Endometriosis

What Is It?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue from the uterus lining (endometrium) migrates out of the uterus and embeds itself in other abdominal tissues, often the ovaries, uterine ligaments or intestines. Endometriosis can also be found in the bowel, bladder and fallopian tubes.

Each month, hormones cause the lining of the womb to thicken with blood in readiness for pregnancy. When pregnancy does not occur the uterine tissues and blood slough off and the woman has her monthly period. The same thing happens to the stray endometrial tissue in other parts of the abdomen, however these cells have nowhere to release the blood they have amassed. This process leads to cysts, scarring and adhesions (fibrous tissue that binds parts of the body that are not normally attached to each other).

Symptoms
Although not all women experience symptoms, the condition can cause severe pain. Problems experienced can include: intense menstrual cramps, abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding (often with clots), nausea and vomiting just before a period, sharp pain during sexual intercourse, diarrhoea, constipation or pain during bowel movements, blood in the stool or urine during periods. This disease is also a leading cause of female infertility.

Physical Cause (Conventional Theory)
Despite medical research, no one knows how endometriosis develops but there are several theories. According to the 'reflux menstruation' theory, menstrual blood travels backwards through the fallopian tubes, funnelling endometrial cells into other abdominal areas where they seed and grow. Another hypothesis suggests that the condition is congenital, meaning some women are born with endometrial cells outside the womb. A third idea is that the cause is a faulty immune system which neglects destuction of the misplaced cells.

Emotional Cause (Mind Body Theory)
Insecurity, disappointment and frustration. Replacing self-love with sugar. Blaming others.

Conventional Treatments
There are many different types of drugs on the market to treat endometriosis, and the main aim of all of them is to stop you having periods for 6 - 9 months. The main hormone thought to stimulate this disease is oestrogen, thus the aim of most drug treatments is to reduce oestrogen levels to trick the body into thinking it is pregnant or menopausal. That's because when a women is pregnant or menopausal she has lower amounts of oestrogen in her body and endometrial deposits seem to regress.

Of course a more natural way to approach this if you want to have (more) children is to actually become pregnant. Many doctors will ask if the patient wants to start or enlarge her family (a) because of the beneficial effects on the symptoms and (b) because prolonged problems can lead to female infertility.

Drug Treatments
Painkillers, the contraceptive pill, other hormonal therapies.

Surgery
The general medical opinion is that endometriosis can only be definitively diagnosed via a laparoscopy (a surgical procedure where a a small incision is made in the abdominal wall and a tiny camera inserted to examine inside the abdomen. If evidence of endometrial sites is found, laser or microscopic surgery can often be performed to remove these patches, cysts and adhesions.

A more radical surgical intervention which may be offered to women is a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the womb). This is usually an option considered for older women who have completed their family, or perhaps younger women who are experiencing very severe symptoms.

Nutritional Health Supplements
All the recommended supplements can be used together and with medications prescribed by your doctor. Start by taking a combination of chasteberry and black cohosh. These herbs aid correction of hormonal imbalances that intensify the pain of endometriosis and also relax the uterus, as does wild yam. You can also take a lipotropic combination which stimulates the liver to eliminate excess oestrogen from the body.

For best results supplements should be taken throughout the menstrual cycle. High doses of magnesium and calcium can be taken if menstrual cramps are painful. If several months of taking these does not help, try vitamin C to promote healing of damaged tissues and scarring, vitamin E to further balance hormone production and fish oils, evening primrose or flaxseed oil to help control inflammation.

Beneficial Foods
Soya products which contain phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) that may offset the effect of eostrogen on symptoms

Other Advice
Take regular exercise - research has shown that exercise can suppress symptoms and even prevent endometriosis.

Useful links
http://www.endometriosis.org

Recommended Books

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