Endometriosis is a disease in which cells of the uterine lining of the uterus are activated, spreading beyond its boundaries. The development of this part of the body depends on the composition of hormones. Imbalance of substances leads to abnormal division of endometrial cells and presence where they should not be.
Therefore, treatment includes mainly hormonal drugs. But since the disease has different stages, the prevalence arises in women aged 25 to 40 years, sometimes even older, then the tactics of therapy can not be the same in each case.
More aboutfeatures of the disease
Mucous uterus in reproductive age is experiencing a cyclical development due to sex hormones.
Given the specific features of the disease and the role of each of the substances, it is not difficult to guess how everything changes with endometriosis, which hormones are increased. These are estrogens. And because the young organism produces them regularly, uncontrolled sprouting has constant support. And gestagens are produced in a minimal amount or absent.
Despite the understanding of the mechanism of the disease, it has not yet been possible to identify why it takes this form. Therefore, there is no single universal method of drug treatment.
The objectives of drug therapy endometriosis
Hormones are taken to suppress the concentration of estrogens. You can influence the process using different means. Some affect the function of ovarian estrogen producing, others affect the pituitary gland, also having a role in the chain.
But the body works in a certain mode and, having lost the effect of drugs, restores the former functions. That is, the disease can return. Therefore, hormone therapy by medics is seen as a measure that can reduce the manifestations of endometriosis for some time.
The disease is characterized not just by the pathological spread of endometrial tissue to other organs. Cells function in the same way as in the uterine cavity, that is, they divide, die and are renewed. This leads to the involvement of abnormally expanded tissues during menstruation, that is, bleeding, profuse or smearing, pain in the abdomen and not only.
That is, drugs for endometriosis are assigned not only hormonal, but also those that can alleviate the symptoms of malaise. These are vitamins, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic drugs.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists
Natural GnRH agonists are produced by the hypothalamus to induce the release of pituitary hormones. The latter are able, if present in large quantities, to neutralize the work of the ovaries, that is, to reduce the production of estrogens. Hormone therapy with drugs containing GnRH agonists solves this problem. Assign:
- Diferelin( tryptotrelin).Intended for intramuscular injection from the beginning of the cycle( 1-5 days).Then he is pricked after 28-30 days;
- Decapeptil Depot( tryptotrelin).It is administered subcutaneously at 3.75 mg throughout the course every 28 days. Begin from 1 to 5 days of the cycle;
- Zoladex( goserelin).It is inserted under the skin in the abdomen. The drug is active for 28 days. The next appointment should be in a month;
- Buserelin. The drug is injected into the muscle at 3.75 mg every 4 weeks. Begin in the first 5 days of the cycle;
- Lucrin Depot( leuprorelin).Injection is done on the third day of menstruation. Next should be after 28 days.
These agents lead the body into a state corresponding to the climacteric. The woman stops menstruating, because of the lack of estrogens, the endometrium does not develop. The same happens with its pathological areas.
Such hormonal treatment lasts up to 6 months. To go through them is not easy, as signs of a climax come: dryness of mucous membranes, irritability, insomnia, decreased libido. There is also a decrease in bone density, that is, the risk of their damage increases.
Gonadotropin hormone inhibitors and antigestagens
Drugs used in the treatment of endometriosis may contain substances that suppress the production of FSH, LH and progesterone. This is
- Danazol( testosterone).There are in the form of capsules, taken orally. Dosage and period of application is chosen by the doctor, but should not exceed 800 mg per day. Analogues of it are Danoval and Danol;
- Mifepristone, Gestrinone. These tablets from endometriosis prevent the production of progesterone, that is, interfere with the production of estrogens, as it causes anovulation. They are taken on an individual basis, but not more than 200 mg per day.
The funds in this group lead to inhibition of the development of endometrial cells, including those that are located outside the uterine cavity. They interfere with the work of the ovaries, therefore, and the production of estrogens, but can cause hair growth on the body, weight gain and acne.
Gestagens
Therapy may consist of taking progesterone analogues. The substance helps suppress proliferation of the uterine mucosa, as with a quantitative predominance over estrogen stops their influence on it. The drugs containing hormones of this series include:
- Dufaston( dydrogesterone).The agent exists in tablets that take from the 5th to the 25th day of the cycle, taking a break and resuming in a new menstrual period. It acts only on the endometrium, not suppressing the functions of the ovaries, which makes the therapy more sparing.
- Byzanne( dienogest).Take a daily 1 tablet. The effect of the drug begins with the cessation of the growth of the endometrium, then the function of the ovaries "turns off", the periods stop;
- Organometr( linestrone).These tablets in endometriosis work to prevent the growth of new foci of the disease and reduce the size of the already existing ones. Take them from the 14th to the 25th day of the cycle for 1 piece daily. The dose may be increased to 2 tablets with severe bleeding. But the drug is effective only at the initial stage of the disease, since it allows the ovaries to work, that is, does not stop the supply of the organism with estrogens.
Medications for endometriosis do not necessarily occur in tablets or injectable solutions.
The organ is made immune to ovarian estrogen production.
Combined oral contraceptives
Hormonal preparations for endometriosis can solve several problems simultaneously. COCs used to protect against pregnancy contain artificially synthesized estrogens and gestagens in certain doses. Substances prevent the development of the body's own hormones, which causes the termination of the development of the endometrium.
This is achieved by continuous reception during the 3-6 cycles of the following drugs:
- Jeanine;
- Yarina;
- Diane 35;
- Jess;
- Clayra;
- Dimiya.
While a woman drinks pills 1 per day, she does not have menstruation, the balance of hormones is leveled, therefore, estrogen no longer has the same effect on the endometrium. But this method is more suitable for therapy at the initial stage of the disease.
Non-hormonal agents
Only a doctor can prescribe adequate therapy with drugs. Especially it concerns hormones. But the pain syndrome, the decline of strength and abundant discharge make you use the means that stop these symptoms. To relieve the painful sensations and inflammation take:
- Ibuprofen;
- Novigan;
- Papaverine.
To support the immune system, to improve overall health will help:
- Cycloferon;
- Retinol;
- Ascorbic acid;
- Tocopherol;
- Thiamine;
- Pyridoxine.
We recommend reading an article about menstruation with endometriosis. You will learn about the effect of the disease on the menstrual cycle and the nature of the discharge, the causes of painful periods, the methods of stopping bleeding.
Endoferin
Among the variety of drugs there are nonhormonal, capable of stopping the pathological development of the mucous uterus. Endoferin has been successfully used for some time. Thus it is not necessary to drink hormones and immunomodulators.
Endoferin has a natural origin, since it is based on substances isolated from the ovaries of cattle, and is a protein compound. He is injected intramuscularly for 3 cycles, starting with 5 days, 10 injections. A day must be given 1 injection.
Treatment of endometriosis in women requires the choice of drugs based on many symptoms. Hormones cause side reactions, you need to consider other diseases that women have. For some, conservative therapy will not be the final solution to the problem, but a preparation for the operation.