Endometriosis Support Group

i agree with you completely! ive been on continuous bc for some time now and i dont see or feel any difference.

I didnt know this, I thought it halted the progress of endo. thanks for putting me straight.

I don't know I kinda have to question that, well not the stopping it, nothing really does that but the slowing the progression...case in point me! Cont BCP kept my severe Stage 4 Endo under control with little to no growth for years! Plus there the science behind it, Endo works as your cycle does, so just like the "Lupron depot" treatment shuts down your system so the Endo has no chance to grow hence the theory behind continuous BCP, you've in essence partially hauled your cycle, if your not menstruating then the Endo is not having it's cycle and doesn't get a change to continue growth, that's why during pregnancy and menopause it normally ceases. Now I will certainly give you that this disease certainly carries with it a lot of individualized situations, seems everyone one of us have a slightly different story and that what works for one doesn’t work for another, even when the “cases” is similar, but I just wanted to chime in because anytime someone puts a “moratorium” out there I get worried, because of that very reason. It’s important to educate ourselves, but in that keep our objectivity.

I do agree we need to see all the answers/explanations before making decisions, especially when it comes to drugs etc. with endo. And I recognize your fact that some gals have had endo slowed with BCP. But the medical fact is that the chemical/hormones in birth control do not stop endo from growing.
While I was on CBCP my endo grew much worse to the point of me being unable to function or work and when I asked the surgeon (who is a Harvard grad as opposed to my not so smart family doc) he said that menopause and that type of drugs like Lupron are said to slow or stop endo growth, but BCP only mask/slow/alleviate symptoms.
It makes sense, when I read how BCPs work:
Birth control pills are a synthetic form of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They prevent ovulation by maintaining more consistent hormone levels.

Lupron (or menopause) causes a significant reduction in estrogen levels, and causes women to experience menopause-like side effects.

Since BCP almost always contain estrogen etc., it would make sense it can't remove, stop or prevent endometriosis (which is made up of estrogen and which would explain why some of us with severe endo get worse on CBCP - too much estrogen).
Anyhow, it is good we all have opinions, I guess that is how the information gets shared!

I personnally had no alleviation as a result of BCP untill I had my lap and then started the CBCP. They made a huge difference in my pain levels. I have been off of it for 3 months and so far so good (knock on wood). I still amhaving some pain, but so far it has been manageable. I am not sure if I should thank the lap or the BCP's but either way I am happy.

Regardless of the science you should do what works for your body at the time. You know if it is helping and if the advantages outweight the disadvantages.

Thank you to all who are sharing experiences with continuous BCP! I can add that I thought continuous BCP would be a good thing to be on because (1)it would alleviate symptoms and be less draining on my body than Lupron and (2) be a step in the right direction to normalcy.
For me, it did not work. I was taken off continuous BCP (after attempts with 2 different pills) after suffering severe migraines to the point of not being able to see! My dr. was concerned about strokes. YIKES! So now I am on nothing - cold turkey and beginning to have pain through the roof some days, and uncertain about what to do next!! Any ideas? Suggestions? I was looking/reading about Menastil - any thoughts? Maybe that's for another topic to add to the forum! I'll add it and see! But in meantime: what are others doing instead of continuous BCP? (for those who have not had success)

I only know this because of my own research. If I had listened to my doctor I would think it actually helps! I just recently stopped taking it and he said, "You shouldn't go off of it because your Endo will grow back!" I was on it for 15 years straight and the past 3 years of continuous BC. I am 30 now and have had Excision treatment. I think it is time to go off! Thanks for posting this Utah for all the ladies out there that are told the same thing as I was.

Continuous BCP has worked for me so I disagree with calling it a "myth". I was completely clear of endo when I started it and there has been no chance for it to grow with no cycles. I've always been able to tell when it's coming back and so far I feel great and normal. It's a strange disease so who knows? But I'm sticking with what works for me.

I just wanted to clarify that I do agree being on continuous BCP does work for some women in terms of symptom relief and avoiding constant surgeries and/or harder drugs like Lupron. I am just saying it does not stop the disease.

But (and I know some gals will get really angry about this), I firmly believe most women, especially with endo, need to be really carefully evaluated before taking the pill....my sister was put on the pill and because they didn't really look into her health problems at the time she had a grand mal seizure.

I read recently in a medical journal that some doctors believe some endo sufferers actually cannot tolerate certain hormones due to a type of allergy and although I have no clue if they are right, I know the pill has always caused me to vomit, get exhausted, suffer severe pain and make me mentally out of it.

It seems like since we all have opposite experiences, they need to stop just handing it out and making blanket statements like 'it cures endo' or 'it works for endo' when really it obviously does not for everyone.

I agree with your statement Utah. I trusted my doctor and believed that the pill was a "cure" when I was diagnosed with Endo in 2005. I have taken birth control for 15 years straight! I was originally put on it for bad and painful periods at age 15 with no clue what Endo was. The pain never stopped, but only got progressively worse and the symptoms piled on. It was not until this past August when I had Excision surgery and stopped taking the pill that I have finally found relief! I have stage 4 by the way. This disease is so frustrating and debilitating. We are all so different aren't we???