Are you suffering from endometriosis? Wondering if it could be treated in simple ways? Then you have come to the right place.
This post tells you everything you must know about endometriosis, and the ways you can treat the condition.
Would you like to know more? Keep reading.
Endometriosis can be defined as a condition where the endometrium (uterus lining) grows till the exterior of the uterus (1). Further, the hormones that act as a trigger for menstrual cycle influence the sloughing of endometrial implants in and around the abdomen.
Generally, endometriosis appears on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the exterior of the uterus, and the intestines or the peritoneum. This displaced tissue reacts to the hormonal changes that influence the menstrual cycle. Every month this tissue engorges itself through the cycle’s first half while a small amount is released during the second half. This often leads to repeated irritation to the tissues around.
With the passage of time, endometriosis can cause adhesions or scarring in the reproductive organs, intestines, and pelvis. These adhesions look like spider webs. Studies have proved that this scarring is responsible for menstrual pain and fertility issues.
Endometriosis cannot be diagnosed easily. However, some symptoms that mark the occurrence of endometriosis are listed below.
However, these symptoms do not imply a conclusive diagnosis of the condition. Sometimes, women with extensive menstrual pain might have mild endometriosis while others with mild pelvic pain might have severe endometriosis. Moreover, many times, endometriosis is also mistaken for other diseases, like PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) due to pelvic pain (2).
The exact factors responsible for endometriosis are not known. However, some of the possible reasons provided on the basis of research and studies are listed below for your reference.
Embryonic cells produce the lining on pelvic and abdominal cavities. If this abdominal lining turns into endometrial tissue at one or more small points, there are chances that endometriosis can develop.
This is the most common cause for endometriosis (3). Retrograde menstruation refers to a medical condition where menstrual blood carrying endometrial cells flows back into the pelvis instead of flowing out through the uterus. These exiled endometrial cells get stuck to the surface of pelvic organs and pelvic wall. Here, they further grow and get thicker, thus bleeding over every course of the menstrual cycle.
Another possible cause for endometriosis is the transportation of endometrial cells to other body organs through the tissue fluid system (also called lymphatic system) or blood vessels.
Endometrial cells might get attached to a surgical incision post surgery, like a C-section or hysterectomy.
Any disorders in the immune system can stop the body from recognising and destroying the endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus.
Endometriosis usually occurs for two reasons – either overproduction of oestrogens or underproduction of progesterone. More often, it is a deferred breakdown of active estrogens by the liver.
Treatment of endometriosis requires an ample supply of nutrients required for healing of the liver. These nutrients also reduce inflammation besides flushing off the toxins from the body. This is possible through effective dietary changes and taking supplements to get the desired nutrients.
Endometriosis patients should go for organic meat instead of conventional meat. It is recommended to avoid factory farmed and processed meats. These meats carry growth hormones that can worsen the problem.
Iron is an important nutrient that heals the liver. Therefore, make sure you have it as a component in your diet. Anaemia is one of the reasons for endometriosis and treating anaemia by increasing your iron intake can not only treat endometriosis, but can also ease the symptoms.
Endometriosis patients are advised to avoid refined products, like white flour, white sugar, and white rice. The process of chlorination adopted to whiten these products leaves dioxin residues in the food. Moreover, the refined variants are highly inflammatory. Therefore, it is best to opt for whole wheat flour and brown rice.
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