If you have endometriosis, low-dose naltrexone (LDN) might be your comforting friend. Endometriosis affects about 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. This is somewhere between ages 15 to 49. However, endometriosis can start on a girl’s first menstrual period (menarch).
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disorder wherein the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, known as endometrium, grows in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or lining of the pelvis. During hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle, the misplaced, hardened endometrial tissues may become inflamed, causing pain. Symptoms of endometriosis include severe cramps, chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual flow, long periods, painful periods, pain during or after intercourse, bowel or urinary discomfort, and in some cases, infertility.
Endometriosis has no known cause but genetics likely play a role in the development of this disorder in women.
How is endometriosis treated?
There is no available cure for endometriosis to date; however, its symptoms can be managed. Endometriosis may affect your activities of daily living because pain and discomfort are often present. Your gynecologist (specialist for women’s reproductive health) may prescribe pain relievers, and hormone supplements or hormone contraceptives to decrease the progression of endometriosis. If medications don’t seem to work, or if you want to get pregnant, your obstetrician (specialist for pregnancy and childbirth) may suggest minimally invasive surgery to remove or burn the growths. If all else fails, a total hysterectomy is the last resort. It involves the removal of the ovaries, cervix, and uterus, which means no more pregnancies after this procedure. Fortunately, LDN was discovered.
What is Low-dose Naltrexone?
Naltrexone was first approved by the FDA in 1984 to treat opioid addiction. Later on, it was discovered that low-dose naltrexone (LDN)---low dose being one-tenth of naltrexone’s usual dose---has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. LDN appears to be safe with few side effects and no abuse potential. It is also cost-effective because only a small amount is needed. Research on LDN also demonstrated improvements in other medical conditions.
How can low-dose naltrexone (LDN) help patients with endometriosis?
The immune-modulating effect of LDN appears to address the hormonal problems, which is the primary reason why endometrial tissue overgrowth is present. Inflammation and pain in the affected organs caused by the hardened tissue growths are also relieved as a result of LDN’s immune regulation and anti-inflammatory properties. LDN users have reported better moods and more comfortable monthly periods. According to research, LDN use has contributed to lower rates of miscarriage, and women who are trying to get pregnant are much healthier.
Where can I find more information?
While the knowledgeable pharmacists at The Compounding Center do our best to share accurate scientific information, we understand that first-hand accounts from actual patients are also valuable. On the LDN Research Trust website, you will find accounts of patients’ experiences with LDN for addressing endometriosis. We encourage you to talk to your doctor about whether LDN might be appropriate for you to try.
How can I try LDN?
If you live in NY, PA, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, GA and FL, our trained pharmacy staff will compound your specific LDN dose with a prescription from your doctor.
LDN is only available from a compounding pharmacy. The Compounding Center in Leesburg prepares LDN as immediate-release pills with no fillers or binders to interfere with the drug’s absorption. Plus, we take your allergies and dietary concerns into consideration. We make sure our compounded LDN capsules and tablets are free of common allergens like gluten, lactose, and dyes.
We’ll even ship it to you if you can’t get to the store!
Call or text The Compounding Center to get a quote
703-779-3301
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