Using progesterin pills for treatment of Adeno?

Hi,

I have adeno and minor endo, had the endo lasered out over two months ago. Went back to the doctor yesterday because I am still have same pain as I had before lap (presumably from the adeno he could not treat). I told him I have decided that I do not want to try Lupron or anything like that. He stated that it left two options for me, one being the conservative option of progesterin and the other being a hystorectomy. I have opted for the progesterin, although I'm a little worried that it won't do much for me. I was on birth control pills for a few years, and they really did nothing for my pain (maybe brought it down a notch but not much).

I guess my question is did anyone who has taken progesterin pills for pain, find they helped or hurt you more? My periods were somewhat heavy, was starting to have spotting for a week then a heavy period for another week on the pill, prior to my lap, but Dr. did a D&C and now I am not bleeding nearly as much as I was. I have mostly seen where the prop pills (aygestin - what I have been perscribed) is given for bleeding issued, but have not been able to tell if it helps for pain.

If anyone has any knowledge of how the progesterin pills might help/hurt someone who's main problem is uterine cramping, lower back ache, sciatic nerve issues, nausia and bad bloating because of enlarged uterus I would be very greatful.

Thank you,
Debra

Hi Debra

My experience with BCPs was similar to yours; lessened the pain a little bit, for a little while. After trying that, the NP tried me on Prometrium. My endometrial lining was think and for me it made the bleeding, clotting and pain worse.

It was my understanding that the hormone could help the condition causing the pain - therefore may lessen my pain, but it was not given as a "pain reliever", so to speak. The best pain relief I got was from large doses of Ibuprofen and a diuretic. (The dose of Ibuprofen I needed hurt my stomach so I had to drop down to a lower/less effective dose)

I did 3 months of Lupron before my ablation and was pain-free on the Lupron. For me, the side effects were nothing compared to my severe periods. I had some fibroids that were going to be removed (myomectomy) during my ablation... but during their attempted removal some were discovered to be large areas of adenomyosis instead. They resected the areas as deeply as safety would allow, but only 2-3 months after being off the Lupron U/S showed a drastic worsening of both my adenomyosis and fibroids.
I was fortunate to have the pathological evidence of my adenomyosis before having my hyst. (Very few women have that advantage.)

I hope your Progestin therapy after your recent D&C is beneficial to you. Good luck, dear. Let us know how it works for you.

Best wishes & s, Beth

Hi Debra

I have not used BCP's for pain relief of Endo but have read that many doctors do try using it because estrogen stimulates endo and Progesterone inhibits it.

The Progestin (while different than Natural Progesterone) is tried to help counteract estrogens negative effects or balance out the estrogen in our body. Many of womens female problems are thought to be associated with too much estrogen in the body and not enough progestrone.....Estrogen Domiance.

Here are a couple of articles I wanted to share that may be helpful. Progesterone to treat Endo and Medications to treat Edno

I hope this will work well for you and brings you some much needed pain relief.

Hi!
I tried the progest. pills...was on micronor for 2 months.
My GYN suspects adeno from u/s. My main symptom was 5 days of spotting before a period. Was not in very much pain except the 2 or 3 heavy days that I got bad cramps.
Anyhow, I found the pills made me crampy all month. Just a mild crampiness but nonetheless still there. As far as the bleeding it didn't make it worse but it did not help it either. So, I stopped taking them. For now I will deal with the spotting and all. I am not ready for surgery...though that is my only option now. If I get to the point I am bleeding heavy all the time and cramps get unbearable, then I will have the hysterectomy.
Good luck, I hope the pills help you. Everyone is different and so they may help you!

GINA

I tried using progesterone for almost a year before my surgery. It did seem to slow down the bleeding just a little on the really bad days. If I was cramping and used it, it would sometimes help the cramps, if they were not too bad.

Taking calcium and magnesium 1200 mg/day helped with the cramping more than anything else did, but still it did not go away.

After a year of really megadosing on the progesterone and having the side affects of that, my uterus had doubled in size and I finally reached a point where it was extremely difficult to maintain any kind of iron level. I know that Dr John Lee says it works, and we will never know if it slowed it down, but for me it did not reverse anything.

It must work for some people though, and maybe you will be one of those.

Kay

Thank you everyone for your input,

I am going to give it a try, but going by everyone elses experience I'm not going to expect too much from it. My biggest fear is it having a bad effect on me mentally. I have heard a lot of stories of these pills effecting alot of peoples moods, I used to be such an even kealed person, but it seems after a couple of years dealing with this I've become more emotional and just down right grumpy at times. I don't want to get worse, my poor husband has to deal with enough as it is, and kids. Oh well, guess the only way to find out is to just try it. Now all I have to do is wait for my darned period to get here, wouldn't you know when you want it to show up it takes its sweet old time.

Debra