There are a couple of options for people who have endometriosis that can help with the pain and the heavy periods. As a first line of defense, especially for those who do not have children and are younger are hormonal countermeasures, like birth control. This was something I had been trying on and off for over 12 years and it personally offered me nothing more than lighter periods.
It was not until I tried Megestrol, a medicine that is offered to cancer patients to make them hungry, that my period and pain stopped. Unfortunately, that medication was not good for me long term, as my pain crept back in and I gained weight (which was not helpful for me, personally). I also tried an IUD, as a stronger countermeasure, but I had to get it surgically removed due to it making the pain worse and having a period for over a month.
Because of the level of pain I had experienced and frustration with the way hormonal medication was being forced on me, I decided to look into other options in case my current hormonal treatment becomes ineffective at some point.
For those of you in the same position, here are some options you might take before you try what I am currently taking:
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1. Conservative surgery – for endometriosis patients who wish to preserve their reproductive organs in order to have children later on in life. Unfortunately endometriosis and the pain that accompanies it may return.
2. Hysterectomy – this process is not currently a commonly used procedure, as it does not cure endometriosis and women can still be left with pain.
3. Acupuncture
4. Pain medication
After researching for an endometriosis specialist within my hospital branch, I found one and she told me that I had really almost tried everything she had to offer, hormonal wise, and that we could give this new medication a try, which is Orilissa.
According to https://www.orilissa.com/ Orilissa is a hormone that was designed specifically to help women with their moderate to severe endometriosis pain. Currently, I take 150 mg of Orilissa once a day and I have been on it for a month now, officially one month and one week. During that first month I did not have too many symptoms other than an extremely light period and lessened pain. My pain increases much more before and during my period, unlike how it used to be at all times.
The first month I was extremely uncomfortable despite my significantly lighter flow, and I was concerned because of my increasing pain levels. My doctor told me to give it three months for it to fully get into my system and give it a chance.
As of today, I have not gotten any symptoms, other than a sharp pain here and there.
The main website says the most common side effects of Orilissa include: hot flashes and night sweats, headache, nausea, difficulty sleeping, absence of periods, anxiety, joint pain, depression, and mood changes.
If anything, I have experienced headaches, the occasional hot flash and the absence of periods. I usually would have gotten my period by now, but that has not changed either. Orilissa has not caused me any symptoms in particular other than a lightened cycle and it has been helping with my pain.
I would like to note that while everyone may not experience lighter cycles or ceasing of periods, it is likely. I will say try to take bone supplements, as that is one of the biggest long-term effects, a decrease in bone density.
I will continue to update you all as I go, but so far, so good!
