Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsContinuous UsePillsIUDsVaginal RingPatchesInjectionsImplantSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Continuous Use
Pills
IUDs
Vaginal Ring
Patches
Injections
Implant
Summary
Hormonal birth controlmethods are an effective treatment forendometriosissymptoms. The right one for you depends on factors like your age and overall health, but one thing is universal: Continuous use of whatever birth control option you choose is best for endometriosis.
These treatments stop the ovaries from producing key hormones, including estrogen, which can slow the growth of the uterine lining (endometrium) and prevent new lesions.This can reduce endometriosis symptoms like pelvic pain and heavy bleeding (dysmenorrhea).
Hormonal contraceptives contain eitherprogestin,estrogen, or both. They are available in pill, IUD, vaginal ring, patch, injection, and implant forms.
This article discusses the continuous use of birth control for endometriosis and what hormonal birth control options are either approved or used off-label for this purpose.
PhotoAlto / Antoine Arraou / Getty Images
Continuous Birth Control Is Best For Endometriosis
Hormonal contraceptives are thought to be most effective for endometriosis when they are used continuously—in other words, without a break in hormone dosing—causing periods to stop. This is true whether they contain estrogen and progesterone or are progestin-only.
Some options, like hormonal IUDs, provide consistent hormones. Modified use of the pill, vaginal ring, and patch can do the same.
Instead of following the hormone-free week built into the dosing schedule, during which you would have a light period, you use your birth control daily. This suppresses menstruation entirely.
Continuous vs. Extended Cycle Birth Control
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are available ascombination pills(containing estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only. Different brands are available in different dosages.
The pill can help withendometriosis painbecause it can make periods shorter or lighter or even eliminate them altogether. It also thins the endometrial lining.
Continuous birth control pills like Seasonique may also offer an additional benefit: the elimination or reduction of periods and associated dysmenorrhea linked to endometriosis.
A 2017 study concluded that progestin-only pills may be preferable to combination pills for reducing pain and minimizing the extent of endometriosis lesions. Furthermore, progestin-only pills:
Hormonal IUDs
TheMirenaIUD is thought to help reduce the amount of blood flow during a woman’s period, which may help to reduce endometriosis-related pain.
While they are not FDA-approved to treat endometriosis specifically, these IUDs are now FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to five years.
Given that these IUDs can be left in place for up to eight years, they can offer the potential to be a long-termendometriosis treatmentfor women who want to postpone pregnancy.
Skyla, also called the mini-IUD, is another option. Skyla releases the progestin levonorgestrel (14 mcg a day) and lasts for three years. The Skyla IUD is smaller than Mirena and Liletta.
TheNuvaRingis a form of contraception that is worn inside the vagina for up to five weeks before needing to be replaced.
While the ring is inserted, your body absorbs the hormones estrogen and progestin through your vaginal lining, which works to stop ovulation. Like other hormonal birth control methods, it can help relieve endometriosis symptoms.
Non-Contraceptive Medications for EndometriosisGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists are non-contraceptive medications designed to treat endometriosis. They cause your body to produce less estrogen and preventing the body from making some of the hormones responsible for ovulation.
Non-Contraceptive Medications for Endometriosis
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists are non-contraceptive medications designed to treat endometriosis. They cause your body to produce less estrogen and preventing the body from making some of the hormones responsible for ovulation.
Hormonal Patch
Birth control patchesare small adhesive stickers that deliver hormonal contraception through the skin. They contain the same types of hormones as other hormonal birth control methods and, therefore, work to control symptoms of endometriosis.
Xulaneis a square patch that contains norelgestromin (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen).Twirlais a round patch that contains levonorgestrel (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol.
Hormonal Injections
Can Depo-Provera Treat Endometriosis?
Hormonal Implant
Nexplanonis a progestin-only contraceptive implant. A healthcare professional places this rod, which is about the size of a matchstick, under the skin of your upper arm.
The implant protects against pregnancy for three years.
Continuous use of hormonal birth control—i.e., without a break between dosing—has been found to be most effective for endometriosis.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Medical treatments for endometriosis.National Institutes of Health.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Grandi G, Barra F, Ferrero S, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with endometriosis: a systematic review.Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019 Feb;24(1):61-70. doi:10.1080/13625187.2018.1550576Jensen JT, Schlaff W, Gordon K.Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review of the evidence.Fertil Steril. 2018;110(1):137–152.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.012Casper RF.Progestin-only pills may be a better first-line treatment for endometriosis than combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills.Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):533-536. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.003Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755USDA Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable suspension.Nexplanon.Frequently asked questions.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Medical treatments for endometriosis.National Institutes of Health.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Grandi G, Barra F, Ferrero S, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with endometriosis: a systematic review.Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019 Feb;24(1):61-70. doi:10.1080/13625187.2018.1550576Jensen JT, Schlaff W, Gordon K.Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review of the evidence.Fertil Steril. 2018;110(1):137–152.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.012Casper RF.Progestin-only pills may be a better first-line treatment for endometriosis than combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills.Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):533-536. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.003Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755USDA Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable suspension.Nexplanon.Frequently asked questions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Medical treatments for endometriosis.National Institutes of Health.What are the treatments for endometriosis?Grandi G, Barra F, Ferrero S, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with endometriosis: a systematic review.Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019 Feb;24(1):61-70. doi:10.1080/13625187.2018.1550576Jensen JT, Schlaff W, Gordon K.Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review of the evidence.Fertil Steril. 2018;110(1):137–152.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.012Casper RF.Progestin-only pills may be a better first-line treatment for endometriosis than combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills.Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):533-536. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.003Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755USDA Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable suspension.Nexplanon.Frequently asked questions.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Medical treatments for endometriosis.
National Institutes of Health.What are the treatments for endometriosis?
Grandi G, Barra F, Ferrero S, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with endometriosis: a systematic review.Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2019 Feb;24(1):61-70. doi:10.1080/13625187.2018.1550576
Jensen JT, Schlaff W, Gordon K.Use of combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review of the evidence.Fertil Steril. 2018;110(1):137–152.e1. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.012
Casper RF.Progestin-only pills may be a better first-line treatment for endometriosis than combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills.Fertil Steril. 2017 Mar;107(3):533-536. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.003
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.
Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755
USDA Food and Drug Administration.Drug approval package: Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable suspension.
Nexplanon.Frequently asked questions.
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