Women with endometriosis often find that their condition is more problematic than they thought. Besides suffering from painful and heavy periods, discomfort with sex and bowel movements, another possible negative side effect with endometriosis is weight gain. More and more women today are looking for ways to ward off endometriosis and its bothersome side effects.
endometriosis and weight gain
Some women find that endometriosis treatment can cause weight gain. This may be due to the three most popular types of drugs used to treat endometriosis.
o Danazol — The pituitary gland is one of the parts of the body that releases hormones. Danazol works by blocking the production and release of the hormones FSH and LH. This results in a temporary end to your menstrual cycle that will last a quarter to three-quarters of a year. Side effects include weight gain, oily skin and fatigue
Birth control pills — Contraceptives can also work as a hormonal treatment to overcome endometriosis. The type and frequency of birth control pills that one should take generally depend on the advice of your doctor. Contraceptives work by controlling the levels of progesterone and estrogen in your body. Again, this leads to a temporary stop to your monthly flow. If you choose to make this treatment permanent, your doctor may recommend increasing the frequency or dosage gradually. Nausea and blood clots as well as weight gain are a side effect of this treatment.
o Progestin — This drug temporarily stops your ovulation and interferes with the growth of endometrial cells. It also comes with many side effects of which weight gain is one of them.
prevent weight gain due to medication
It is frustrating for women that the drugs that are supposed to help our symptoms also have some unpleasant side effects. One of the most troublesome is weight gain which is often due to the medicines you are taking. Here are some things you can do to keep your weight under control.
Exercise– This may be a simple solution, and an obvious one at that, but its effectiveness cannot be denied. Exercise can counter the weight gain side effect of your medication. In addition, exercise can also reduce the severity of endometriosis symptoms as it inhibits the production of estrogen and releases endorphins into the system.
Change medication — There are other hormonal treatments you can take that don’t have the side effect of weight gain. Consider a GnRH-agonist. These drugs treat endometriosis by releasing modified hormones that can block the production of estrogen and result in a temporary stoppage of your menstrual cycles. The course of treatment lasts for about 6 months and the benefits can be felt for another 6 months. Although weight gain is not a side effect, there is a possibility of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and loss of bone density during treatment, this usually resolves after discontinuing treatment.
Using Natural Remedies — Of course, you also have the option of ditching medical treatments all together and turning to something more natural. You can treat endometriosis in a number of ways such as taking herbal remedies, using stress-management and relaxation techniques, acupuncture, or contrast sitz baths. Before stopping any prescribed treatment talk to your doctor and inform him about your decision.
Change your diet — Even if you want to continue using the medications mentioned above, you can still prevent weight gain by actively making changes to your diet. Even if your medicine has this particular side effect, it won’t cause you to gain too much weight if you’re eating the right kinds of foods. Avoid processed, fried and sugary foods and choose a diet made up of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats and fish.
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There are many ways for you to overcome endometriosis without gaining weight, but keep in mind that most of them will require some work to keep your figure slim.
Source by Shelley Ross
