There are many options and health plans that will get thrown about after finally getting a diagnosis of endometriosis. However, there is NO CURE for endometriosis that has been found yet. I’m not here to tell you what works and what doesn’t, as I haven’t tried everything and I am not a medical expert. I am just going to explain things that I was told or read and researched on my own.

Birth Control

This is typically one of the first things discussed and prescribed by regular OB-GYNS when the diagnosis of endometriosis comes up. There are varying studies both backing the success and failure for the suppression of endo by taking birth control. Personally, I have been against birth control (all forms) since I was a teenager. I took 3 different kinds in a year, and they all had terrible side effects, and they really took a toll on my mental health due to the fluctuation of my hormones. I did not take any then, and when this option came up, I denied them.

Lupron/Orilissa

Again, another treatment that was offered to me and after doing a quick search on the internet, I denied immediately. Obviously, this information is on the internet, but Lupron is a hormone based injection that has terrible pseudo-menopausal side effects. It was originally created to treat men with prostate cancer. This injection is also said to suppress endo, but there is much research to prove the success and failure of this drug. Orilissa is made by the same company, and is the pill form of Lupron. My biggest concern about all of this is the pushing of these medications on women with endometriosis, and not giving them the knowledge of what they are putting into their bodies. 

Natural/Holistic Medicine

Many people swear that changing their diet helped their endo symptoms. I feel that it could definitely help people with their symptoms, but in people who have more complicated cases, it will have to be diet after treatment. I have read and heard about essential oils helping with pain management. I have used several different oils post surgery; sometimes they helped, sometimes they didn’t. It all depended on my pain levels. I don’t believe that essential oils can rid the endometriosis. The last thing I heard about in this category was acupuncture. I can’t even stand to look at pictures of acupuncture because I am anxiety ridden about needles. This would most likely never be an option for me. However, I heard it does help the people that utilize it.

Ablation

This is one of the 2 types of surgery to remove endometrial tissue. This is what most doctors and surgeons will do. In this surgery, the endometriosis and tissue is burnt off. This only gets the abnormal tissue at the surface, and can sometimes leave more of the tissue rooted deep into the organs. The problem with this is it leaves behind more scar tissue and allows the endometrial tissue to grow back faster. With the burning of the tissue, the doctor is not able to biopsy to make sure that it is endometriosis. Out of the two options for surgery, this is usually a more affordable option and the one that insurance companies will pay for more easily.

Excision

This is the second type of surgery to remove endometrial tissue. This surgery is considered the “gold standard”, and with that title also comes with a more expensive price tag and a lot of “unnecessary” thrown around by insurance companies. In excision surgery, the surgeon will excise the endometrial tissue by cutting with scissors or freezing with a CO2 laser. If surgery is performed by a specialist, they will send every piece of tissue they cut to a diagnostics lab and make sure it is endometriosis.

I included multiple links in this blog because I do all of my own research, but I will emphasize again that I am not a medical expert in any way. I was just my own advocate and chose for my first surgery after diagnosis to be excision with one of the best surgeons in the United States (and probably the world).  I have read testimonies of women who have gone through MANY failed ablation surgeries and tried all different kinds of treatments and pain management to get their endometriosis under control. That is the reality of having this illness, it takes forever to get diagnosed, and by the time the diagnosis comes in, your hands could be tied with which option works best for you. I would encourage anyone to be their own biggest advocate and do what you feel is best for you!

Also, when discussing options with family and friends, you may get some unwarranted advice about certain things. Repeat after me: Pregnancy does NOT cure endometriosis. Birth control and Lupron do NOT cure endometriosis. Surgery does NOT cure endometriosis. A hysterectomy does NOT cure endometriosis. (If your doctor suggests you to have kids immediately or get a hysterectomy for treatment of endo, get another opinion!) No diet or exercise can cure endometriosis. So many people will have “a sister’s friends aunt” who has had endometriosis and it was “cured” by one of these things listed above.