ENDO Messages for October, 2003: Re: Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?

Re: Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?

From: Melissa (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu Oct 30 15:53:03 2003

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In reply to: Wendee: "Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?"
Next in thread: Chris: "Re: Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?"

Hi Wendee,

Well I am glad to hear that you finally got a definitive diagnosis of something, since it seems that a lot of women spend so long just not knowing what's going on and being told a whole range of excuses for their problems. Anyways, here's what I know:

>1: My doctor told me that I would be in more pain for a bit longer than
>normal because she cauterized two large spots of endometrium on my
>ovaries. Has anyone else had this procedure done? Is it a normal "cure"
>for those spots? Did your healing process seem to take longer than the
>estimated two to three days?

Cauterization is good, it means that the surgeon took the laser and kind of "beamed" those growths away, it is important that when you have a lap that the surgeon actually remove what growths are possible to remove, as this will help to keep the spread and your pain to a minimum. Depending upon to depth of the growths, the locations, and personal factors, will all determine how long your healing process actually takes. I know of very few women who are back to full schedule within two days without feeling anything at all. It is possible, but still unlikely. My pelvic pain clinic recommends a two week period for healing, and even then you may still experience some pain for longer.

>2: The pain that landed me in the ER was probably, acording to my doc,
>endometrioma that burst. Anyone heard of this before or know anything
>about it?

An endometrioma is considered a fluid filled sac that grows out of the endometrium (or endometrial growths), much like a cyst but potentially more larger. Usually filled with blood, but it's possible that it could be filled with pus (sorry to be graphic). Sometimes if left alone, they can either dissipate on their own, or they could burst causing pain, as the the contents "scorch" the insides of you (there is no real way for that stuff to exit since it is not on an "exit path"). It's actually quite common for endometriomas to form and burst, and is one of the key reasons as to why the endo spreads.

>3: It's been recomended to me to start birth control pills, progesterone
>only if possible, to control the endometriosis. I hate birth control
>pills, and in the past tried four or five kinds before giving up on
>them. (In general, I really don't like the idea of putting a bunch of
>hormones into my body that aren't there through my own hormone producing
>glands.) Has anyone else out there found that the pill helps with endo
>symptoms? My doctor seems to think that either the pill or depo-prevara
>(sp?) would be the best route for me.

Every treatment is different for every women, what works for one may not work for the next one down the line. And not all pills are created equally. I have been through about 10-12 different kinds of bcp's and found that none really helped me. I've also tried Depo-Provera and had a really bad reaction to it. But at the same time, bcp's are the usual recommended course of treatment to start off with before advancing to the heavy duty stuff.

>4: With continuous birth control pill, do you have a period at all, or
>do you continue taking the pill without a break and so skip your
>periods? And does anyone know how this affects fertility and getting
>pregnant later on? (I still want to have children, just not quite yet.)

While taking a continuous pill you should *hopefully* not get your period at all, but some women will still bleed even if they take the pill constantly. Some women also may have breakthrough bleeding rather than a normal period. Delaying your period, should not have a drastic effect on your fertility. The pill works by tricking the mind into thinking it is pregnant, so in a sense since pregnancy does not affect fertility than neither should not having your period. Also, by taking something to slow down the progression of the disease, it will help to increase your chances of fertility. They say that the pill's effects are the most easily reversible of all the drugs out there.

Hope this helps, Take care, Melissa >Any thoughts or help from anyone is appreciated greatly.
>

Next message: Chris: "Re: Thank you, I've been so encouraged"
Previous message: linda: "Re: Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?"
In reply to: Wendee: "Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?"
Next in thread: Chris: "Re: Cauterizing endo and birth control pills as relief from symptoms?"

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