Endometriosis Support Group

Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.

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amberlink09 07/20/2011

Hey ladies!

I need a little advice on birth control. I've been on YAZ for probably six years and I was diagnosed with endo just a few months ago but my doctor just told me to start taking the YAZ continuously and that should help. He wanted to try treatment before doing the lap since the endo didn't show up on my ultrasound he didn't feel the surgery was necessary. Also, all of my symptoms match perfectly with endo and I have spent a few years trying to get diagnosed and had many tests, so he didn't think the lap was necessary to diagnose. (sorry for rambling)

Anyways, the YAZ hasn't been helping me at all, and if anything I am getting worse. I decided to schedule the lap so I could at least get some temporary relief, but I just lost my insurance so I can't afford it anymore :/ So, I want to turn to a new treatment, and I've read that progestin only birth control can be really effective, but what works best with the least side effects? I would love to hear your opinions!

Thanks!
Amber

deleted_user 07/20/2011

I'm just getting switched off Yaz as it didn't do much except lighten my periods, but now I'm spotting and nowhere near that point in my cycle. I'll definitely let you know what the dr recommends and see if it has any different effects for me. It seems like endo is the diva of reproductive problems, picking and choosing at random which treatments will work for some and not others. . .. .ugh.

amberlink09 07/20/2011

Yeah I completely agree. I originally went on YAZ because I was getting my period once every two weeks and they were about a week long at a time, then for a long time with the YAZ my periods were only two or three days. Last January though my periods somehow became 8 days long despite the birth control... it seems that anything that does actually work only works for a little while. Endo is definitely the diva of reproductive problems!

deleted_user 07/21/2011

It sure is. And yet, with each treatment I try, no matter how brief the relief I dins may be, I feel as though we are all inching closer to sneaking up behind it and kicking its butt:)

whyme123 07/21/2011

Were you surgically diagnosed with endo? It does not show up on ultrasounds so you can not go by that. Surgery is the ONLY way to diagnose endo.

Sorry you lost your insurance. Trying birth control is ok but please have an official diagnosis (if you don't already) before you try anything else.

amberlink09 07/21/2011

Unfortunately I can't get a surgical diagnosis because I don't have insurance right now, and my doctor thinks its best to avoid surgery at the moment anyways. For a long time doctors thought I had IBS, and a list of other things. I've had ultrasounds, MRIs, x-rays, barium tests, spinal taps, been hospitalized twiced, had an endoscopy, the list goes on. Finally I went to my gyn and mentioned the pain I have during sex and how it just keeps getting worse and he suggested endometriosis. Since going on the YAZ continuously I am feeling a bit better so I do think we are on the right track, but I have so many medical bills and now no insurance so I really can't get the lap for a while :/

deleted_user 07/21/2011

I have insurance, but it's pretty rotten. There is a generic of YAZ, which is what my dr prescribed for me. I don't know how much the cost difference is, but if YAZ is helping you and you don't have many other options at this point, it might be something worth looking into.

deleted_user 07/22/2011

I have been on continuous Progestin-only BC since my lap in November 2010. I was diagnosed with stage 3 endo. The lap and continuous BC gave me a lot of relief... for a while. During the past month I have noticed the distinct endo back pain coming back. :(

Sorry you lost your insurance... you definitely want to wait until you have that. My surgery was less than two hours long and I was out of the surgical center within 6 hours and the bill was $18000. Insurance covered about $16500 though, so it was affordable for me.

I would say for now, try the progestin only BC. I had a little bit of nausea when I started on it, but that was it. When starting other BCs I dealt with other side effects like migraines, breast tenderness, etc. Also, I am taking a generic form of mine, and even if I didn't have insurance it would only be about $30 for 30 days.

Good luck, and I hope you find some relief. 100% definitely go for the surgery when you get insurance again, just make sure you clear it through your insurance company because they may consider it a pre-existing condition.

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