What medicine is used to treat endometriosis

Patient's question:

Patient Age: 23
Medical History: Hello Doctor: I am a patient with endometriosis, and the doctor here has prescribed me the medication "Mirena." I would like to ask if taking this medication has side effects? Can it be cured? Will it cause weight gain? What are some good solutions? Is there a better medication available?

Doctor's answer:

Hello: There are certain side effects, but relatively speaking, they are minor compared to your underlying condition.
Treatment methods mainly fall into two categories: surgery and medication. The choice of treatment should be based on factors such as the patient's age, the severity of the condition, and whether there are fertility requirements. Treatment should be tailored to the individual.
### I. Surgical Treatment:
Surgery was the earliest method used for treating endometriosis and remains one of the primary approaches to this day. It is mainly suitable for patients with severe conditions or those experiencing severe pain that is unresponsive to medication.
#### (1) Conservative Surgery:
Only the endometrial lesions are removed while preserving the ovaries and uterus. This is suitable for younger patients who wish to preserve their fertility. Approximately 50%-60% of patients can become pregnant after surgery. However, the recurrence rate of pain is relatively high.
#### (2) Semi-radical Surgery:
Endometrial lesions are removed along with the uterus, while at least part of the ovaries are preserved. This is suitable for patients who have already given birth, are over 35 years old, suffer from persistent pain, or have concurrent uterine conditions. Semi-radical surgery can effectively alleviate menstrual pain and has a very low chance of recurrence after surgery.
#### (3) Radical Surgery:
Both bilateral adnexa and the uterus are removed, which can completely cure endometriosis. This is suitable for women in menopause. In recent years, laparoscopic surgery has been widely used to treat endometriosis. All surgical procedures that can be performed through open surgery can also be done laparoscopically. Additionally, laparoscopic surgery offers advantages such as minimal trauma, faster recovery, and reduced postoperative pelvic adhesion.
The symptom relief rate and pregnancy rate after laparoscopic surgery can achieve the same effects as open surgery. It is gaining increasing attention.
### II. Medication:
Medication is suitable for patients with mild conditions and those with small chocolate cysts in the ovaries.