How to cure endometriosis without hormones
Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease that, in addition to the pelvic organs, affects the endocrine and nervous systems. With this pathology, the endometrium of the uterus spreads throughout the body, during menstruation, under the influence of ovarian hormones, it bleeds, causing unpleasant symptoms.
Abnormally functioning endometrial cells provoke the formation of adhesions, cysts, scar tissue. This leads to the appearance of pain syndrome, infertility, and malignant tumors. This pathology is based on impaired immunity, hormonal imbalance. Since endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disease, hormonal drugs are often included in its treatment regimen. The use of drugs from this pharmacological group requires strict consideration of contraindications and possible side effects. Not all women can use hormonal drugs, therefore, a special approach to the treatment of endometriosis is often required.
Content:
- Contraindications to hormone treatment
- Approaches to non-hormonal treatment
- Conservative therapy of endometriosis without hormones
- Computer reflexology
- Laparoscopy
- Physiotherapy
- Balneotherapy
- Hirudotherapy
Contraindications to hormone treatment
The list of contraindications includes the following reasons:
- Dysplasia of the cervix;
- Allergy to hormone-containing drugs;
- Cardiovascular disease, predisposition to thromboembolism;
- Uterine fibroids, ovarian cyst with indications for surgical removal;
- Systemic metabolic disorders;
- Diseases of the hematopoietic organs (porphyria, thrombocytopenia);
- Hepatic and renal failure;
- Arterial hypertension;
- Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
- Malignant neoplasms.
If there is at least one contraindication, an individual treatment regimen for endometriosis is required.
Approaches to non-hormonal treatment
Endometriosis therapy, in which hormones are excluded from the treatment regimen, is used in the initial stages of the disease. If its symptoms are severe, this approach will no longer be effective.
Endometriosis stages:
- There are isolated foci of the disease.
- Glandular cells spread through the intestines, ovaries, and enter the lungs, bladder.
- The foci of the disease penetrate into the deeper layers of tissues, the adhesion process begins.
- In the organs, serious functional disorders occur, cysts are formed, filled with tarry contents, adhesions and scars make the organs immobile relative to each other, perforation of hollow organs may occur.
In the third and fourth stages of endometriosis, surgical treatment of foci of the disease is indicated.
Non-hormonal therapy methods:
- Treatment with antispasmodics, immunomodulators, sedatives and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Diagnostic laparoscopy;
- Computer reflexology;
- Physiotherapy;
- Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches;
- Balneotherapy - mud treatment;
- Homeopathy and traditional medicine.
Conservative therapy of endometriosis without hormones
The main direction of symptomatic treatment of endometriosis is to increase the resistance of the immune system, relieve pain, treat the consequences of hemorrhagic anemia, and eliminate neuropsychiatric manifestations.
Groups of drugs:
- Immunomodulators. Normally, lymphocytes and macrophages - the fighters of the immune system - eliminate foreign cells outside their inherent localizations. In the event of endometriosis, the immune defenses are weakened, so the endometrial tissue spreads outside the uterus. In the treatment of the disease, immunomodulators such as Viferon in the form of suppositories, Ronkoferon, Cycloferon, Timogen, Levamisole are used.
- Antioxidants The drugs of this group build up protection against free radicals, which carry the risk of malignant cell degeneration. For these purposes, Pycnogenol, tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid are used.
- Antispasmodics. Medicines stop spasm of smooth muscles, which interferes with normal blood circulation and the functioning of organs - No-shpa, Spazmalgon, drotaverine hydrochloride.
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Tranquilizers. They have a sedative effect, calm the nervous system, relieve psycho-emotional stress - Seduxen, Elenium, Tazepam, Phenazepam.
- Iron preparations. Treatment of hemorrhagic anemia is carried out with such means as Ferroplex, Fenuls.
- Preparations for the normalization of hormonal levels (phytohormones). According to the doctor's indications, analogues of herbal hormones are prescribed, which reduce the production of prolactin, normalize the hormonal cycle, and have a positive effect on the dynamics of the disease - Cyclodinone.
- Lyophilisate of animal origin. The complex protein preparation Endoferin is widely used to treat endometriosis. It prevents anemia, delayed menstruation, breakthrough bleeding. The drug is made from the ovaries of cattle, but is not a hormonal drug. It inhibits the endometrial tissue due to the fact that it suppresses the production of cytokines, leads to inactivation and atrophy of active glandular cells. Endopherin does not cause allergic reactions, is non-toxic, does not affect reproductive function.
Computer reflexology
This method is used to treat all forms of endometriosis. It is based on the restoration of neuroendocrine connections, immune regulation of the woman's body. The result of this treatment is the normalization of reproductive functions and hormonal balance.
The essence of the method lies in the effect of weak direct current discharges on biologically active points connecting the autonomic nervous system and the brain. Medicines are not used with this method of treatment.
The result of computer reflexology:
- The work of the immune and nervous system is normalized;
- The hormonal imbalance is eliminated - the production of estrogen decreases, and progesterone, on the contrary, increases;
- The innervation of the reproductive organs is restored;
- Often there is a cure for infertility;
- A healthy structure and normal functioning of the uterus, ovaries, and mammary glands are ensured.
The positive effect of the method can be monitored by examining the hormonal background.
Laparoscopy
Modern minimally invasive methods of surgical intervention will help to avoid large-scale surgical effects on the body. One of these methods is laparoscopy. It is performed by manipulating the abdominal cavity with special instruments under the control of high-resolution optics. In the anterior wall of the peritoneum, 3 incisions are made - the operating channels for the instruments. Although the procedure is short-lived, it is performed under general anesthesia and all requirements for invasive procedures are met.
Benefits of laparoscopy:
- In addition to diagnostics, there is the possibility of targeted removal of small foci of genital and extragenital endometriosis;
- The organs are minimally injured, the woman does not lose the ability to bear children;
- In laparoscopy, the doctor removes adhesions, which has a positive effect on fertility.
Modern medicine has the ability to replace the excision of an endometriosis focus with cauterization using electrocoagulation or a laser knife. Such an intervention is less traumatic, reduces the risk of proliferation of endometrial cells, which theoretically exists with incorrect removal of pathogenic tissues. Normally, the material is removed through the operating channel in a special container in order to prevent such cases.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy methods is indicated for endometriosis for the following reasons:
- Physiology;
- Safety;
- Painlessness;
- The ability to select an individual load;
- Long-term aftereffect;
- Lack of toxicity, allergenic factor;
- Compatibility with other treatments;
- The locality of the therapeutic effect;
- Economic profitability.
Such treatment is indicated in the initial stages of the disease, it helps to eliminate the adhesions and prevent postoperative complications, and stops the progression of endometriosis.
Contraindications to physiotherapy:
- The presence of endometrioid ovarian cysts;
- III – IV stages of the disease;
- Taking psychotropic drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Physical factors used in the treatment of endometriosis:
- Impulse currents of low frequency (iodine electrophoresis) - anesthetize, have a sedative effect, normalize hormonal balance, do not take with urolithiasis, the effect extends to 2-4 months;
- Magnetotherapy - normalizes the state of the nervous system, produces a sedative effect, improves tissue microcirculation;
- UV radiation, magnetic laser therapy - has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, biostimulating effect on the foci of the disease.
In case of endometriosis, it is prohibited to use the following physiotherapeutic methods: massage of the lumbosacral zone, mud treatment, diathermy, paraffin therapy, hydrogen sulfide and turpentine baths, since these procedures stimulate the excessive production of estrogen, which is undesirable in this case.
Balneotherapy
This powerful and effective endometriosis treatment program includes the use of radon and iodine-bromine baths in combination with vaginal irrigation and microclysters with radon water.
The effect of radon on the female body:
- Anesthesia,
- Sedation;
- Normalization of the level of gonadotropins;
- Decreased hyperestrogenism, increased progesterone levels.
The aftereffect from the use of radon baths lasts up to 6 months.
The action of iodine-bromine baths and vaginal irrigation:
- Increased pain threshold;
- Decrease in blood pressure;
- Normalization of thyroid function;
- Suppression of excessive production of estrogen;
- Anti-inflammatory action.
The aftereffect period of iodine-bromine baths is 4 months.
In addition, coniferous and bischofite baths are used, which have a sedative, antispastic effect, having an analgesic effect due to thermal, chemical and mechanical effects on skin receptors. The aftereffect of the course of treatment with baths is from 3 to 5 months.
Hirudotherapy
Treatment of endometriosis with leeches is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a specialist and after a diagnostic examination. The doctor determines the frequency and duration of the method. During hirudotherapy sessions, medical leeches are applied to the projection sites of the uterus, ovaries, sacrum, acupuncture points and even inside the vagina. They secrete more than 100 types of biologically active compounds at the site of the bite, which has a positive effect on the dynamics of recovery from endometriosis.
Influence of hirudotherapy:
- The overgrown endometrium decreases;
- The menstrual cycle is normalized;
- The volume of menstrual flow is stabilized;
- Adhesions and endometrioid cysts dissolve;
- Pregnancy occurs with infertility caused by endometriosis;
- The intensity of the pain syndrome decreases.
It is possible to use several courses of treatment with leeches, in which case there should be breaks of several months between them.
Treatment of endometriosis with alternative methods has a positive effect on the health of patients who are contraindicated in hormone treatment, as well as on the dynamics of treatment of endometriosis symptoms.
Find out more: Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches at home
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
