Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
How Does an IUD Help?
How IUDs Work
Who Should Use an IUD?
Benefits
Side Effects
Pregnancy
Alternative Treatments
Some people use hormone-releasingintrauterine devices(IUDs) as one treatment forendometriosis. The condition can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including pain, cramps, irregular period bleeding, and problems with your bowel and bladder.
IUDs generally are prescribed for the relief of pain associated with endometriosis.IUDs are long-acting and reversible birth control. They are shaped like the capital letter “T” and inserted into the uterus. Certain IUDs provide a slow release of the hormoneprogestin, which may help with endometriosis symptoms.
This article discusses how an IUD might help with endometriosis, how it works, who should choose one, and the potential benefits andside effects of IUDs.
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How Does an IUD Help With Endometriosis?
Endometriosis symptoms result from inflammation caused with tissue like that of the uterus forms as lesions in areas outside the uterus. Medication is targeted to decrease estrogen since this hormone stimulates endometriosis lesions.
The way IUDs treat endometriosis is not well understood. However, research shows that the hormonal medications in IUDs can help to:
Hormone-releasing IUDs are recommended for recurrent endometriosis treatment. An IUD can help with pelvic pain but can cause unwanted side effects, includingirregular period bleedingand weight gain.
How Endometriosis Is Diagnosed
Types of Birth Control
“Birth control” is a broad term used for multiple approaches to prevent pregnancy. There are various birth control options available. Effectiveness varies depending on the method chosen, how well the method is followed (consistency), ease of use, and side effects.
Birth control options are generally divided into two categories: hormonal and nonhormonal.Hormonal birth controltypically uses estrogen and/or progesterone medications to prevent pregnancy. These include:
Nonhormonal birth controlprevents pregnancy without the use of sex hormones. Some types of nonhormonal birth control include:
What Is the Best Birth Control for Endometriosis?
Each person is different, and your health history needs to be considered before selecting a birth control method. A healthcare provider will help you to find the best options to address endometriosis and to help prevent pregnancy.
IUDs are placed directly into the uterus, typically in the office during a medical appointment or at the hospital. The way IUDs prevent pregnancy depends on the type your provider inserts.
Types of IUDs
IUDs can be divided into two main types: copper and hormonal.
ParaGard, a copper IUD, does not contain medication. It prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg, greatly decreasing the possibility of getting pregnant.Due to the lack of hormones released from copper IUDs, they are ineffective in treating endometriosis.
Hormonal IUDsare made of plastic and contain hormones released slowly over time. The hormone-releasing IUDs contain levonorgestrel (a type ofprogestin hormone) and are available in the United States under these four brand names:
Who Should Use an IUD for Endometriosis?
If you are interested in using an IUD forendometriosis treatment, reach out to your healthcare provider and discuss the potential benefits and risks that may apply to you. Most people with a vagina and uterus can use an IUD. An IUD might help treat endometriosis, depending on your symptoms.
An IUD is not the right choice for everyone seeking endometriosis treatment. Mirena and other hormonal IUDs are not recommended for people who:
Benefits of Using an IUD for Endometriosis Relief
An IUD can provide relief from many of the symptoms of endometriosis. For most people, endometriosis is a chronic disease, and interventions focus on managing pain and heavy bleeding.
Mirena, one of the hormone-releasing IUDs, has the following benefits:
Side Effects and Risks of IUDs for Endometriosis
Most IUDs' side effects occur in the first few months after insertion. For most people, the side effects fade away over time. Some common side effects include:
Severe side effects can include:
IUD Side Effects to Help You Make Informed Decisions
Contact your provider or seek emergency care if you have fevers in the first few weeks of IUD placement. If you have severe pelvic or abdominal pain anytime your IUD is in place, seek medical care immediately.
Pregnancy and Endometriosis
For some people,endometriosis can affect fertilityand decrease their ability to become pregnant. This is especially true if endometriosis has caused scarring in the abdominal cavity over time (often called adhesions). Discuss your desires for pregnancy or birth control with a healthcare provider and work together to find the treatment options that are right for you.
Alternative Treatment Options
Discuss your endometriosis symptoms and desired treatment outcomes with a medical professional. There are varioustreatment optionsavailable depending on your symptoms and health history. A provider should review any treatments you have tried in the past and the goals for your care.
Discuss any treatments you are considering with a provider before starting them, including home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as not all treatments are safe for everyone. Some possible alternatives to an IUD to treat endometriosis include:
Summary
10 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.Brown J, Farquhar C.An overview of treatments for endometriosis.JAMA. 2015;313(3):296. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17119Gheorghisan-Galateanu A.Hormonal therapy in women of reproductive age with endometriosis: an update.Acta Endo (Buc). 2019;15(2):276-281. doi:10.4183/aeb.2019.276Armstrong C.ACOG updates guideline on diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.afp. 2011;83(1):84-85.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Defining it, recognizing it, and treating it.Planned Parenthood.Birth control.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQ: Endometriosis.Planned Parenthood.IUD birth control options.Mirena.Safety considerations for Mirena.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127-141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Horne AW, Missmer SA.Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis.BMJ. 2022:e070750. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-070750
10 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.Brown J, Farquhar C.An overview of treatments for endometriosis.JAMA. 2015;313(3):296. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17119Gheorghisan-Galateanu A.Hormonal therapy in women of reproductive age with endometriosis: an update.Acta Endo (Buc). 2019;15(2):276-281. doi:10.4183/aeb.2019.276Armstrong C.ACOG updates guideline on diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.afp. 2011;83(1):84-85.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Defining it, recognizing it, and treating it.Planned Parenthood.Birth control.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQ: Endometriosis.Planned Parenthood.IUD birth control options.Mirena.Safety considerations for Mirena.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127-141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Horne AW, Missmer SA.Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis.BMJ. 2022:e070750. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-070750
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.
Brown J, Farquhar C.An overview of treatments for endometriosis.JAMA. 2015;313(3):296. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17119Gheorghisan-Galateanu A.Hormonal therapy in women of reproductive age with endometriosis: an update.Acta Endo (Buc). 2019;15(2):276-281. doi:10.4183/aeb.2019.276Armstrong C.ACOG updates guideline on diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.afp. 2011;83(1):84-85.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Defining it, recognizing it, and treating it.Planned Parenthood.Birth control.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQ: Endometriosis.Planned Parenthood.IUD birth control options.Mirena.Safety considerations for Mirena.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127-141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Horne AW, Missmer SA.Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis.BMJ. 2022:e070750. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-070750
Brown J, Farquhar C.An overview of treatments for endometriosis.JAMA. 2015;313(3):296. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17119
Gheorghisan-Galateanu A.Hormonal therapy in women of reproductive age with endometriosis: an update.Acta Endo (Buc). 2019;15(2):276-281. doi:10.4183/aeb.2019.276
Armstrong C.ACOG updates guideline on diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.afp. 2011;83(1):84-85.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: Defining it, recognizing it, and treating it.
Planned Parenthood.Birth control.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.FAQ: Endometriosis.
Planned Parenthood.IUD birth control options.
Mirena.Safety considerations for Mirena.
Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127-141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755
Horne AW, Missmer SA.Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis.BMJ. 2022:e070750. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-070750
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