Hormonal contraceptives can reduce pain and other symptoms
Hormonal birth controlmethods are an effective treatment forendometriosissymptoms.
Hormonal contraceptives contain eitherprogestin,estrogen, or both.
They are available in pill, IUD, vaginal ring, patch, injection, and implant forms.
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This is true whether they contain estrogen and progesterone or are progestin-only.
Eliminating periods is helpful for women with endometriosis because symptoms tend to be worse during menstruation.
Some options, like hormonal IUDs, provide consistent hormones.
Modified use of the pill, vaginal ring, and patch can do the same.
This suppresses menstruation entirely.
Different brands are available in different dosages.
The pill can help withendometriosis painbecause it can make periods shorter or lighter or even eliminate them altogether.
It also thins the endometrial lining.
Skyla, also called the mini-IUD, is another option.
Skyla releases the progestin levonorgestrel (14 mcg a day) and lasts for three years.
The Skyla IUD is smaller than Mirena and Liletta.
Like other hormonal birth control methods, it can help relieve endometriosis symptoms.
Hormonal Patch
Birth control patchesare small adhesive stickers that deliver hormonal contraception through the skin.
Hormonal Injections
Depo Proveraand Depo-subQ Provera 104 have been shown to reduce pain triggered by endometriosis.
In 2005, the Depo-subQ Provera 104 injection was approved by the FDA for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain.
Hormonal Implant
Nexplanonis a progestin-only contraceptive implant.
The implant protects against pregnancy for three years.
Some options are approved by the FDA for such use.
Others are not, though still prescribed off-label.
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Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.
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