Hormonal Contraceptives as an Effective Endometriosis Treatment

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows in other areas of the body. It causes pain, irregular bleeding, and possible infertility. Endometriosis is a common problem and probably begins about the time that regular menstruation begins. The Depo-subQ Provera 104 injection has been FDA-approved to help treat the pain associated with endometriosis. Other hormonal contraceptives may be helpful as well.

Although more than 80% of U.S. women will use hormonal contraception (like the Pill) sometime during their reproductive years, many do not realize the noncontraceptive benefits of using this type of birth control. Hormonal contraceptives contain either progestin, estrogen, or both.

Some of these contraceptives have shown some ability to diminish endometriosis-related pain. That being said, it is important to note that the main reason to use hormonal contraception is for birth control (to prevent an unintended pregnancy) -- the potential noncontraceptive benefits can be considered when deciding which hormonal birth control method may be best suited for you.

The following is a list of various prescription birth control methods that have been shown to be effective in relieving some of the pain associated with endometriosis:

• Depo Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104: Both have been shown to reduce pain caused by endometriosis. The Depo-subQ Provera 104 injection is the first new remedy in the last 15 years to be FDA-approved for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain. According to research provided by Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo Provera, Depo-subQ Provera 104 treats endometriosis pain as effectively as leuprolide, yet is associated with fewer vasomotor symptoms (like hot flashes or sweats) and significantly less bone loss. In fact, Depo Provera yielded pain relief statistically equivalent to that of leuprolide across all endometriosis-associated areas -- pelvic pain, pelvic tenderness, dysmenorrhea, painful intercourse, and hardening and thickening of tissue.
• Implanon: This contraceptive implant has also been shown to reduce pain due to endometriosis. Though it is not known precisely how the progestin (etonogestrel) in Implanon helps to relieve the symptoms of endometriosis, it is thought to work by suppressing the growth of endometrial implants, thus causing them to gradually diminish. Progestin may also help reduce the inflammation in the uterus caused by endometriosis (thereby offering some relief from the pain).