How to treat endometriosis? Endometriosis Treatment

For diseases like endometriosis, we usually choose drug therapy or surgical therapy for corresponding treatment. Both treatments have their advantages and disadvantages. You can choose as appropriate.

Drug treatment of endometriosis

The cause of endometriosis is unclear and there is currently no cure. Because endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disease, the purpose of drug treatment is mainly to inhibit ovarian function, create a pseudopregnancy or pseudomenopause state, reduce the activity of endometriosis lesions and the formation of adhesions, relieve pain, inhibit residual lesions after surgery, prevent recurrence, and shorten the interval between recurrences. Promote fertility.

There are four main types of drugs available, and their main side effects are as follows:

1. Oral contraceptives: Continuous or cyclical use for 6 months, with fewer side effects, but may cause gastrointestinal symptoms or abnormal liver function.

2. Progesterone: mainly breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, weight gain, gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormal liver function, etc.

3. Progesterone: Mainly androgen-like effects, such as increased hair growth, deepening of voice, facial acne, weight gain, and abnormal liver function.

4. GnRHa: This drug is the first choice for young patients who want to have children. The treatment lasts for 3 to 6 months. The side effects are mainly caused by low estrogen blood, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, insomnia and depression. Long-term use can cause osteoporosis.

5. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history, and Chinese medicine also has its unique therapeutic effect in relieving the symptoms of endometriosis.

Surgical treatment of endometriosis

1. Under what circumstances does endometriosis require surgical treatment?

1. For patients with mild dysmenorrhea but no pelvic tender nodules or adnexal masses, analgesics, oral contraceptives, and progesterone treatment can be chosen, with regular follow-up. Ineffective laparoscopic surgery.

2. Patients with pelvic tender nodules, adnexal masses and infertility are preferred to undergo surgery to confirm the diagnosis. Experimental drug treatment is not recommended. Postoperative drug-assisted treatment and assisted reproductive treatment.

3. For patients with extensive and severe lesions, surgery is difficult. GNRH-a can be used for treatment for 3 months before surgery to shrink the lesions, reduce intraoperative bleeding, and reduce the difficulty of surgery.

4. The purpose of treatment: to reduce and eliminate lesions, relieve pain and other symptoms, improve and promote health, and reduce and avoid recurrence.

2. What preparations are needed before endometriosis surgery?

1. Complete routine laboratory tests in the outpatient clinic.

2. After admission, the patient and his family sign an informed consent form and fully understand the risks of surgery (endometriosis pen has severe abdominal adhesions, and surgery is likely to damage surrounding organs)

3. Patients whose lesions involve the rectum and colon need intestinal preparation, including semi-liquid diet two days before surgery, liquid diet one day before surgery, cleansing colon, oral antibiotics, and indwelling gastric tube on the day of surgery.

4. Patients whose lesions involve the urinary system need to have a ureteral stent placed.

5. For those who need hysterectomy, the vagina should be flushed for two days before the operation.

3. What should I do if endometriosis recurs after treatment?

The 5-year recurrence rate of endometriosis after surgery is 30-40%, of which 12% require another surgery. Treatment after recurrence is more difficult. Ovarian endometriosis cysts can still be treated with surgery and postoperative drug treatment, but there is a possibility of premature ovarian failure. If the cyst is not large, ultrasound-guided puncture can be performed to assist pregnancy, but it is prone to recurrence.