There is much to discuss in relation to endometriosis. As the information provided here is only brief you should ask your doctor for further details if you are affected.

A diagnosis of endometriosis varies from mild to serious, and diagnosis may or may not contribute to infertility. The disorder could certainly cause a mechanical problem in the reproductive system, but this is not always the case. With the help of a laparoscopy, the seriousness of the condition can be assessed, and sometimes surgery can be used to minimise it. Drug therapies - usually gonadotrophin releasing agonists (GnRH agonists) - can also be used in some cases.

The rationale behind drug therapy is to try to lower oestrogen levels in order to reduce the amount of endometrial tissue outside the womb. For this reason, you will normally NOT be able to become pregnant if you use these medicines and you should probably also not try to become pregnant.

This is normally achieved with a GnRH agonist. The dosage and timing of therapy is decided upon by the doctor and depends on the body of the woman and the seriousness of the endometriosis. If the treatment is stopped, the endometriosis can, in many cases, return.

• Weight gain
• Retention of moisture
• Lethargy
• Acne
• Facial hair
• Cramps
• Hot flushes
• If GnRH is used for a prolonged time, osteoporosis can occur.