My sister (42) has endometriosis, which we think she's always suffered with and it was dealt with before she had her children. But now her children are older, she's decided to have it investigated again as she is often in pain and discomfort.
She's had a laparoscopy today and apparently the endometriosis is in quite a bad state. She's put off going to see the Dr, due having a busy life with her kids etc.
Dr (Consultant) who did the laparoscopy said there was nothing he could do regarding the endometriosis today. But he has inserted a Mirena coil on the basis that this will help.
Can anyone explain how this form of Birth Control (which is what I thought i was) can help in preventing endometriosis?? What is my sister to expect having this inserted?
Hi there - the mirena coil is hormone based, and the thinking is that the slow release of the hormones will ease the symptoms.
When I worked as a practice nurse, we did this on quite a regular basis and the feedback was mostly good.
I myself had a mirena coil in and I only lasted about 3 months as it actually worsened by condition (I now know I have a complex syndrome that includes gynae issues) so I had it removed.
As I say though the evidence in favour is really good. Your sister needs to be aware that she may bleed for quite a while after insertion, a friend of mine actually bled for about 4 weeks; but if she's not happy she should still get things checked. After her next period she will need to have a nurse appt to make sure its still in the right place, they can sometimes fall out. And a further annual check is recommended. She should have been given a leaflet or card to carry with her stating what the hormonal dose is incase she ever needs any emergency treatment.
Did the Dr talk about ablation with her? Its a procedure where they use an electrical charge to remove some of the womb lining and is also supposed to be very effective. A reason against that though would be if she would like more children.
I think there is a very good endometriosis site with a forum on it like this which should also give her good support.
Blessings
Hi,
I have to agree with Wispy Misty. If your sister has finished having children, encourage her to research ablation therapy. I had endometriosis for many years and was resigned to the fact that I would have to have a hysterectomy.
During a consultation with my gynecologist, who was very reluctant to perform a hysterectomy, I was advised to look at the ablation option. I did the research, read the forums and decided to go ahead with this treatment.
I have never looked back! And believe me, as I'm sure your sister is experiencing, my quality of life was so low when I had to suffer this condition. The change was amazing.
The treatment was quite new in the UK when I had mine done some ten years ago but had been practiced in America for much longer, however, it was my saving grace.
I am so lucky my Gynecologist was all for trying new techniques and didn't just whip everything out.
It must be an informed decision to make but it will be a good one!
I wish her all the best x
Hello Alison
I have Endo and 2 weeks ago I had a Hysterecomy to sort it out. I am only 38, but I've got my little family so if it meant I was going to be painfree then this was my answer, but it took me over a year to make my mind up.
I only just read that although a Hysterectomy can sort Endo out, HRT can cause it to come back, so I'm going to have to look into helping my hormones get sorted. lol
I hope HP don't mind me mentioning this but there is a wonderful website called The Hysterectomy Association, they have a forum so every question gets answered reguarding Hysterectomy, Endometriosis, Fibroids etc etc.
Angel x
Coil and Endo
Hi
I am 26 and had two Laproscopies after suffering from Endometriosis since the age of 14. I have had laser treatment to get rid of the endo patches that were all over ligaments and on other organs.
I have tried the pill, I had a six month course of Zoladex, which made me feel awful, being in a false menopause at 25 when getting married isnt the best.
All the treatment I have been given has made little difference with me still experiencing pain, weight gain and loss and negative effects on my mental health and view on myself.
After my second laproscopy 8 weeks ago they recommeneded the merina coil, normally used in older women who suffer heavy bleeding or want a reliable long term contraceptive after a having a family.
It is a new (ish) approach to use it to treat the syptoms of endo. My specialist told me by releasing a steady amount of hormone to that localised area it protects the area whilst keeping hormone levels constant. I have also been told that due to it being localised you get fewer other syptoms as it is not being put into your blood stream. This helps with endo as it is with the peaks and troughs of the monthly cycle that can allow the endo to grow or cause to get worse so all treatment is looking to stablise hormone levels throughout the cyle.
I havent had it fitted yet as due to being on zoladex I have no regular cycle but am aprehensive but optimistic about having it fitted!
Unfortunatly there is no real cure so I have to treat the syptoms and try and carry on smiling!!
hope it all gets sorted
Claire:)
I had a Mirena fitted in April to help with Endo and for contraception aswell. So far I am not really getting on with it - still bleeding most weeks and still pretty crampy, not nearly as bad though so thats a positive.
I was told to give it 6 month to settle so thats what I am doing and keeping my fingers crossed the bleeding eases soon.
I hope it works for your sister.
coil and endometriosis
hi,
i had the coil put in in july 10th and was taken out in june 11 , i had no periods while being on the coil does anybody known if you can still have endometriosis while not having periods i am con fused as i had a scan and the nurse said i should not have had a coil put in with endometriosis thank you
hi,
i had the coil put in in july 10th and was taken out in june 11 , i had no periods while being on the coil does anybody known if you can still have endometriosis while not having periods i am con fused as i had a scan and the nurse said i should not have had a coil put in with endometriosis thank you
I believe endometriosis is caused by the same sort of cells that are produced when you have your period. So, whilst you will probably still have the scar tissue, if you are not having periods I would have thought the endometriosis will die down. Maybe now you have had your coil removed you might get the symptoms again:confused:
Not sure what the nurse said was true, you would have to get a second opinion on that one. Google it 😮
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