ENDOMETROSIS
Endometrium is inner lining of uterus. Endometrium grows inside the uterus during non-period days & it sheds during periods. This endometrial cells can also grow elsewhere in the abdominal cavity, rectum, appendix, bladder etc. Growth cycle of endometrium is due to hormones secreted by developing egg in the ovary.
Endometriosis is presence of active endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. The inner lining of the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. These endometrial tissues grow & bleed every month like normal endometrium but as they are at an abnormal place, they have no outlet to shed in the form of blood during period days. As a result, they start getting latched on to the pelvic cavity & ovaries and causes heavy bleeding, disturbances in the menstrual cycle and severe pain.
The problem lessens during pregnancy and lactation and it sometimes does not return. but, more often it does return .
CAUSES:
Although the exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, possible explanations include:
1. Retrograde menstruation. In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. These endometrial cells stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed over the course of each menstrual cycle.
Another theory suggests that endometrial tissue may travel and implant via blood or lymphatic channels, similar to the way cancer cells spread.
2. Embryonic cell transformation. Hormones such as estrogen may transform embryonic cells — cells in the earliest stages of development — into endometrial-like cell implants during puberty.
4. Surgical scar implantation. After a surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
Endometrial cell transport. The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
5. Immune system disorder. A problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial-like tissue that's growing outside the uterus.
6. Stress: endometriosis is a condition associated with high levels of chronic stress.
Can stress cause high estrogen levels?
The same goes for stress as the body uses up more progesterone to manufacture the stress hormone cortisol and in turn leaves us with an excess of estrogen.
7. Genetic / hereditary: Your genes could also play a role. If your mom or sister has endometriosis, you’re more likely to get it. Research shows that it tends to get worse from one generation to the next.
8. Tampons (A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation) reduce the internal flow and can increase the likelihood of developing or increasing the implants. they also increase the pain and cramping. And also tampons are made of cotton, or blend of rayon and cotton
SYMPTOMS:
Acute pain in lower abdomen or back pain during periods/non periods(this happens in chronic cases)
Heavy periods, frequent periods or early periods
Bleeding in between periods or spotting
Periods lasting longer than 7 days
Passing clots during periods
Painful intercourse
Difficulty becoming pregnant, Infertility
Bowel and urinary problems, including pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, bloating, Painful urination, Painful defecation
Mood swings
Depression
RISK FACTORS:
Several factors place you at greater risk of developing endometriosis, such as:
Never giving birth: Endometriosis may obstruct the tube and keep the egg and sperm from uniting, damaging the sperm or egg.
Starting your period at an early age
Going through menopause at an older age
Short menstrual cycles — for instance, less than 27 days
Heavy menstrual periods that last longer than seven days
Having higher levels of estrogen in your body or a greater lifetime exposure to estrogen your body produces
Low body mass index
One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis
Any medical condition that prevents the passage of blood from the body during menstrual periods
Disorders of the reproductive tract
Endometriosis diet:
1. Increase your intake of omega-3 fats.(women who ate the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids were 22% less likely to develop endometriosis than the women who ate the least amount).
2. Increase your intake of antioxidants.
3. Try an anti-inflammatory diet.
green leafy vegetables
broccoli
celery
blueberries
ginger
chia seeds
4. Increase intake of cruciferous Vegetables, Cruciferous Vegetables have been shown to have great success in helping rid the body of bad estrogens. Examples would be broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.
5 . Avoid sugar and processed foods
6. Avoid Some experts think the high amount of fat in meat like beef encourages endometriosis. High Fat diets cause your body to produce chemicals called prostaglandins, which may lead to more estrogen production. This extra estrogen could be what causes excess endometrial tissue to grow.
7. Avoid Trans-Fat: women who ate the most trans fats had a 48% higher risk than those who ate the least, so the type of fat you eat matters.
8. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Drinking caffeinated coffee and soda seems to increase your chances of developing endometriosis,
9. Animal products, especially dairy products, chicken and fish, eggs or milk contain high estrogen levels because they are produced in parts of the animal's body that regulate its hormones, as milk is converted to cheese, the estrogens are more concentrated, estrogen are fat-soluble, the level of hormones is higher in whole milk than in skim milk.
People who eat meat regularly are exposed to high levels of these natural sex steroids
10. Avoid GMO Foods
11. Eat much raw food, high in fiber
12. Drink carrot juice daily
Common signs and symptoms associated with Estrogen Dominance:
Irregular menses and heavy bleeding
Weight gain, especially in your hips, thighs and mid-section. Excess body fat (especially stored in the hips, waist, and thighs) is one of the leading causes of estrogen dominance. Not only does fat tissue absorb and store estrogen circulating in your bloodstream,
Fibroids/Endometriosis
Fibrocystic Breasts and Gynecomastia in men
Insomnia
Depression/Anxiety/Irritability
Low Libido
Fatigue
Breast CA
Infertility/PCOS
How can I flush excess estrogen?
Exercise regularly. Research suggests that exercise can help to reduce high estrogen levels. Premenopausal women who engage in aerobic exercise for five hours a week or more saw their estrogen levels drop by nearly 19%. Cardio exercise helps the body break estrogen down and flush away any excess like,
- Brisk walking.
- Running.
- Jogging or jogging in place.
- Burpee.
- Bear crawls.
- Swimming.
- Water aerobics.
- Cycling/bicycling.
- Exercise regularly. There are a lot of reasons exercise is a great way to manage your endometriosis. Working out encourages your heart to pump blood to all your organs, improve circulation, and help nutrients and oxygen flow to all your systems. Women who also exercise may have less estrogen and have lighter periods, which can help improve their symptoms of endometriosis over time.
- Exercise helps reduce stress. And because it releases brain chemicals called endorphins, it can actually relieve pain. Even just a few minutes of a physical activity that makes you breathe hard or sweat can create that effect.
- Kegel exercises can help with your particular pelvic floor dysfunction
- KEGEL EXERCISE
Kegel exercise is also known as pelvic floor exercise. This is done to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. Pelvic muscles become weak due to pregnancy, childbirth, constipation leading to straining of muscles, some surgeries and age-related. Most helpful in urinary incontinence, where urine leaks on coughing, sneezing or laughing hard.
The exercise can be done in any position, be it sitting or lying down, anytime, anywhere.
Imagine yourself holding/stopping micturition, where you draw up the anus and tighten the vagina. Hold it till the count of three, release and relax till the count of three and repeat. It can be done about 100 times a day for several months.
- NATURAL TREAMENT:
1. Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory properties which has the ability to inhabit the growth of endometrial tissue
Procedure:
• Take a teaspoon of organic turmeric powder, a teaspoon of ginger powder and 2-3 teaspoons of organic honey.
• Boil 2 cups of water in a small bowl. Combine all three ingredients. Drink twice a day for a week.
Turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. The curcumin in turmeric gives it anti-inflammatory properties that help contain the inflammation caused by endometriosis.
Ginger is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that helps relieve cramps caused by endometriosis. Ginger is effective in moving blood and in decongesting the pelvis. So, you can also eat raw ginger on a regular basis or go for ginger tea to ease the symptoms of endometriosis.
Honey in its natural form is an excellent medicine that strengthens the body's immune system. The combination of these three ingredients makes the perfect home remedy for endometriosis.
2. Dandelion root may provide relief from endometriosis and breast tenderness before menstruation, as well as other symptoms of excess estrogen. It strengthens the liver's ability to restore hormonal balance in women who suffer from such disorders.
3. Peppermint can reduce the severity of pain from menstrual cramps.
4. Indian ginseng (PCOD)
5. Asparagus racemosus (root)& Bauhinia variegata (see PCOD)
Others:
Liver detox:
Pelvic massages:
Hydrotherapy: Fomentation: Heat-placing hot water bottle or, a heating pad on the lower abdomen as it relaxes pelvic muscles and reduces the pain.
Hot and cold sitz bath, for 20-30 minutes at a time, help reduce congestion, Another help is a hot footbath for 30 minutes. Conclude either treatment with a bold mitten friction.
Fasting for 3 days (on fresh fruits and vegetable juices and on distilled water) each month before the anticipated beginning of he menstrual period.
Application:
Wild yam: stabilize estrogen levels in the body to help relieve a person's symptoms, that may also relieve menstrual pain and spasms and help reduce occurrence of menopausal symptoms
choose one location for each application, alternating between your inner thighs, inner arms, stomach, and chest, massaging gently until the cream is fully absorbed.
Castor oil: Apply castor oil on the lower abdomen and cover with a cotton cloth. Then on top of it you should put a heating pad or a hot water bottle for about half an hour. Such castor oil packs aid in warming the area and encouraging the flow of blood. It also assists in
treating infertility caused due to endometrial scarring. However, it is advisable to not to do this therapy during periods.
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