Endometriosis: A Natural Health Perspective

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis (“endo”) is often misleadingly labeled as simply a “period problem.” In reality, it is a whole-body inflammatory disease rooted in dysfunction of the immune system. The hallmark of endo is the presence of abnormal tissue that somewhat resembles the inner lining of the uterus in locations outside of the uterus, such as the pelvic/abdominal organs.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The disease affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and can cause a wide array of

symptoms, including:

• Painful, heavy, or prolonged periods

• Chronic pelvic pain (non-menstrual pain below the belly button for 6 months or more)

• Pain with intercourse

• Infertility

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (acid reflux, bloating, constipation/diarrhea)

• Low back, hip, or leg pain

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Mood changes

• Pain with urination/defecation

• Joint pain

In conventional medicine, endometriosis is called one of the “great mimickers” because it can be easily confused with other conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (aka IBS) or sciatica. Due in part to endo’s varied presentations from one woman to the next and the medical community’s lack of understanding of this disease, it often goes undiagnosed entirely or for many years.

3 Common Myths about Endometriosis

1. Everyone with endo has painful periods.

Truth: Some women instead have pain at other specific times in their cycle, pain at seemingly random times, or no pain at all.

2. All women with endo have high estrogen.

Truth: Women with endometriosis can have high OR low estrogen. The common pattern in endo is “estrogen dominance,” which means estrogen is “dominating” over the other major female hormone, progesterone.

3. Nothing can be done to support the body outside of surgery and hormone-altering

medications like the birth control pill.

Truth: Thankfully, many women have experienced significant breakthroughs when adding a natural, holistic approach.

A Peek into The Natural Health Approach to Endometriosis

Food

Choose “real,” unprocessed food (certified organic whenever possible) because it provides

antioxidants to quell inflammation in the pelvis, nutrients to support hormone function, and

substances to feed the gut microbiome. Here is a list of real food options to incorporate.

Fruits and Vegetables: Slowly increase intake of non-starchy vegetables (e.g. kale, zucchini, bell peppers). Also prioritize antioxidant-rich fruit like berries.

Protein: Choose high-quality animal proteins such as pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed meat,

and wild-caught seafood.

Fats: Incorporate fats such as butter, ghee, extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, and

nuts/seeds. Avoid industrial seed oils (aka vegetable oils such as canola oil). Talk to your

practitioner about omega-3 supplementation.

Complex Carbohydrates: Choose naturally gluten-free carbs like potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and gluten-free oats. Avoid store-bought bread (including gluten-free bread), as it is highly processed. Limit simple sugars like cane sugar and honey.

Movement

Incorporate walking, and avoid sitting for extended periods of time, as this cuts off oxygen to the pelvis and promotes inflammation.

Sleep

Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Make sure your room is very dark so as not to

suppress your body’s production of melatonin, which actually serves as an antioxidant.

Digestion

Aim for at least one complete bowel movement daily. Stay hydrated, consume fiber in the form of whole foods, and utilize walking to keep the bowels moving.

Reducing Toxin Exposure

Our modern-day environment is filled with toxins, many of which disrupt hormone function.

Swap out food and home/personal care products for non-toxic options. Here is a great place to start:

• Stop eating out of plastic (i.e. no plastic water bottles or tupperware).

• Cook in stainless steel or cast iron pans rather than non-stick pans.

• Swap your plastic shower curtain for an organic fabric variety.

• Put a water filter on your shower head.

• Avoid products with the ingredients “fragrance” or “parfum,” as these terms indicate the presence of phthalates, which are toxic chemicals linked with endometriosis.

Digging Deeper

If you are dealing with these concerns, consider reaching out to a natural or functional

practitioner for additional support. Your practitioner may explore your health utilizing cycle

charting or testing your hormones, gut health, microbiome, or nutrient deficiencies. They will make personalized food, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations. They may incorporate natural modalities such as acupuncture or biomagnetism to support your body’s own repair mechanisms. If you are struggling, please know that there is hope and that you don’t have to walk out your healing journey alone.