Women who suffer from endometriosis often find that their condition is more problematic than they thought. In addition to having to endure heavy and painful periods, discomfort with intercourse and having bowel movements, another possible negative side effect of endometriosis is weight gain. More and more women are looking for ways to overcome endometriosis and its annoying side effects.
Endometriosis and weight gain
Few women realize that endometriosis treatment can lead to weight gain. This can be caused by three of the 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 cessation of your menstrual cycle that will last for a quarter to three quarters of a year. Side effects include weight gain, oily skin, and tiredness.
o Birth Control Pills: Birth control pills can also work as a hormonal treatment to overcome endometriosis. The type and frequency of birth control pills to take will generally depend on your doctor’s advice. Birth control works by regulating the levels of progesterone and estrogen in your body. Again, this leads to a temporary interruption in your monthly flow. If you decide to make this treatment permanent, your doctor may recommend a gradual increase in frequency or dose. Again, weight gain is a side effect of this treatment, along with nausea and blood clots.
o Progestogens: this medicine causes a temporary interruption of ovulation and hinders the growth of endometrial cells. This also comes with a number of side effects of which weight gain is one of them.
Prevent weight gain caused by medication
It’s frustrating for women that the drugs that are supposed to relieve our symptoms also cause some unpleasant side effects. One of the most troublesome is the weight gain that often accompanies the medications you take. Here are some things you can do to keep your weight in check.
Exercise: This may be a simple, even obvious solution, but its effectiveness cannot be denied. Exercise can counteract the weight gain side effect of your medication. On top of that, exercise can also reduce the severity of endometriosis symptoms as it blocks estrogen production and releases endorphins into the system.
Change your medication: There are other hormonal treatments you can take that don’t have the side effect of weight gain. Consider GnRH agonists. These medications treat endometriosis by releasing modified hormones that can stop estrogen production, thereby causing a temporary cessation of your menstrual cycle. The course of treatment lasts around 6 months and the benefits can be felt for up to 6 more 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, which usually recovers after stopping treatment.
Using Natural Treatments – Of course, you also have the option of eliminating all medical treatments and going for something more natural. You can treat endometriosis in a number of ways, including taking herbal remedies, using relaxation and stress management techniques, acupuncture, or contrast sitz baths. Talk to your doctor before stopping any prescribed treatment and inform him of your decision.
Modify your diet: If you want to continue using the medication listed above, you can still prevent weight gain by proactively modifying your diet. Even if your medication has this particular side effect, you won’t be able to gain too much weight if you’re eating the right kinds of foods. Avoid eating processed, fried and sweet foods and opt for a diet made up of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats and fish.
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There are many ways to overcome endometriosis without gaining weight, but keep in mind that most of them will require some work on your part to maintain your trim figure.