| Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial | | | | increasing fiber intake, and minimising fats. |
| tissue that lines the uterus grows outside | | | | She also recommends:mutli vitamins - a good |
| the uterus, usually in the pelvic area. But | | | | supplement with good levels of the B |
| it can grow anywhere, even in the brain and | | | | vitaminsmagnesium - 400 - 800 mg which is |
| lungs. Endometrios is stimulated partly by | | | | about 90 - 150 mg of elemental magnesium. |
| the hormones of menstruation. So pain, a | | | | This helps to relax muscles.Managing Pain |
| characteristic of symptomatic endometriosis, | | | | Through NutritionThe premise behind this is |
| is worse at ovulation and during the | | | | that "diseases which are the result of |
| menstrual and premenstrual parts of a woman's | | | | vitamin deficiency are associated with |
| cycle.Symptoms of endometriosis include | | | | unspecific |
| pelvic pain, abnormal menstruation cycles, | | | | |
| and infertitlity. If you have endometrial | | | | pains." (p62, Mills & Vernon). And Mills & |
| tissue growing between the uterus and the | | | | Vernon also found research papers that showed |
| rectum, symptoms can include pain during sex, | | | | that some vitamins have pain relieving and |
| pain with bowel movements (especially before | | | | anti-inflammatory effects.They suggest these |
| a period) and pressure in the rectal area. | | | | vitamins as options in pain management:DLPA - |
| Some women don't have any symptoms, but their | | | | D,L-Phenylalanine is an amino acid that has |
| doctors discover endometrial tissue growing | | | | been found to relieve chronic pain. It needs |
| where it shouldn't during a routine check, or | | | | to be taken consistently over time. Some |
| a check for other conditions.Dr Christiane | | | | people notice an immediate effect, for others |
| Northrup writes of a link between | | | | it takes several weeks. If there is no effect |
| endometriosis and the autoimmune system. She | | | | after this time then it probably won't work |
| cites studies on women with symptoms of | | | | for you. Take 2 tablets three times a day |
| endometriosis that "show these women often | | | | until pain symptoms are relieved. The |
| have antibodies against their own tissue, | | | | maintenance dose is followed after this, |
| called auto-antibodies. This means that at | | | | which is 1-2 a day. This is based on tablets |
| some deep level, the mind of their pelvis is | | | | being 375mg. You may need a presciption for |
| rejecting aspects of itself." This is an | | | | these.essential fatty acids - fish oils |
| interesting approach, the psycho-spiritual | | | | (omega 3), evening primrose (omega 6: Take |
| one, that can help address the underlying | | | | 2000mg per day. Make sure they are cold |
| energetic and emotional imbalances in our | | | | pressed. A combination oil, like Udo's, is |
| bodies when we are dealing with illness.She | | | | effective, though a bit more expensive. To |
| goes on to say "When a woman feels that her | | | | learn more about the optimal ratios of |
| innermost emotional needs are in direct | | | | essential fatty acids, read this article on |
| conflict with what the | | | | evening primrose oil.zinc citrate, or |
| | | | chelated zinc: Research has demonstrated that |
| world is demanding of her, endometriosis is | | | | zinc has anti-inflammatory effects on the |
| on of the ways in which her body tries to | | | | knee joints. It reduces the release of |
| draw attention to the problem." (p152, | | | | histamine and leukotriene from cells during |
| Northrup)Managing Endometriousus NaturallyDr | | | | the inflammatory process.the non yeast form |
| Northrup suggests a treatment that supports | | | | of seleniumvitamin A, C, and E which are |
| the functioning of the immune system whilst | | | | antioxidants: Vitamin E inhibits the |
| allowing sufferers of | | | | production of prostaglandins, which are |
| | | | involved in the inflammatory process.the non |
| endometriosis to find out what they need to | | | | yeast forms of vitamins B1, B6 and B12: These |
| address in their lives.Natural | | | | three B vitamins together have an |
| ProgesteroneThis Works to decrease the | | | | anti-inflammatory effectvitamin c with |
| effects of estrogen on endometrial tissue. | | | | bioflavanoids and enzymes that digest |
| Its advantages are that it doesn't have | | | | proteins: Beneficial for reducing |
| | | | inflammation, and helps the immune |
| side effects. The cream is applied every day | | | | system.proanthcyanadins (found in grape seed |
| to soft areas of the skin like the face, neck | | | | extract) |
| and abdomen. Dr Northrup | | | | |
| | | | quercitin |
| recommends using a 2 oz jar per month, | | | | |
| alternating the areas it is applied to. She | | | | resveratrol |
| recommends applying it on days | | | | |
| | | | probiotics |
| ten to twenty-eight of each monthly cycle. | | | | |
| There are also natural progesterone capsules | | | | (p74, Mills & Vernon)Nutritionally, many |
| that are inserted | | | | women with endometriosis find that when they |
| | | | stop eating wheat, they have either less or |
| into the vagina or rectum. The recommended | | | | no pain. |
| dosage of these is 200 to 400 mg twice a | | | | |
| day.Castor Oil PacksApply a castor oil pack | | | | Some people are sensitive to sugar and |
| to the lower area of your abdomen three times | | | | gluten also. If you remove these items one at |
| a week or more, for one hour each session. | | | | a time from your diet for a period |
| Watch what feelings or thoughts come up for | | | | |
| you during this time.Other OptionsConsider | | | | of about a month, then watch how your body |
| getting a massage once a week on alternate | | | | reacts when you eat them again, you'll know |
| weeks for two months. Some women have | | | | whether this applies to you.Many women have |
| reported this alleviates | | | | found relief from endometriosis by trying the |
| | | | different methods above. Sometimes a |
| their symptoms.Find ways to express your | | | | combination of approaches, |
| creativity, nurture yourself, meet your own | | | | |
| needs. Discover what your needs | | | | both natural and conventional, works best. |
| are.Accupuncture and chinese | | | | It depends on your individual circumstances, |
| herbsAccupuncture is excellent for managing | | | | the level of endometriosis, and the nature of |
| pain, and using the traditional chinese | | | | the journey that you are able to take with |
| system of diagnosis, can address | | | | your body.References: |
| | | | |
| underlying energetic imbalances within your | | | | 1. Endometriosus: A Key To Healing Through |
| body. Best of all, the treatment is tailored | | | | Nutrition, by Dian Mills & Michael Vernon |
| to you exactly. The chinese | | | | (Thorsons, 2002) |
| | | | |
| herbs prescribed usually work in conjunction | | | | 2. Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdon by Dr |
| with the accupuncture treatment, although | | | | Christiane Northrup (Piatkus, 1995)Rebecca |
| they can be taken on their own to great | | | | Prescott runs two websites covering health |
| effect.Changes In Diet Dr Northrup has found | | | | issues from a natural perspective. The first |
| that because symptoms of endometriosis are | | | | reviews vitamins and |
| associated with too much estrogen, minimising | | | | |
| foods that encourage estrogen production can | | | | supplements in terms of possible health |
| help alleviate symptoms. This means removing | | | | solutions, and the second covers acne |
| dairy products, even of the low fat variety, | | | | treatments. |