Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects 10% to 15% of menstruating women between the ages of 24 and 40 years old. The condition develops because the lining of the uterus called the endometrium, which is normally confined to the uterus, is situated outside of the uterus, where it may grow and even menstruate producing lesions resulting with symptoms of chronic or acute pelvic pain. Endometrioisis often takes years to develop and may present with little to no symptoms. It is commonly under-diagnosed and mistaken for just a painful period. In some cases symptoms begin with the onset of menstruation, but in most, symptoms begin later and progressively worsen with time. Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of female infertility. There are a number of developing theories to the actual cause. Naturopaths recognise that a hormonal imbalance particularly increased or unbalanced oestrogen levels often termed ‘oestrogen dominance’ are a major driving factor to this disease. A genetic predisposition, immune system dysfunction and blood flowing in the opposite direction to what is normal called “retrograde” blood flow are also considered to be contributing factors.

Why is Endometriosis a problem?

• Not only do women with endometriosis suffer from severe pain with menstruation causing numerous days off work but Endometriosis can result in infertility and miscarriage .
• One third of women with Endometriosis are symptom free. Symptoms typically begin several years after onset of your period, and progress over time.

What are the Common Symptoms?

The most common symptoms are:

• Pelvic/abdominal cramping and pain with menstruation
• Acute pain occurs before menstruation and can last for a day or two during menstruation or throughout the month
• Pain during sex
• Infertility (difficulty falling pregnant)
• Pain with bladder/bowel function, intestinal pain
• Tenderness when affected areas are palpated
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, and fainting can occur concurrently with the intense pelvic/abdominal cramping and even labour-like pains
• Chronic bearing-down pain and pressure on the low back which may radiate down the legs with
• Fatigue especially with menstruation

What are the Risk Factors for Endometriosis?

The key risk factors are:

• Family history of endometriosis
• Women with shorter menstrual cycles and longer duration of blood flow
• A high-fat diet
• Use of intra-uterine devices
• Hormonal imbalance
• Excessive use of tampons

How can we Help?

• Our Naturopath Angela Smith will take a thorough case history to determine the cause and severity of your condition. She may recommend saliva hormone testing and further medical investigations to confirm endometriosis.
• From the information gathered Angela will advise particular dietary and life style changes and prescribe herbal and nutritional medicines tailored specifically to treat your symptoms and to resolve the underlying issue.
• Angela may take several approaches to treat endometriosis. Balancing the hormones, optimising the liver function to conjugate and metabolise hormones and to release toxins from the body by encouraging healthy bowel motions and healthy gut flora. Normalising the immune response to reduce the formation of new adhesions and to assist dissolving current adhesions is also addressed

Your Endometriosis specialist Angela Smith