What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can affect women of any age. The National Endometriosis Society estimates that it affects 1 in 10 women in the UK. Wherever it grows, the womb lining responds to the
natural hormone cycle and bleeds every time a period occurs. When women bleed normally, blood leaves the body through the vagina. However, in the case of endometriosis, the blood has no outlet and becomes trapped in the tissue, causing pain, inflammation, cysts and scar tissue.
Picture showing endometriosis lesions
Ref: www.laparocsopysugeries.com
PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome) also occurs each month and refers to physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the one to two weeks before a woman's period. Symptoms often vary between women and resolve around the start of bleeding. Common symptoms include acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes.
How do you know if you have Endometriosis or PMS?
There are a number of symptoms but one of the main alarm bells to me when I see people in clinic coming in with PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome) is very painful periods. This does not have to be Endometriosis but I would normally get my client to get it investigated. Especially as the process of getting a diagnosis can take a long time.
Painful menstrual periods
Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis
Pain during or after sex
Painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods
Infertility
Might experience diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods
Getting a diagnosis
As I have already mentioned this is not always that easy as the symptoms of endometriosis are very similar to other common conditions. So, it's important to share as much information with your doctor as possible. The
only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy - an operation in which a camera (a laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel. The surgeon uses the camera to see the pelvic organs and look for any signs of endometriosis. If endometriosis is diagnosed, the endometriosis may be treated or removed for further examination during the laparoscopy.
Endometriosis is often classified as mild, moderate or severe or recorded in surgical notes as stage or grade I - IV.
1. Mild or stage/grade I endometriosis appears as small patches or surface lesions scattered around the
pelvic cavity.
2. Moderate or stage/grade I or II endometriosis appears as larger widespread disease starting to infiltrate
tissue and often found on the ovaries, uterosacral ligaments and Pouch of Douglas. Sometimes there is also significant scarring and adhesions.
3. Severe or stage/grade IV endometriosis affects most of the pelvic organs, often with distortion of the
anatomy and adhesions
Ref: https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/about-endo)
What causes Endometriosis?
The actual cause of endometriosis is unknown. There are several theories about the cause of endometriosis, but none fully explains why endometriosis occurs. According to Endometriosis UK, it is possible that a combination of the following factors could be causing endometriosis to develop in some women:
Retrograde menstruation
When you have a period, some of the endometrium (womb lining) flows backwards, out through the fallopian tubes and into the abdomen. This tissue then implants itself on organs in the pelvis and grows.
Genetic predisposition
Some research suggests that endometriosis can be passed down to new generations through the genes of family members. Some families may be more susceptible to endometriosis but the causes of this are
unclear.
Lymphatic or circulatory spread
Endometriosis tissue particles are thought to somehow travel round the body through the lymphatic system or in the bloodstream. This could explain why it has been found in areas such as the eyes and brain.
Immune dysfunction
It is thought that, for some women, their immune system is not able to fight off endometriosis. Many women with endometriosis appear to have reduced immunity to other conditions.
Environmental causes
This theory suggests that certain toxins in our environment, such as dioxin, can affect the body, the immune system and reproductive system and cause endometriosis. They are produced through a variety of incineration processes, including improper municipal waste incineration and burning of trash, and can be released into the air during natural processes, such as forest fires and volcanoes. Almost every living creature has been exposed to dioxins or dioxin-like compounds (DLCs).
Today people are exposed to dioxins primarily by eating food, in particular animal products, contaminated by these chemicals. Dioxins are absorbed and stored in fat tissue and, therefore, accumulate in the food chain. More than 90 percent of human exposure is through food.
Metaplasia
Metaplasia is the process where one type of cell changes or morphs into a different kind of cell. Metaplasia usually occurs in response to inflammation and enables cells to change to their surrounding circumstances to better adapt to their environment. In the case of endometriosis, metaplasia would explain how the endometriosis cells appear spontaneously inside the body – and how they appear in areas such as the lung and skin.
Medical Treatment
A laparoscopy is one option for treatment, your GP may also recommend drugs to influence the hormone output. As endometriosis is oestrogen-dependent, the aim would be to reduce the amount of oestrogen in the body. Danazol is a common drug prescribed for endometriosis, which is a weak male hormone that prevents ovulation, which in turn stops the womb lining from developing.
There are there other options but I am not going to go into these in reference to this blog as it is more about how to manage it more naturally. If you want more information about the medical route, your GP is the best place to start.
Can anything be done naturally?
There is a lot you can do to support your body, treating endometriosis naturally involves altering the underlying problems that trigger the endometriosis to grow whilst at the same time controlling symptoms. We do know endometriosis is sensitive to oestrogen, so part of the plan would be to keep your diet low in foods that encourage the production of oestrogen. I will explain more about this later.
From research carried out by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD there are five main stages to a treatment programme, and they involve:
Improving your diet – I have highlighted a few key changes but seeing a nutritionist will help give you a nutrition plan that works for you and your lifestyle.
Using supplements and other natural remedies to help control the pain and rebalance hormones if needed.
Controlling levels of excess oestrogen your body may be producing or taking in via your environment. Endometriosis needs oestrogen to grow
Improving the function of your liver. The liver’s work is to break down oestrogen in the body. If it does not work properly, then it is unable to eliminate oestrogen causing a build-up of it, which makes endometriosis worse. Fibre (fruit and vegetables) will help your body excrete excess oestrogen through the digestive system and reduce the recirculation of hormones in the body.
Boosting your immune system so your body becomes capable of recognising endometrial patches outside the womb.
Key Dietary Changes
The primary aim will be to keep your diet low in any foods that encourage the production of oestrogen and increasing foods to help the liver and digestive system to remove excess oestrogen as mentioned before.
Reduce or avoid saturated fats (fried food and animal fats). A diet high in saturated fats will contribute to weight gain and oestrogen is stored in fat. The high saturated fat content of red meat and dairy are also factor’s in producing more oestrogen.
Reduce or avoid dairy produce and red meat. These foods are contributors of inflammation in your body.
Increase the good fats. Your body produces beneficial prostaglandins from essential fatty acids which help to reduce period pains. They also have an anti-inflammatory response which is particularly beneficial to endometriosis sufferers. These include Omega 3 rich foods like oily fish – salmon and sardines. People on a vegan diet are sometimes deficient in Omega 3 so I always advise buying a vegan omega 3 supplement like BioCare Vegan Omega 3 to make sure they are getting good levels to help reduce inflammation.
Eat ginger and turmeric – anti-inflammatory and ginger is very soothing
Supplements
Magnesium – this helps the body relax and is normally low in people suffering with endometriosis.
B Vitamins – help absorption of the good fats and supports liver enzymes in the breakdown of excess oestrogen
Omega 3 – to help reduce inflammation
There are lots of different supplements that can help, and it is important to get professional advice so you get the right ones for you.
Exercise
You may not feel like it and exercise is often difficult for people suffering from chronic pain but endometriosis gets worse when you don’t move. You don’t have to go to the gym or run a marathon; walking or swimming may be sufficient.
Endometriosis affects so many women and every month can be debilitating, with some woman unable to leave their homes or carry on as normal due to the pain. It is important to see if a change of diet can help and, also add in some supplements to reduce the pain and control the excess oestrogen. There are other therapies that can help such as acupuncture and relaxation therapies. Whichever, treatment you decide to do medical or natural a healthy diet and lifestyle can support the body and help it get back into balance.