Endometriosis affects women of reproductive age, accounting for 17 million across the 7 major markets. Being a complex disorder makes it difficult to diagnose and treatment discoveries so limited to the management of symptoms.

Symptoms of endometriosis include severe and chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and marked infertility.

Current treatment management of endometriosis comprises the use of analgesics to manage pain and oral contraceptive pills preventing ovulation to minimize thickness of the endometrial layer of the uterus.

Over the years, continued researches have been made to create the specific drug to treat endometriosis. Having understood the pathophysiology of the disease has opened the possibilities of creating drugs that will target the hypothalamic-pituitary areas of the brain to inhibit the production of GnRH (Gonadotropic releasing hormone) that is responsible in stimulating hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle.

Drugs available that have a promising outcome in the treatment of endometriosis include the following medications; Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane, and vorozole), Leukotriene-Antagonists (zafirlukast accolate), montelukast (Singulaire), and zileuton (Ziflo) and Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators (SERMs) raloxifene (Evista) or tibolone).

Another drug is the Neurocrine’s elagolix, the first oral non peptide gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. Phase II trials have shown that it is effective in treating endometriosis during the 6 months clinical trial therapy.

The complementary alternative medicines are doing their own research and here are some common plant sources of plant stem cell extracts that have positive effect in the control of the reproductive hormones: Rye seed rootlets (Secale Cereale) are found to be good in Endometriosis, Adenomyosis by regulating the hormonal balance;

Raspberry young shoots (Rubus Idaeus) stimulates estrogen and progesterone by regulating ovarian function and Oriental Plane tree buds (Platanus Orientals) stimulates the pituitary enzymes that decreases potency of estrogen reducing the risk for breast cancer and endometriosis.

There are a lot of studies done to help women cope with the discomfort and fertility risks of endometriosis and if you are a woman of very young age and have a family history of endometriosis, the first step towards winning this battle is to seek help early.

The telltale signs that might tell you, you may have the disorder are irregular menstrual cycle, severe dysmenorrhea, presence of blood clots during menstrual flow and in between bleeding characterized by dark red to dark brown stains. If you have experienced any of this, have an early appointment with a Gynecologist for proper evaluation, management and treatment.