Key fact
- Endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally.
Symptoms
The main symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. It's often linked with menstrual periods. Although many people have cramping during their periods, those with endometriosis often describe menstrual pain that's far worse than usual. The pain also may become worse over time.
Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Painful periods.
- Pain with sex.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Infertility.
Some people with endometriosis have no symptoms. Often, they find out they have the condition when they can't get pregnant or after they get surgery for another reason.
More About endometriosis
The second leading cause of hysterectornies, endometriosis involves the growth of estrogen-sensitive uterine lining tissue outside of the uterus. This tissue sheds and bleeds with the monthly cycle and can lead to scarring and infertility. It can cause painful periods, pelvic pain, bowel disturbances and cramps.
Because of its relationship to the monthly cycle, problems with endometriosis naturally end with menopause.
As with uterine fibroids, a good place to start with natural therapy for endometriosis is to reduce overload of xenoestrogens by avoiding them and enhancing liver detoxification.
Xenoestrogens are environmental pollutants that have estrogen-like activity. These compounds are a primary cause of reproductive health problems in both women and men because they attach to and over-stimulate estrogen receptor sites. This causes changes in estrogen-sensitive tissues like the breasts, uterus and prostate.
Xenoestrogens stimulate abnormal changes in these tissues, causing problems like cysts in the breasts, uterine fibroids, prostate enlargement and cancer.
Xenoestrogens are chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. They can disrupt the hormonal balance and cause health problems.
Some common sources:
- Water (tap water and bathing)
- Pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, including glyphosate
- Cleaning products (home and industrial)
- Plastics (food, beverages, storage containers, non-food packaging and industrial plastics)
- Canned foods
A Natural Approach
Consider black cohosh or Wild Yam & Chaste Tree for hormone regulation.Because it targets abnormal cell growth, Paw Paw Cell reg has been helpful for some women in getting rid of the uterine tissue growing outside of the uterus. It can be taken with IF-C to reduce inflammation and pain.
If there is cramping, antispasmodic remedies such as Cramp Relief may be helpful. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.
If either fibroids or endometriosis have caused anemia due to blood loss, consider taking I-X or Blood Stimulator.