Hormone Replacement Therapy
Benefits of BHRT For Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition that, unfortunately, can cause lasting damage to your reproductive system.
Around 2% to 10% of women in the US suffer from this condition.
It can be painful and frustrating in its most benign presentation, but at worst, it can be highly disruptive to your life.
Though many women won’t experience the more extreme symptoms of endometriosis, the good news is that it’s treatable.
Many options are available to help diminish the symptoms, including hormone therapy. These treatments can reduce pain, and the impact endometriosis has on your life.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis happens when cells similar to the lining of your uterus end up in other places rather than your uterus.
When your menstrual cycle begins, these cells swell, bleed and attempt to leave your body.
This is fine when they’re in the uterus, but in endometriosis, they might be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or in the pelvic tissue in general.
When your cycle begins, these cells should not be where they are, swelling and causing damage to the surrounding tissue as well.
Endometriosis symptoms
The primary symptom is pain, similar to menstrual cramps but in atypical areas. Additionally, endometriosis patients might have:
- Pelvic or lower back pain several days before your period begins.
- Pain during intercourse or using the bathroom
- Heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
- Exaggerated period symptoms, like extreme fatigue, bloating, or nausea
These symptoms typically start a few days before your cycle and can persist afterward for several days as well.
Causes of endometriosis
There are many causes of endometriosis, especially if you have a family history of it.
Having another female family member with it puts you in a higher risk category. The primary causes of endometriosis are:
Hormone imbalances. Some scientists believe that hormone imbalance can trigger peritoneal cells that line the abdomen to turn into endometrial cells.
Retrograde menstruation. When menstrual blood rich with endometrial cells flows into the fallopian tubes and ovaries, it can leave some behind. These cells then stick around and react with each menstrual cycle, swelling, bleeding, and causing pain.
Endometrial travel. Although it’s rare, endometrial cells can end up outside of the pelvis, and this is often due to these cells moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Suppressed immune function. Women with suppressed immune systems might have endometriosis because their bodies cannot find and destroy wayward endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
It’s worth noting that these are not the only potential causes of endometriosis, nor are they all definitive answers.
There is no apparent reason why it occurs, but these are the most likely, common culprits.
For specific categories of women, the likelihood of developing endometriosis is higher as well. We’ve already spoken about familial risk factors, but others include:
- A history of long, heavy menstrual cycles
- Starting menopause later in life
- Never having given birth
- Shorter menstrual cycles
Additionally, having other reproductive conditions can increase the likelihood of developing endometriosis as well.
Treating endometriosis
Treatment is specific to the degree you have endometriosis. For women with mild symptoms, the most common treatment is to help with the extra pain simply:
- Soaking in warm baths
- Taking pain medication
- Additional anti-inflammatories if your doctor feels they’re warranted
For women with more severe endometriosis, it can be a real risk for infertility and, in some cases, cancer. In these situations, your doctor might prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT. This therapy can help women with mild to severe endometriosis and is less invasive than surgery (which is another option).
BHRT can be beneficial in women who are still considering pregnancy, as it reduces the damaging effects of the condition. This, in turn, can make it easier to conceive.
Endometriosis can be managed
If your doctor diagnoses you with endometriosis, do not despair. Women with this condition live happy lives, and often with minimal impact from it. They have babies as well. Your doctor will prescribe a course of action that reduces your symptoms and the risks for cancer and infertility.
One of these treatment options might be BHRT, which helps your body return to natural hormone balance.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Endo, talk to your doctor about what options you have, and bring up hormone replacement therapy; they can tell you more. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment are crucial to living an entire life with endometriosis.
Sources
Endometriosis is a painful condition that, unfortunately, can cause lasting damage to your reproductive system.
Around 2% to 10% of women in the US suffer from this condition.
It can be painful and frustrating in its most benign presentation, but at worst, it can be highly disruptive to your life.
Though many women won’t experience the more extreme symptoms of endometriosis, the good news is that it’s treatable.
Many options are available to help diminish the symptoms, including hormone therapy. These treatments can reduce pain, and the impact endometriosis has on your life.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis happens when cells similar to the lining of your uterus end up in other places rather than your uterus.
When your menstrual cycle begins, these cells swell, bleed and attempt to leave your body.
This is fine when they’re in the uterus, but in endometriosis, they might be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or in the pelvic tissue in general.
When your cycle begins, these cells should not be where they are, swelling and causing damage to the surrounding tissue as well.
Endometriosis symptoms
The primary symptom is pain, similar to menstrual cramps but in atypical areas. Additionally, endometriosis patients might have:
- Pelvic or lower back pain several days before your period begins.
- Pain during intercourse or using the bathroom
- Heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
- Exaggerated period symptoms, like extreme fatigue, bloating, or nausea
These symptoms typically start a few days before your cycle and can persist afterward for several days as well.
Causes of endometriosis
There are many causes of endometriosis, especially if you have a family history of it.
Having another female family member with it puts you in a higher risk category. The primary causes of endometriosis are:
Hormone imbalances. Some scientists believe that hormone imbalance can trigger peritoneal cells that line the abdomen to turn into endometrial cells.
Retrograde menstruation. When menstrual blood rich with endometrial cells flows into the fallopian tubes and ovaries, it can leave some behind. These cells then stick around and react with each menstrual cycle, swelling, bleeding, and causing pain.
Endometrial travel. Although it’s rare, endometrial cells can end up outside of the pelvis, and this is often due to these cells moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Suppressed immune function. Women with suppressed immune systems might have endometriosis because their bodies cannot find and destroy wayward endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
It’s worth noting that these are not the only potential causes of endometriosis, nor are they all definitive answers.
There is no apparent reason why it occurs, but these are the most likely, common culprits.
For specific categories of women, the likelihood of developing endometriosis is higher as well. We’ve already spoken about familial risk factors, but others include:
- A history of long, heavy menstrual cycles
- Starting menopause later in life
- Never having given birth
- Shorter menstrual cycles
Additionally, having other reproductive conditions can increase the likelihood of developing endometriosis as well.
Treating endometriosis
Treatment is specific to the degree you have endometriosis. For women with mild symptoms, the most common treatment is to help with the extra pain simply:
- Soaking in warm baths
- Taking pain medication
- Additional anti-inflammatories if your doctor feels they’re warranted
For women with more severe endometriosis, it can be a real risk for infertility and, in some cases, cancer. In these situations, your doctor might prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT. This therapy can help women with mild to severe endometriosis and is less invasive than surgery (which is another option).
BHRT can be beneficial in women who are still considering pregnancy, as it reduces the damaging effects of the condition. This, in turn, can make it easier to conceive.
Endometriosis can be managed
If your doctor diagnoses you with endometriosis, do not despair. Women with this condition live happy lives, and often with minimal impact from it. They have babies as well. Your doctor will prescribe a course of action that reduces your symptoms and the risks for cancer and infertility.
One of these treatment options might be BHRT, which helps your body return to natural hormone balance.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Endo, talk to your doctor about what options you have, and bring up hormone replacement therapy; they can tell you more. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment are crucial to living an entire life with endometriosis.
Sources
