Overview
What is women’s health?
Accredo dispenses specialty medications for a variety of specialty women’s health needs such as: endometriosis and long-acting contraceptives. We also have a dedicated infertility care team (follow link for more information).
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This can cause pain, difficulty becoming pregnant, bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, and digestive problems. Endometriosis can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outer surface of the uterus, among other places.1
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown. Risk factors may include abdominal surgery, family history, immune disorders, age or menstrual irregularities.
Endometriosis can be treated with hormone medications such as birth control or medications called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Oral and injectable options are available. Sometimes, surgery can be a treatment option.1
Contraception
Contraception, or birth control, helps reduce the occurrence of unintended pregnancies. Planning or preventing pregnancy may also be an important part of treating certain medical conditions or prevent harm while taking certain medications. Correct and consistent use of birth control increases the effectiveness of the birth control. Many types of contraception exist such as barrier methods, hormonal pills, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), patches, and rings. Your health care provider can help you decide which method or combination of methods is right for you. Long-acting agents, such as IUD’s and implants, have higher effectiveness due to easier compliance.2 IUDs and implants provided by Accredo are shipped to the doctor’s office and then administered by a health care provider.
Birth control alone will not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI), so it is important to discuss condom use, STI testing, and STI vaccinations with your healthcare provider.
More about women’s health
Endometriosis
- It is estimated that 11% of women in the United States have endometriosis.3
- Up to 30-50% of women with endometriosis may experience infertility.4
Contraception
- About 37% of births in the United States were unintended at the time of conception.5
- 62% of women ages 15-44 years old use some form of contraception.6
Questions regarding your women’s health therapy?
You can reach the Accredo women’s health care team, anytime, day or night, seven days a week.
24-hour Customer Service Center
- 1"Women's Health Frequently Asked Questions." American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Updated February 2021. Accessed May 31, 2023 www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis
- 2"Birth Control Methods." Office of Women's Health, Updated December 29, 2022. www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods. Accessed May 31, 2023.
- 3"Endometriosis." Womenshealth.gov, Updated February 22, 2021. www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis. Accessed May 31, 2023.
- 4Macer, M.L., Taylor, H.S. (2012). Endometriosis and Infertility: A review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America; 39(4): 535â549, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538128/. Accessed 24 February 2020.
- 5"Health Equity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reviewed May 1, 2023. www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.html. Accessed May 31, 2023.
- 6"Reproductive Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Feb. 2017, www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm. Accessed 26 February 2018.
- 7"Preterm Birth" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 April 2020 www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?1
- Pain, including very painful menstrual cramps, lower back pain, intestinal pain
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Stomach (digestive) problems, including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or nausea
- Pain during or after sex
- Heavy menstrual periods
How is it diagnosed?
- Pelvic exam: Your health care provider will feel if there are scars or cysts behind the uterus that are indicative of endometriosis.
- Imaging test: An ultrasound or MRI may be ordered to take a picture of the inside of your body
- Laparoscopy: This is a type of surgery to look inside your pelvic area to see if there is endometriosis tissue. This is the only way to be totally sure you have endometriosis. A small sample of the tissue (biopsy) may be studied under a microscope to confirm as well.
- 1"Women's Health Frequently Asked Questions." American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Updated February 2021. www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis Accessed May 31, 2023.
Medications
Women's Health
The following specialty medications are available at Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for Women’s Health.
Financing Your Care
Financial assistance may be available to help with your medication costs, including manufacturer and community programs. Accredo specialists are available to help find a program that may work for you.
Community Financial Resources
Financial Guidance
Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.
Find Support
Women’s Health Organizations
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for Women’s Health. See below for a few of those organizations.
Support organizations
- Endometriosis Foundation of America
- The Endometriosis Association
- Endometriosis Research Center
- American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics: Patient FAQs
Government Organizations
Meet the Team
Accredo’s Women’s Health care team is dedicated to serving you and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our expert clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions.
Why We Do It
Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.