Contents
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.
Improperly functioning endometrial cells provoke the formation of adhesions, cysts, scar tissue. This leads to the appearance of pain, infertility, malignant tumors. The basis of this pathology is a violation of 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, possible side effects. Not all women can use hormonal drugs, so a special approach to the treatment of endometriosis is often required.
Contraindications to hormone treatment
The list of contraindications includes the following reasons:
Dysplasia of the cervix;
Allergy to hormone-containing drugs;
Cardiovascular diseases, predisposition to thromboembolism;
Uterine fibroids, ovarian cyst with indications for surgical removal;
Systemic metabolic disorders;
Diseases of the hematopoietic organs (porphyria, thrombocytopenia);
Liver and kidney failure;
Arterial hypertension;
Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus);
Malignant neoplasms.
In the presence of 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 his symptoms are severe, this approach will no longer be effective.
Stages of endometriosis:
There are isolated foci of the disease.
Glandular cells spread through the intestines, ovaries, enter the lungs, bladder.
The foci of the disease penetrate into the deeper layers of tissues, the adhesive process begins.
Serious dysfunctions occur in the organs, cysts filled with tar-like contents are formed, 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 the foci of the disease is indicated.
Methods of non-hormonal therapy:
Treatment with antispasmodics, immunomodulators, sedatives and anti-inflammatory drugs;
Diagnostic laparoscopy;
Computer reflexology;
Physiotherapy;
Hirudotherapy – treatment with leeches;
Balneotherapy – treatment with mud;
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.
Drug groups:
Immunomodulators. Normally, lymphocytes and macrophages – fighters of the immune system – eliminate foreign cells outside their inherent localizations. In the event of endometriosis, the immune defense weakens, so the endometrial tissues spread 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. Preparations of this group build protection against free radicals that carry the risk of malignant cell transformation. For these purposes, Pycnogenol, tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid are used.
Antispasmodics. Medicines stop the spasm of smooth muscles, which interferes with normal blood circulation and the functioning of organs – No-shpa, Spasmalgon, drotaverine hydrochloride.
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 by means such as Ferroplex, Fenyuls.
Preparations for the normalization of hormonal levels (phytohormones). According to the doctor’s indications, analogues of hormones of plant origin are prescribed, which reduce the production of prolactin, normalize the hormonal cycle, and positively affect the dynamics of the disease – Cyclodinone.
Lyophilisate of animal origin. The complex protein preparation Endoferin is widely used for the treatment of 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 endometrial tissue due to the fact that it suppresses the production of cytokines, leads to inactivation and atrophy of active glandular cells. Endoferin does not cause allergic reactions, is not 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 such treatment is the normalization of reproductive functions and hormonal balance.
The essence of the method is the impact of weak direct current discharges on biologically active points that connect the autonomic nervous system and the brain. Medicines are not used in this method of treatment.
The result of computer reflexology:
The work of the immune and nervous systems is normalized;
Hormonal imbalance is eliminated – estrogen production 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 hormonal studies.
Laparoscopy
Modern minimally invasive methods of surgical intervention will help to avoid large-scale surgical effects on the body. One such method 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 – operating channels for instruments. Although the procedure is short-lived, it is performed under general anesthesia while meeting all the requirements for invasive interventions.
Benefits of laparoscopy:
In addition to diagnosis, there is the possibility of targeted removal of small foci of genital and extragenital endometriosis;
The organs are injured to a minimal extent, the woman does not lose the ability to bear children;
During laparoscopy, the doctor removes adhesions, which has a positive effect on fertility.
Modern medicine has the ability to replace the excision of the focus of endometriosis with its cauterization using electrocoagulation or a laser knife. Such an intervention is less traumatic, reduces the risk of spreading 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 protect against such cases.
Physiotherapy
The use of physiotherapy methods is indicated for endometriosis for the following reasons:
Physiological;
Security;
Painlessness;
Possibility to choose an individual load;
Prolonged aftereffect;
Lack of toxicity, allergenic factor;
Compatibility with other treatments;
The locality of the therapeutic effect;
Economic benefit.
Such treatment is indicated in the initial stages of the disease, it helps to eliminate the adhesive process and prevent postoperative complications, 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:
Low-frequency pulsed currents (iodine electrophoresis) – anesthetize, have a sedative effect, normalize hormonal balance, do not take with urolithiasis, the effect extends for 2-4 months;
Magnetotherapy – normalizes the state of the nervous system, produces a sedative effect, improves tissue microcirculation;
UV radiation, magneto-laser therapy – has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, biostimulating effect on the foci of the disease.
With endometriosis, it is forbidden to use the following physiotherapeutic methods: massage of the lumbosacral zone, mud treatment, diathermy, paraffin therapy, hydrogen sulfide and turpentine baths, as these procedures stimulate excessive estrogen production, which is undesirable in this case.
Balneotherapy
This powerful and effective program for the treatment of endometriosis includes the use of radon and iodine-bromine baths in combination with vaginal irrigation and microenemas with radon water.
The effect of radon on the female body:
Anesthesia,
sedative effect;
Normalization of the level of gonadotropins;
Decreased hyperestrogenism, increased progesterone levels.
The period of aftereffect from the use of radon baths lasts up to 6 months.
The effect of iodine-bromine baths and vaginal irrigation:
Increasing the threshold of pain sensitivity;
Decreased blood pressure;
Normalization of thyroid function;
Suppression of excessive estrogen production;
Anti-inflammatory action.
The period of aftereffect of iodine-bromine baths is 4 months.
Additionally, coniferous and bischofite baths are used, which have a sedative, antispastic effect, which have 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. At hirudotherapy sessions, medical leeches are applied at 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 the cure for endometriosis.
Effect of hirudotherapy:
The overgrown endometrium is reduced;
The menstrual cycle is normalized;
Stabilizes the volume of menstrual flow;
Adhesions and endometrioid cysts resolve;
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 the treatment of symptoms of endometriosis.