Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Is The Medication For Endometriosis Other Than Yasmin?
Hi there. I was taking yasmin on a back to back basis for three months at a time as I suffer from endometriosis and my gynae advised it would be good to stop my ovulation - I have had two laparoscopic procedures to remove adhesion and all was well for 18 months. Last July I started experiencing panic attacks which I ve never suffered from in my life. I started to feel very depressed and was considering suicide a couple of times. I thought It was the pill so I came off it and my mood lightened, allowing me to feel in control once again. Unfortunately, with coming off the pill, I started experiencing immense ovulation pains once again which were lasting from day 11 of my cycle to the day my period began. This went on for three months before I decided something needed to be done again. I explained the situation to my gynae who suggested Cerazette. I was on it for three months and experienced severe acne and weight gain so decided to come off it as that in itself was making me unhappy. I decided to give Yasmin another go thinking things would be different this time around as I d had a good break from it and I ve only today finished the last pill of sleeve two. BUT yesterday, had my first panic attack again - I knew there was a possibility of it happening again but I didn t think it would be this soon. It impacted massively on my husband yesterday and we ended up having a massive row over it as he was apprehensive about me starting it again in the first place - and now I m stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to figure out what to do next. I ve tried Dianette and Microgynon years ago and both made me depressed to the point of not wanting to get out of bed. Is there anything you can suggest?
Wed, 22 Apr 2020
Hello,
You may have already found out in the course your earlier consultations and personal research that this indeed is a difficult condition to cope with and manage. The treatment options also depend to an extent on the age, main symptoms, preferred treatment outcomes and side effects.
Looking at the information you have given here - I believe that fertility and conceiving are not a priority for you at present. Managing the pain with hormones and pain killers is standard first line of management. The best hormonal option is a matter of trying and changing to find the one that suits best with regards to symptom relief and side effects.
It appears that combined oral pills (Yasmin) and cerazette both were effective in relieving pain but caused unacceptable side effects. Our option then may be to consider an alternative method of combined pill or progesterone only method. You could try a different pill to Yasmin, albeit of the same broad group go combined pills. You could take the pill free break of 7 days after using three packets. Hopefully the side effect on mood with a different pill will not be as significant. Some times the hormonal influence on mood can be modulated with lifestyle changes, aerobic exercise, diet and mindfulness practices.
Another option might be to use Mirena coil, if you are agreed to it. It releases small amounts of progesterone within the womb and side effects like acne might be less. It can however cause light and irregular bleeding in initial 6-9 months. Period may stop completely. The device will need to be changed every 5 years until menopause sets in, when declining natural hormones result in the endometriosis deposits to shrink and become inactive over time.
This is my initial advice. Usually, it takes a trial of 6 months to assess if a hormonal method is working adequately. Remember all methods have some give and take - there may be trade offs between the relief of pain due to endometriosis and side effects of the hormones. So the expectation of treatment outcomes may need to be modulated and a balance struck.
I would strongly recommend to see a gynaecologist who specialises in endometriosis. Other options are available if the hormonal methods do not work for you or your priorities regarding treatment options changes for example if pregnancy becomes a desired goal.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Sabina Hussain, OBGYN, Gynecological Oncology
You may have already found out in the course your earlier consultations and personal research that this indeed is a difficult condition to cope with and manage. The treatment options also depend to an extent on the age, main symptoms, preferred treatment outcomes and side effects.
Looking at the information you have given here - I believe that fertility and conceiving are not a priority for you at present. Managing the pain with hormones and pain killers is standard first line of management. The best hormonal option is a matter of trying and changing to find the one that suits best with regards to symptom relief and side effects.
It appears that combined oral pills (Yasmin) and cerazette both were effective in relieving pain but caused unacceptable side effects. Our option then may be to consider an alternative method of combined pill or progesterone only method. You could try a different pill to Yasmin, albeit of the same broad group go combined pills. You could take the pill free break of 7 days after using three packets. Hopefully the side effect on mood with a different pill will not be as significant. Some times the hormonal influence on mood can be modulated with lifestyle changes, aerobic exercise, diet and mindfulness practices.
Another option might be to use Mirena coil, if you are agreed to it. It releases small amounts of progesterone within the womb and side effects like acne might be less. It can however cause light and irregular bleeding in initial 6-9 months. Period may stop completely. The device will need to be changed every 5 years until menopause sets in, when declining natural hormones result in the endometriosis deposits to shrink and become inactive over time.
This is my initial advice. Usually, it takes a trial of 6 months to assess if a hormonal method is working adequately. Remember all methods have some give and take - there may be trade offs between the relief of pain due to endometriosis and side effects of the hormones. So the expectation of treatment outcomes may need to be modulated and a balance struck.
I would strongly recommend to see a gynaecologist who specialises in endometriosis. Other options are available if the hormonal methods do not work for you or your priorities regarding treatment options changes for example if pregnancy becomes a desired goal.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Sabina Hussain, OBGYN, Gynecological Oncology
I find this answer helpful
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Endometriosis
Loading Online Doctors....