Women who suffer from endometriosis often find out that their condition is more problematic than they thought. Besides having to suffer from painful and heavy monthly periods, discomfort with sex and bowel movements, another possible negative side effect with endometriosis is weight gain. More and more women today are looking for ways to overcome endometriosis and it’s troublesome 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 medication used for treating endometriosis.

- Danazol — The pituitary gland is one of the parts of the body that releases hormones. Danazol works by causing blockage to the production and release of FSH and LH hormones. This results to a temporary cease of your menstrual cycle that will last from a quarter to three-quarters of a year. Side effects include weight gain, oily skin and tiredness

- Birth Control Pills — Contraceptives can also work as a hormonal treatment to overcome endometriosis. The type and frequency of birth control pills that one should take will generally depend on your doctor’s advice. Contraceptives work by regulating the progesterone and estrogen levels in your body. Again, this leads to a temporary stop to your monthly flow. If you choose to make this treatment permanent, your doctor might advise a gradual increase of frequency or dosage. Again weight gain is a side effect of this treatment, along with nausea and blood clots.

- Progestins — This medication results to a temporary stop to your ovulation and hinders growth of endometrial cells. This too comes with a number of side effects of which weight gain is one of them.

Prevent Weight Gain Caused by Medication

It’s frustrating to women that the medicines that are supposed to help our symptoms also cause some unpleasant side effects. One of the most troublesome is the weight gain that often comes with the medication you’re taking. Here are some things you can do to keep your weight under control.

Exercise— This may be a simple solution, and even an obvious one at that, but its effectiveness cannot be denied. Exercising can counter the weight gain side effect of your medication. Besides that, exercise can also reduce the severity of symptoms of endometriosis as it blocks the production of estrogen and releases endorphins into the system.

Change Medication — There are other hormonal treatments that you can take that don’t have the weight gain side effect. Consider GnRH-agonists. These drugs treat endometriosis by releasing modified hormones that can stop production of estrogen and consequently cause a temporary cease to your menstrual cycle. The course of treatment lasts for around 6 months and the benefits can be felt for up to a further 6 months. Although weight gain is not a side effect there are others that you should be aware of – the possibility of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and a loss of bone density during treatment (this is usually regained after stopping treatment).

Use of Natural Treatments — Of course, you also have the option of doing away with medical treatments all together and going for something more natural. You can treat endometriosis in a variety of ways such as taking herbal remedies, using stress-management and relaxation techniques, acupuncture, or contrast sitz baths. Talk to your doctor before stopping any prescribed treatment and inform them of your decision.

Modify Your Diet — If you wish to continue using the above-mentioned medication, you can still prevent yourself from gaining weight by proactively modifying your diet. Even if your medication does have this particular side effect, it won’t be able to increase your weight too much if you’re eating the right kinds of foods. Avoid eating processed, fried and sweet foods and chose a diet made up of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats and fish.

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