Advice on BC pills to control endometriosis please!
Hi there,
As some of you may know, I had a laparoscopy just over a month ago which confired I had endometriosis (stage II) and have so far continued using my Yasmin pill just as before. I noticed some relief after my operation but this past week I have been in so much pain. It's not my period either, but just the everyday pain I have had for years. It doesn't seem to be getting better and I am starting to wonder whether my pill (much as I otherwise feel ok on it) is to blame.
From what I have read, treatments for endo are androgenic rather than anti-androgenic, like Yasmin, so could this mean it isn't the best pill I could be on? I am only 23 and would like a family etc so I don't want to go on other meds really.
In the past I was on Marvelon/Desogen and from what I remember I had less pain. I know it is still not an androgenic pill, but it is more so than Yasmin, plus I know I have tolerated it well in the past. Also, there is the possibility of trying the lower-oestrogen version, Mercilon/Mircette, which may be better. I don't want to give up just yet on combined pills, as I tried a progestogen-only pill last year (pre-dx endo) and didn't like it so much.
My symptoms are very similar to before my laparsocopy! Lower back pain, leg pain, ovaries getting sharp pains in them, womb feels like it is cramping again...not pleasant on a daily basis - I can understand at AF time but give me a break! My stomach is totally bloated and sore, I look pregnant! I haven't even eaten anything yet today and I look like I've gorged myself all night!
I was on Yasmin a few years ago and had these problems too, I guess I had endo back then as well from my symptoms. I am sad because I do like this pill and would recommend it for PCOS, but I think my priority is getting the endo issues under control and preventing re-growth and pain as much as possible!
I'd like to know your thoughts and experiences. I use bc pill as contraception as well. My main questions are :
Is it better to be on a low-oestrogen pill with 20mg or stick to a standard strength 30mg?
Have any of you tried the pills I have mentioned? How did you get on?
Are there any pills you think I should enquire about?
Do you find bi-cycling or tri-cycling pills actually helps?
P.s I don't want the Mirena coil since I tried a normal IUD last year and it made everything worse!
I'm not so keen on going on a very androgenic pill since it makes my acne awful, my hair goes limp, greasy and tends to fall out etc.. Bit of a catch 22 situation!
Thanks my dear, I am seriously feeling bad! I don't think it's "because" of the lap, but due to needing a different treatment now...I hope. For the first few weeks Ii thought "ok, you've been poked prodded and lasered at...now you need to heal" but now the pains are getting worse and I don't feel right..
I am at a loss. Really hope that a doctor will suggest something decent, but would appreciate advice from ladies on here....
I am in agony with sharp pains, ovaries feel like they are on fire or about to explode, cramping won't cease!!! It is exhausting and I want to cry. What's going on with me?!
I am considering trying Ortho-Cylen (Cilest in UK)...any thoughts please??
Has anybody found that after a lap their symptoms get worse? Could these symptoms be a sign of anything else?
I'm currently abroad on a work placement but will get an appointment back home next week - it's easier than trying to sort it our with foreign docs!
I feel slightly better today but not good. The pain isn't as intense but it is constant, like period pain (mild endo style), whereas before I could feel my uterus cramping just like when I had an IUD and it was trying to expel it!! Terrible. Feel exhausted and emotional.
I just don't understand what's going on :-(
I am seriously considering changing to Cilest though (as in ortho-cyclen).
Going to take my 7 day break starting tomorrow, and hopefully it won't be too bad. But I don't think I can be on Yasmin if this is to continue now I'm had the lap and diathermy! Am I overreacting??
I don't know why but I never seem to manage more than 7 months on Yasmin before I can't tolerate it any longer...strange...
After my lap and laser to remove endo, I went on Ortho TriCyclen LO (the lower dose) and had great relief! My doctor (RE) told me that the pills used for PCOS and the pills used for endo are usually different, and I chose to focus on endo at the time. Also, I didn't notice any worsening of my PCOS symptoms on it.
As far as the lap causing problems, I have never heard of that. Could it be that you are more sensitive to it because you are typically only focused on the endo pain?
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I would agree, I notice endo symptoms far more than PCOS. My PCOS is minimal now in fact. So, Cilest in UK is Ortho-cyclen in US. There aren't many tri-phasic pills here, plus they use levenorgestrel which hasn't been good for me in the past..
Would you say a low oestrogen pill is better than a 30/35mg oestrogen pill?
In UK Cilest is actually promoted for endo more than pcos according to netdoctor.co.uk and NHS sites. I am seriously not feeling good at all. I think I am more sensitive to progestogen than oestrogen, but obviously oestrogen isn't good for endo. Not sure what to ask for, but I can't go through this anymore.
I was thinking of trying Mercilon (similar to mircette but different cycle, mercilon is 21 pills 20mg/150mg, with no iron pills for the break). But Mercilon doesn't seem to have much written about it for endo. Marvelon/Desogen has some more info, however, it is more often used for PCOS it seems (also in the past for me).
I am in so much pain like full on period but no bleeding. This can't be right.
xx
Last edited by Ashleystar; 05-26-2009 at 07:12 PM.
Triptorelin 4.2mg powder and solvent for suspension for injection vials
so the choice for bcp is quite limited in the NHS, although some others that are recommended are Femodene (gestodene, not in US), and progestogen-only pills and the depo shot.
I am totally confused to be honest, don't know what to do and can't understand why I am in this pain on Yasmin. xx
Give the Ortho TriCyclen a shot. You can always switch if you don't like how it works. For me, I really wanted a pill that would handle the endo, which was causing me so much discomfort.
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Thanks for the advice. We don't have ortho-tri but I will try ortho-cyclen (cilest) to see if I am good with that progestin etc...
Eva, I have taken Mefenamic acid tablets loads in the past and they literally do as much as Smarties for me!! I don't know why!
Today I didn't take my pill and have felt some relief - but still having discomfort. I will return home next week so can probably get and appointment next Thursday and will discuss this.
I guess I just wish I knew exactly what was going on in my body! I thought that after a month since lap and diathermy, things would be much improved, but I feel like I did when I was covered in cycsts etc.
Ooh I have just found a pill that is similar to ortho-tri-cyclen. Trinovum in the UK. Not with norgestimate but norethindrone which is very similar I think. Not totally sure though since tri-phasic pills are quite unpopular here for some reason. I don't know the benefits of them for Endometriosis though.
Anyone able to tell me? And from your experience? xx
Ok so I went to the doctor today. After much debating - seeing as he really hadn't a clue so it took a while - I'm going to start Cilest (ortho-cyclen) tomorrow. Yasmin has been wonderful for PCOS symptoms, but the painful daily cramping etc doesn't seem to be improving so I figured I may as well try something else. GP was pleased to put me on a cheaper pill too.. I'm a bit nervous about starting another one but since Cilest is recommended for endo, I am trying to be positive and hopefully will have good results.
From what I have read, it can be good, but I will need to watch my weight as I have lost a fair amount since last Sept but want this to continue!!
Doctor suggested Tri-Novum, but said he hadn't given any endo patients this pill so didn't really know. I would like to try another monophasic as I feel comfortable with it and then if it doesn't work out, I will look into the tri-phasic pills. He wants me to tri-cycle my Cilest pill which I'm sure will not make me feel so good so I'll try 2 months and then work my way up!
Advice on BC pills to control endometriosis please! 
i dont have any advice, sorry. But im sure someone will be able to help.
