Since Estrogen from birth control is a risk factor for cancer, what can women with endometriosis use instead?

Question

All in the question

Answer 1

Since Estrogen from birth control is a risk factor for cancer, women with endometriosis should NOT use anything that has estrogen or progesterone in it.

BUT -- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) that contain estrogen and progestin are also called "the Pill." Birth control pills relieve endometriosis by stopping ovulation and decreasing the endometrium's monthly cycle of growing, bleeding, and shedding. They also affect the endometriosis growths (implants), making them shrink and bleed less.

Birth control pills are the first-choice treatment for controlling endometriosis growth and pain. This is because birth control hormones are the hormone therapy that is least likely to cause bad side effects. For this reason, they can be used for years, while other hormone therapies can only be used for several months to 2 years.

Birth control pills can be taken with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy, which helps further reduce endometriosis inflammation and pain-causing prostaglandins.

Birth control pills can also be used to stop or further slow endometriosis growths after endometriosis surgery.

Answer 2

low dose BC pills or surgery.

I think you are confused about estrogen in BC pills. It is a low dosage and does not put women at risk for cancer.

HOWEVER... the is harmone replacement therapy. I think that is what you are thining about - and it does put a woman at risk for cancer, but she would not be taking it until later in life. It is not a form of BC

Answer 3

The risk factor for cancer of breast is not as great as the discomfort of endometriosis. After menopause you can stop it and that is the age for cancer.

Answer 4

you can use a low-dose bc...like the mini-pill that they give breastfeeding women.

Answer 5

your gyno would answer your doubts betterthan us