer the potential to be a long-term endometriosis treatment for women who want to postpone pregnancy. Skyla, also called the mini-IUD, is another option. Skyla releases the progestin levonorgestrel (14 mcg a day) and lasts for three years. The Skyla IUD is smaller than Mirena and Liletta. Vaginal Ring The NuvaRing is a form of contraception that is worn inside the vagina for up to five weeks before needing to be replaced. While the ring is inserted, your body absorbs the hormones estrogen and progestin through your vaginal lining, which works to stop ovulation. Like other hormonal birth control methods, it can help relieve endometriosis symptoms. Non-Contraceptive Medications for Endometriosis Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists are non-contraceptive medications designed to treat endometriosis. They work by reducing signals your ovaries receive to produce estrogen and preventing the body from making some of the hormones responsible for ovulation. Brand names include Orilissa(elagolix) and Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension). Hormonal Patch Birth control patches are small adhesive stickers that deliver hormonal contraception through the skin. They contain the same types of hormones as other hormonal birth control methods and, therefore, work to control symptoms of endometriosis. Xulane is a square patch that contains norelgestromin (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). Twirla is a round patch that contains levonorgestrel (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol. Hormonal Injections Depo Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104 have been shown to reduce pain caused by endometriosis. In 2005, the Depo-subQ Provera 104 injection was approved by the FDA for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain. Can Depo-Provera Treat Endometriosis? Hormonal Implant Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive implant. A healthcare professional places this rod, which is about the size of a matchstick, under the skin of your upper arm. Though it is not known precisely how the progestin (etonogestrel) in Nexplanon helps relieve the symptoms of endometriosis, it is thought to work by suppressing the growth of endometrial tissue, thus causing it to gradually diminish. Progestin may also help reduce the inflammation in the uterus caused by endometriosis, thereby offering some relief from the pain. The implant protects against pregnancy for three years. Summary Hormonal birth control can slow uterine lining growth, reducing endometriosis symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding. Some options are approved by the FDA for such use. Others are not, though still prescribed off-label. Continuous use of hormonal birth control—i.e., without a break between dosing—has been found to be most effective for endometriosis. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Brigham and Women's Hospital. Medical treatments for endometriosis. National Institutes of Health. What are the treatments for endometriosis? Grandi G, Barra F, Ferrero S, et al. Hormonal contraception in women with endometriosis: a systematic review. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019 Feb;24(1):61-70. doi: 10.1080/13625187.2018 Jensen JT, Schlaff W, Gordon K. Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review of the evidence. Fertil Steril. 2018;110(1):137–152.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.012 Casper RF. Progestin-only pills may be a better first-line treatment for endometriosis than combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills. Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):533-536. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.003 Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mirena prescribing information. Nelson AL, Massoudi N. New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US. Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755 WCG FDA News. FDA approves new indication for Pfizer's Depo-SubQ Provera 104. Nexplanon. Frequently asked questions. By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit