Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when the type of tissue that normally lines the uterus called the endometrium is found in
other locations of the body where its not supposed to be. The most common place is the abdominal cavity where
it can land on the peritoneum, the thin layer that covers the inside of the abdomen, the ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Like the lining of the uterus, the misplaced endometrial tissue is triggered by the same hormonal changes that trigger
your period to come, causing this tissue to shed, or bleed, as well. When this shedding occurs, blood, which is
trapped in the abdomen, is irritating to the nerves in the abdomen, causing much of the pain associated with
endometriosis.
Over time, this shedding leads to chronic inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. Additionally, the
endometrial cells cause abnormal immune responses in that tissue, leading to further chronic inflammation
and scarring.
Nobody knows exactly why this happens, and there are many theories. The important thing is that we know that it is
an inflammatory condition with an abnormal immune response, and it is triggered by cyclic hormonal changes,
environmental hormonal exposures, and other factors that cause inflammation.
2 to 32% of women of reproductive age undergoing laparoscopy to determine the cause of pelvic pain
9 to 50% of women undergoing laparoscopy for infertility versus 6.7 percent of women undergoing
laparoscopy with no past infertility
50% of teenagers undergoing laparoscopy for evaluation of chronic pelvic pain or dysmenorrhea
The most common symptoms include severe pelvic and abdominal pain and cramping at the time of the menstrual
cycle, often with chronic and sometimes severe pain between periods, constipation due to adhesions, bloating from
inflammation, pain with sex, urinary problems, low back ache, and chronic fatigue. Some women also report
abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of infertility, leading to as many as 50% of cases. Some
women may have endometriosis without symptoms, only to discover that they have the problem when they
experience difficulty becoming pregnant.
Endometriosis typically progresses and worsens over time as the chronic inflammation leads to accumulation of scar
tissue causing adhesions that cause the organs like the intestines and bladder to become fixed in place leading to
frequent or even pain with bowel movements and urination, and painful sex.
The percentage of women with endometriosis reporting various symptoms is:
The rates of endometriosis are going up, most likely as a result of chronic exposure to toxin environmental
chemicals, so you can use the information in this article now to protect yourself and your daughters later.
We know that endometriosis is an immune and inflammatory problem that is triggered by cyclic hormonal
changes and worsened by chronic environmental toxin exposure. Exposure to a class of chemicals called
endocrine disruptors (which mimic hormones), as well as other environmental toxins that increase our inflammation
and disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system has been implicated in endometriosis. The natural
approach supports an optimal immune response, reduces inflammation and pain, promotes natural detoxification of
environmental toxins, and helps to balance hormones.
I recommend a comprehensive approach that incorporates an anti-inflammatory diet as well as a selection of
the supplements from each of the categories below.
It takes about 6-12 months to see a reduction in the overall number of endometrial implants in your abdomen (these
are seen on laparoscopic evaluation). However, it is not necessary to follow up with laparoscopy if you have been
getting these done; if your symptoms improve, that can be your guide that youre getting better, so it is ideal to keep
a record of how you are feeling on a 1-10 scale during the times your pain is typically at its worst.
You should start to get some pain relief within a few hours of taking the pain supplements.
While they may seem like no big deal because everyone uses them, plastics are major sources of xenoestrogens
that can wreak hormonal havoc and cause or worsen endometriosis. Do your best to avoid foods that come in
soft plastic wrap, are stored or microwaved in plastic, are contaminated with pesticides and herbicides (i.e., many
fruits and vegetables and even more so if imported from another country where highly toxic chemicals that have
been banned in the US are still used) and plastic water bottles.
Caffeine may exacerbate endometriosis in some women, so if youre drinking coffee each day, try a couple of
months without it. On the other hand, green tea is antioxidant and may be especially beneficial if you have
endometriosis.
Keeping your blood sugar steady is also important for keeping inflammation in check, and keeps you from
binging on inflammatory sugar and baked goods.
Being overweight increases the likelihood of being estrogen dominant; appropriate weight loss can also be very
helpful in reducing general inflammation. The anti-inflammatory diet is a great way to lose weight without having
to work too hard to try!
1. Reduce Inflammation
Natural anti-inflammatories such as curcumin (from turmeric), bromelain (from pineapple), quercetin (from apples,
onions, and other plant sources) ginger root, boswellia, and fish oil are all fabulous anti-inflammatories that I use to
treat my patients who have endometriosis. I recommend a combination of these, and use products including
Inflammatone from Designs for Health, InflammaResponse from Herb Pharm and Turmeric Supreme: Joint by Gaia
Herbs, along with 1-2 tsp. daily of Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega for a high dose of fish oil (talk with your doctor
before taking if you are on blood thinners, though the risks are very small according to medical literature).
Not only will inflammation be reduced, but these herbs also relieve pain over time.
as hormonal treatment, it actually persisted without relapse, unlike the medication group. Further, 5 women in the
pycnogenol group became pregnant.
5. Treat Pain
Ginger root powder (or the equivalent in extract form) at a dose of 500 mg 2-4 times/day has been shown to reduce
pain equal to the effects of ibuprofen. Other herbs that are excellent for pain relief include Jamaican dogwood,
curcumin, cramp bark, and devils claw. I recommend Turmeric Supreme Pain by Gaia Herbs to my patients,
along with ginger capsules or extract at the previously mentioned dose.
One study demonstrated that 10 mg of melatonin per day significantly reduces chronic pelvic pain due to
endometriosis, pelvic pain during menses and during sex, pain during urination and associated with bowel
movements, to the tune of an overall 80% reduction in the need for pain medication in women taking it. At this dose,
melatonin supports the bodys natural detoxification processes. In animal studies, melatonin led to regression and
shrinkage of endometriosis tissue. I recommend starting at 1-3 mg/day, and build up, and preferably take it in the
evening, as it can make you feel tired. It is the natural substance that increases at night in our brains to tell us to get
some sleep!
These can be taken with or in place of the herbs mentioned in the above section on inflammation there will be
some crossover, but thats ok. Acupuncture in one study has been shown to possibly be helpful for endometriosis
pain, and I also recommend using alternating hot and cold sitz baths if you can make this happen at home. It
stimulates pelvic circulation, getting good blood and lymph flow moving to help wash out inflammation and toxins.
In addition to the recommendations above, I suggest working with an Arvigo Massage Therapist or a physical
therapist who is skilled in pelvic pain from endometriosis. These therapies are important for helping to break up
adhesions. While some of the anti-inflammatory supplements, particularly the enzymes, may help with this to some
degree, it really takes the addition of physical manipulation to break down scar tissue.
You can try these natural approaches at home on your own or work with an integrative, functional medicine
doctor, a licensed naturopath, or a midwife who practices comprehensive womens health, to create a more
customized plan for your needs. The evidence is not clear for the long-term benefits of conventional therapies,
surgeries are invasive and only provide symptomatic relief, and natural therapies can be safe and effective in the
short and long term.
I hope this article allows you to create an endometriosis healing plan that works for you, relieves pain and
adhesions, and gives you back your life and hope!