How to Manage Endometriosis Naturally

Approximately 10% of women in the UK suffer from endometriosis. Causing extreme pain, fatigue, and even infertility, endometriosis has traditionally been underdiagnosed. In fact, it takes on average a staggering eight years for sufferers to receive a diagnosis.

In support of Endometriosis Action Month, let’s shine a light on this often-overlooked condition which can seriously affect your quality of life.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when parts of the womb lining, known as the endometrium, migrate to other areas of the body. There they respond to the monthly fluctuations in hormones just like tissue in the womb does, by growing and thickening.

However, when hormones drop and the time comes for menstruation with the natural shedding of the womb lining, there is nowhere for these fragments to go. The tissue then causes extreme pain if it presses on nerves. Over time, scar tissue may form, causing further pain.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Symptoms of endometriosis vary widely according to where the endometrial tissue has lodged. It often ends up in the abdominal cavity or adhering to the ovaries or bladder.

Common symptoms include pelvic and lower back pain, usually at menstruation but sometimes at other times of the month. The pain may radiate down to the legs. This pain may be excruciating.

Endometriosis is often connected with heavy menstrual flow, bleeding between periods, and irregular periods. Other women report IBS-type symptoms, urinary issues, or pain during intercourse.

Although endometriosis can cause difficulties in conceiving, symptoms usually abate during pregnancy. Because symptoms are related to the fluctuations in female hormones, they usually reduce at menopause unless you’re on HRT.

What Causes Endometriosis?

It’s not currently clear exactly what causes endometriosis. Traditionally it’s believed to be connected with a situation known as retrograde menstruation. This occurs when tiny amounts of endometrial tissue travel through the fallopian tubes and lodge in the pelvic cavity, instead of flowing out through the cervix and vagina during menstruation.

However, because retrograde menstruation occurs in many women without causing endometriosis symptoms, other factors must be involved.

Oestrogen Dominance

One major contributory factor is an elevated level of the female hormone oestrogen. This hormone’s job is to tell the womb lining it’s time to thicken in preparation for pregnancy.

This situation is called oestrogen dominance, and it’s incredibly common. Many circumstances contribute towards oestrogen dominance, particularly toxins commonly found in the environment. A host of synthetic chemicals, including household cleaners, personal care products and certain plastics, contain chemicals called oestrogen mimickers. These push up oestrogen levels as they’re able to attach to your body’s oestrogen receptors.

Immune Dysfunction and Endometriosis

The body’s immune system should ideally remove any rogue endometrial tissue. However, in the case of endometriosis, it instead reacts as if the tissue fragments are invaders, constantly releasing inflammatory substances.

Why is Endometriosis Underdiagnosed?

Because the symptoms of the condition can mimic other gynaecological issues, endometriosis is often missed. A definitive diagnosis can only be made with a laparoscopy.

Natural, Integrative Support for Endometriosis

Improve Digestive Health

Endometriosis is closely linked with gut health. If your gut isn’t functioning, well, it may be inefficient at clearing away used oestrogen, meaning levels rise.

Secondly, bacteria living in your gut help to convert oestrogen into a form that can be used by your body. So, if these bacteria are out of balance, you might end up with an excess of readily available oestrogen. Some research has found women suffering from endometriosis have different species of gut bacteria than women without the condition (1).

Your gut is where your immune system resides, so if the bacteria there are out of balance, your immune system will be out of kilter. It reacts by producing excessive amounts of inflammatory substances. One in particular, called lipopolysaccharide, has been found by scientists to be linked to endometriosis (2).

Therefore, poor gut health can contribute to the raised oestrogen levels and inflammation found in endometriosis.

Managing inflammation using Micro-Immunotherapy may therefore be useful.

Diet Matters

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can contribute towards managing chronically elevated inflammation levels. This means eating plenty of colourful fresh plant foods while avoiding sugar and processed foods.

Specific nutrients can be useful in cases of endometriosis. B Vitamins are involved in the process of oestrogen detoxification by the liver. On the other hand, zinc is vital for female hormone balance, and women with endometriosis are often low in zinc (3).

Vitamins E and C have been found in research to reduce the pain and inflammation connected with the condition (4). If you’re deficient in magnesium, it may be helpful to supplement this nutrient, because it plays a role in muscle relaxation.

Omega 3 fats are anti-inflammatory in nature. They’re found in oily fish, like salmon and mackerel, plus nuts and seeds like walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds.

Stress Management

Because stress depletes progesterone, it can worsen oestrogen dominance. Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can all help favourably alter your body’s reaction to stress.

Mindfulness techniques and mind/body medicine have been found in research to positively influence quality of life, even in the face of ongoing pelvic pain (5).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

For women who are dealing with severe pain, as well as the emotional turmoil arising from a long struggle to be taken seriously, ACT can be incredibly helpful.

Integrative Medicine Support for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a difficult disease to manage on your own. However, natural therapies can support your body to naturally balance oestrogen levels and control inflammation. This is where our community of practitioners can offer you valuable support and guidance.

Functional testing is extremely useful to take away the guesswork and establish the root causes of your symptoms Firstly, levels of essential nutrients will be tested to determine if any deficiencies are contributing to your condition. Your practitioner may also recommend testing your hormone levels as well as your gut bacteria.

Your situation and the factors contributing to your condition are unique, and therefore your pathway to health will be personal to you. With nutritional, stress management and lifestyle support from our team of practitioners, you’ll be treated as the whole person you are. The physical and emotional root causes of your unpredictable condition will be addressed by considering all aspects of your health and wellbeing.

Don’t suffer from the pain of endometriosis any longer. Book a Discovery Call today to start your journey.