Endometriosis treatment in girls and teens
There is no cure for endometriosis, but treatment can help young women manage their symptoms and significantly reduce endometriosis pain. Endometriosis spreads over time and should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible to minimize long-term pain.
At Children's Colorado, we offer both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treatment. Our care team will recommend the best treatment options for each patient.
Nonsurgical endometriosis treatment for young women
While we can't definitively diagnose endometriosis without surgery, suspected cases may be managed with nonsurgical treatment methods, particularly if symptoms are not severe. Nonsurgical treatments are usually the first step for girls, teens and young women who are not currently trying to become pregnant. The most common nonsurgical treatments are hormonal medications that cause endometrial lesions (endometrial tissue outside of the endometrium) to shrink and prevent the further spread of the condition. Hormonal medications include:
- Oral progesterone pills
- Birth control pill, patch, ring or injection
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that contain progesterone
- An implant that goes under the skin
- An injection that blocks the production of estrogen
Many girls, teens and young women will try several of these medications or use them together to control their endometriosis symptoms. Although many of these treatments are labeled as "birth control," they are effective medical treatments for endometriosis and do not increase the likelihood of sexual activity. Because nonsurgical treatments reduce the spread of endometriosis, they play an important role in protecting the future fertility of young women with this condition.
Surgical endometriosis treatment for young women
For some girls and women, endometriosis surgery is the best option. When surgery for endometriosis is necessary, our experienced team will guide your family through the process.
Outpatient laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis can effectively diagnose and treat the condition. Both diagnosis and treatment can take place during the same operation. During surgery, a high-energy heat source, such as a laser, cuts or burns away endometrial lesions (endometrial tissue outside of the endometrium). Treatment is more difficult with advanced disease that involves large areas of the rectum or larger lesions.
More recently, laser ablation with a CO2 laser has allowed for more extensive treatment of endometriosis. This technique treats more visible lesions while decreasing risk of injury to surrounding organs. Our experienced gynecologists on the Children's Colorado team, have undergone specialized training and certification in endometriosis laser treatment.
Following surgery, our team will guide your daughter's use of hormonal medications to prevent the regrowth of endometriosis.
Why choose Children's Colorado for endometriosis treatment?
Our board-certified pediatric and adolescent gynecologists have specialized training and a wealth of experience in the reproductive health issues of girls and women of all ages.
We understand that endometriosis can be stressful and are sensitive to your needs. That's why we work to put families at ease by carefully explaining endometriosis, discussing the various treatment options and supporting your family with follow-up visits and consultation with our colleagues in other specialties, such as psychology, chronic pain, urology and gastroenterology, if needed.
In addition to a welcoming setting, we offer expertise in the full range of diagnostic and treatment options for endometriosis from routine exams and medication to surgery, if needed.