I have mentioned before that Endometriosis cannot be cured, but there are treatments for endo which can reduce symptoms or are designed to shrink the endo away… this doesn’t mean it can’t grow back but it can give the patient relief from the symptoms of endo she has to live with which may be affecting her life.
Laser Surgery:
As well as diagnosing Endometriosis, laparoscopies can also be done to treat it.
Endo can be lasered during this surgery. Lasering the endo is sort of like burning it off. It doesn't always get rid off all the endo and can't always be done - depending on where the endo has settled. Having laser during a laparoscopy will probably increase the recovery time but it still better than open surgery.
Excision Surgery:
On other occasions women need surgery to remove cysts. They are commonly found on the ovaries and on some occasions the ovary has to be removed (called an Oopherectomy). There are ways of doing this as fairly minor surgery with the smallest cut in your abdomen as possible, however sometimes major surgery is needed (called a Laperotomy).
Other excision surgery is sometimes done when there is a lot of endo which would be difficult to laser. This means they basically cut it out.
Hysterectomy and Oopherectomy:
On some occasions a woman is advised to have a hysterectomy (removal of the womb) and an Oopherectomy of both the ovaries to stop the endo getting worse - usually as much of the endo as possible is removed beforehand and the theory is that without the ovaries feeding the endo oestrogen the endo won’t grow back. This is not guaranteed to work but can sometimes be a success.
Hormonal Injections:
Another treatment is hormonal drugs which are injected every month and are designed to put the patient into a fake menopause. This stops ovulation and periods in the hope that the endo cannot build up with the lack of oestrogen and may even shrink away and ‘die’.
This does not always work either and eventually the endo can grow back. But it can bring some relief to a sufferer for the time that they are not having periods and can give them some time of little pain after the course of drugs is stopped. (Although the side affects of these drugs can sometimes make the woman feel they aren’t worth taking. Also the body needs oestrogen so HRT [hormone replacement therapy] is sometimes given to women while on these drugs and can stop it being as affective).
Hormone Pills:
The contraceptive pill is also used to put women into a fake pregnancy, this can stop endo growing. It also helps with irregular and heavy periods and can reduce period pain. It can be hard to remember to take the pill every day and they do come with side effects so some women don’t like taking it.
Alternative and Complimentary Therapies:
Finally, other treatments are alternative therapies such as homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy and acupuncture. These don't always work either but some women find it does bring pain relief and helps them cope with their disease better. These treatments don’t come with side-effects but can be expensive. Some alternative therapies can however be offered on the NHS through the pain clinic.