Endometriosis is a painful and chronic disorder in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. This abnormality can cause significant pain, particularly during a menstrual period. This disorder typically develops within several years of the onset of menstruation and ends permanently with menopause.
The main symptom that women report with endometriosis is pelvic pain. Many women also experience dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and cramping and pelvic pain can begin days before a menstrual periods, as well as continue for days after. Other symptoms include painful intercourse, bowel movements and urination, fatigue, bloating and nausea. Around one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis also experience infertility issues.
Lifestyle Recommendations
• Reduce lifestyle stressors and avoid internalizing stress; incorporate balance and relaxation into life; include deep breathing exercises and biofeedback devices. • Manage weight; avoid obesity, especially abdominal obesity. • Avoid alcohol which can burden the liver. • Reduce caffeine; avoid energy drinks and sodas, and drink less than 2 cups of coffee per day. • Use organic, safe cosmetics and household cleaners to avoid exposure to excess chemicals which can signal inflammation and oxidative stress. • Consider investing in a HEPA filter and a water filtration system. • Address lifestyle strategies, exercise, diet and interventions for correcting abnormal blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure, circulation, hormonal panel, thyroid panel, and homocysteine levels. • Consider estrogen metabolite ratio testing.
Dietary Tips and Caveats
• Increase consumption of organic fresh fruits and green vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables that supply beneficial isothiocyanates (or their precursor glucosinolates). • Increase dietary fiber from fibrous foods to balance estrogens• Avoid daily red meat consumption • Avoid all dairy and animal proteins containing antibiotics and hormones. • Avoid genetically modified foods. • Avoid heavy sugar consumption and white flour products, which are inflammatory. • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet that is rich in omega-3 fats; include olive oil, raw nuts and seeds, wild caught fatty, cold-water fish, grass-fed beef, nut butters, and omega-3 eggs. • Use herbs and spices high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties such as turmeric, rosemary, ginger and basil. • Strive to keep blood sugar optimal and snack on healthy fats such as coconut, nuts, seeds, avocados.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Endometriosis?
There is a strong relationship between the location of the spinal cord and the location of the reproductive organs. As such, chiropractic care helps to minimize distortions in areas of the body where the reproductive organs are located. This is because chiropractic treatment helps to restore normal peristaltic motion, which is responsible for the processes of the reproductive system. Peristaltic motion (muscular function that is regulated by the autonomous nervous system) is linked in particular to the normal functioning of the uterus, as it enables the egg to travel down the fallopian tube. However, if there is a lack of adequate peristaltic motion present, a fertilized egg will not be delivered to the uterus. For those with endometriosis, peristaltic motion is so irregular, that it becomes blocked and instead sends uterine tissue to the abdominal cavity as well as the uterus.