C. A. PhiferRowe

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic painful disease that is more common than you think.

Signs and symptoms of endometriosis? (En·do·me·tri·o·sis) and what you need to know

  • Pain (usually pelvic) that usually occurs just before menstruation and lessens after menstruation.
  • Painful sexual intercourse.
  • Cramping during intercourse.
  • Cramping or pain during bowel movements or urination.
  • Infertility.
  • Pain with pelvic examinations.
  • Endometriosis causes painful periods and pain with deep penetration during sex. Since it can form scar tissue adhesions on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus, it is often known to cause infertility in women. Endometriosis can be serious especially if it remains untreated.

Pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor manually feels (palpates) areas in your pelvis for abnormalities, such as cysts on your reproductive organs or scars behind your uterus. Studies says it’s not possible to feel small areas of endometriosis, unless a cyst has form.

Left untreated, endometriosis can (however does not always) result in a range of symptoms, including: Dysmenorrhoea (pain during menstruation) Pelvic pain. Infertility (the inability to become pregnant) or subfertility (a reduced ability to become pregnant.

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate endometriosis.

Endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage. An early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary medical team and an understanding of your diagnosis may result in better management of your symptoms.

Risk Factors

Several factors place you at greater risk of developing endometriosis, such as:

  • Never giving birth
  • Starting your period at an early age
  • Going through menopause at an older age
  • Short menstrual cycles — for instance, less than 27 days
  • Having higher levels of estrogen in your body or a greater lifetime exposure to estrogen your body produces
  • Low body mass index
  • Alcohol consumption
  • One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis
  • Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the body
  • Uterine abnormalities

Endometriosis usually develops several years after the onset of menstruation (menarche). Signs and symptoms of endometriosis end temporarily with pregnancy and end permanently with menopause, unless you’re taking estrogen.

8 Diet changes which might aid in managing Endometriosis.

  • Increase Your Intake of Omega-3 Fats. Share on Pinterest
  • Avoid Trans Fats
  • Cut Down on Red Meat
  • Eat Plenty of Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains
  • Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
  • Cut down on Processed Foods
  • Try a Gluten-Free or Low-FODMAP Diet
  • Soy May Be Beneficial

Self Healing

Can endometriosis heal on its own? In certain cases, symptoms may simply go away. About one-fourth of women with mild endometriosis will find that their symptoms will resolve on their own.

Foods that could have a positive affect endometriosis

  • Fibrous foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
  • Iron-rich foods, such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, beans, fortified grains, nuts, and seeds.
  • Foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, herring, trout, walnuts, chia, and flax seeds.

Getting rid of Endometriosis

Conservative surgery aims to remove or destroy the deposits of endometriosis and is usually done via a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). The surgeon can either cut out the endometriosis (known as excision) or destroy it using heat or laser. Although surgery can provide relief from symptoms, they can recur in time.

Home Remedies

  1. Heat. If your symptoms are acting up and you need relief, heat is one of the best home remedies you have at your disposal.
  2. OTC anti-inflammatory drugs.
  3. Castor oil.
  4. Turmeric.
  5. Choose anti-inflammatory foods.
  6. Pelvic massages.
  7. Ginger tea.

Encourage Yourself

My personal story regarding Endometriosis. I was living in Denver, Colorado when I started having extreme pain in my abdominal area. I decided to visit a women’s health clinic. But after doing so, they couldn’t find anything wrong with me.

With time the pain persisted making it very difficult to walk, stand for long periods of time, or be intimate. Within a months time, I made my way back to Arizona. Immediately making an appointment with my gynecologist, who was able to diagnose my symptoms right away.

My option to receive a shot every three months to help reduce the pain felt like a good one at the moment, until my hair started falling out and the weight gain horrified me.

After the first three months I decided against the injections. I couldn’t bare the thought of being a obese bald headed woman. My locks were everything to me, and the very thought of not being the most beautiful me I felt I could be, would affect my mind set in a most terrifying way. It was an image I wasn’t willing to adapt to.

But as God would have it, I seem to be healed. The pain was no more! It was the best decision I ever made, to quit the injections every three months.

Remember that Endometriosis requires a medical diagnosis. The most common symptoms are pain and menstrual irregularities