QuestionDear Martha,
I'm from Sri Lanka. I've been diagnosed with severe endometriosis and also slight adenomomyosis in my womb.The doctor did a laperoscopy and removed the endometriosis but i don't know what can be done for the adenomomyosis.I'm 32 years old and am very scared. I dearly love children and want to have many. Please please let me know what I can expect.Is there any new medicine to treat adenomomyosis? and what about the endo? The doctor says that keep coming back. Where can I get treatment? My insurance doesn't cover treatment so I want to know some place affordable. Thank you for being there for women like me.
AnswerDear Dinali,
I really feel for you...as if the endo isn't enough to suffer with! I recently read and article on adenomomyosis. Please see below:
Frequently the moderately enlarged uterus is asymptomatic and no treatment is necessary. Temporary relief of very painful heavy periods can be achieved with GnRH agonists such as Lupron. These medications cause a menopause-like state with complete cessation of ovarian function and menses, causing the abnormal tissue to shrink. This temporary reversible state permits an anemic patient to restore a normal blood count, especially when iron supplements are prescribed. However, GnRH agonists are not easy to tolerate, causing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Other consequences include weakening of the bones, alteration of the cholesterol profile (decrease in "good" cholesterol, HDL, and increase in "bad" cholesterol, LDL) For these reasons, this type of medical treatment is usually limited to six months. Upon cessation of GnRH treatment, the painful heavy periods tend to resume. GnRH agonists are also used to treat infertility associated with adenomyosis. There are a few anecdotal reports of successful pregnancies after a six to eight month course of GnRH agonists. One should be aware that such treatment may be successful in mild cases of adenomyosis but may fail in more severe cases. Progesterone is usually ineffective in the treatment of adenomyosis or, at best, is only temporarily and partially helpful. Similarly, birth control pills are ineffective or only temporarily and partially helpful.
Frequently the moderately enlarged uterus is asymptomatic and no treatment is necessary. Temporary relief of very painful heavy periods can be achieved with GnRH agonists such as Lupron. These medications cause a menopause-like state with complete cessation of ovarian function and menses, causing the abnormal tissue to shrink. This temporary reversible state permits an anemic patient to restore a normal blood count, especially when iron supplements are prescribed. However, GnRH agonists are not easy to tolerate, causing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Other consequences include weakening of the bones, alteration of the cholesterol profile (decrease in "good" cholesterol, HDL, and increase in "bad" cholesterol, LDL) For these reasons, this type of medical treatment is usually limited to six months. Upon cessation of GnRH treatment, the painful heavy periods tend to resume. GnRH agonists are also used to treat infertility associated with adenomyosis. There are a few anecdotal reports of successful pregnancies after a six to eight month course of GnRH agonists. One should be aware that such treatment may be successful in mild cases of adenomyosis but may fail in more severe cases. Progesterone is usually ineffective in the treatment of adenomyosis or, at best, is only temporarily and partially helpful. Similarly, birth control pills are ineffective or only temporarily and partially helpful.
So there is treatment available, assuming your medical insurance will cover. I would also seek out an expert in the field of endo...they seem to have many alternatives for women who have severe endo and want children.
I hope you find relief. I know as an endo sufferer, that it never seems to end! But at least you can control it!
Take care of yourself and be well.
Martha
