Hormonal suppression - such as combined hormonal contraception, IUDs, progestins like Dienogest/Visanne, or GNRH analogs like Lupron, Orilissa, Zoladex , Synarel, Prostap, etc - MAY help SOME people with their endometriosis SYMPTOMS. However, no hormonal medications actually treat the disease, in spite of this prevalent misinformation among the medical community. We break down flawed methodology in 2 studies on Lupron and Zoladex, and talk about how hormones can’t clean up or remove endo. Endometriosis can still progress and recur while a person is taking hormones, and hormones can’t diagnose endo either.



Hormonal suppression helps many of us in this community with our symptoms and may allow some of us to have a better quality of life. But hormones also have side effects, so it’s important to understand the limitations of hormonal suppression so that we can make an informed decision on what is best our individual situation.



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SOURCES: Clickable links at insixteenyears.com/episode91



--Gheorghisan-Galateanu AA, Gheorghiu ML. Hormonal Therapy in Women of Reproductive Age with Endometriosis: An Update. Acta Endocrinol (Buchar). 2019;15(2):276-281. doi:10.4183/aeb.2019.276



--Donnez J, Dolmans MM. Endometriosis and Medical Therapy: From Progestogens to Progesterone Resistance to GnRH Antagonists: A Review. J Clin Med. 2021;10(5):1085. Published 2021 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/jcm10051085



--Evers JL. The second-look laparoscopy for evaluation of the result of medical treatment of endometriosis should not be performed during ovarian suppression. Fertil Steril. 1987 Mar;47(3):502-4. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)59062-1. PMID: 2951279.



--Luprolide - the D is silent. 300 page report to the FDA on Lupron by Dr. David Redwine.



--Zoladex: Does it really treat endometriosis? by Endogirlsblog



--Shaw RW. An open randomized comparative study of the effect of goserelin depot and danazol in the treatment of endometriosis. Zoladex Endometriosis Study Team. Fertil Steril. 1992 Aug;58(2):265-72. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)55205-4. PMID: 1386029.



--Medication to Prevent Recurrence? from Nancy's Nook.



--THE BUSINESS OF BIRTH CONTROL - Documentary homepage.