I first heard about endometriosis in my early 20’s when a doctor suggested I might have it. At the time I had debilitatingly painful periods that made me want to curl up into a ball under my desk each month. In fact, under my desk or on the couch in the production office (I used to be a freelance production coordinator on TV commercials in my former life), was where my production manager would often find me!

This doctor was clearly ahead of the game, but there wasn’t much she could offer me besides the pill. I’d been there, done that, so the pill was not an option for me at that point. In fact, in the five years I was on it, it had just masked all the symptoms I’d been experiencing, and now I felt like I was back to square one. Ugh.

I’ll share further down what I did instead of succumbing to the pharmaceutical push (because as you can imagine, that was certainly not the last time it was offered as a panacea for all my period woes).

Alarming Endometriosis stats

  • Endometriosis is estimated to affect approximately one in ten women of reproductive age, which is approximately 176 million women & people who menstruate in the world.
  • Studies have shown a delay from 3 to 11 years between the onset of symptoms and the final diagnosis of endometriosis. With an average of 9.28 years before receiving a proper diagnosis!! [2] (Um, hello! This is just not okay. Women’s health concerns need to be taken way more seriously. But don’t get me started on gender bias in medical care…I think a post on the topic is in order).
  • Up to 30% – 50% of women with endometriosis may experience infertility. Sadly, it’s one of the top 3 causes of infertility.[3]
  • One study found the prevalence of endometriosis in adolescent girls with pelvic pain to be close to 50%, whereas others estimate the number to be roughly 70%. This condition starts when we are young, and we have to intervene as early as possible.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a complex inflammatory disease in which tissue that is similar to the kind of tissue that grows in the uterus grows outside of the uterus (instead of just on the inside). This tissue responds to the hormone fluctuations that govern the menstrual cycle in the same way it would if it were in the uterus, building up each month before the period (to prepare for possible implantation of a fertilized egg), and then breaking down when the body signals that it’s time to shed this lining.

Endometriosis is typically non-cancerous and can cause A LOT of pain throughout the menstrual cycle, not just at menstruation.

The endometriosis growths and lesions are commonly found on organs in and around the pelvis like the fallopian tubes, the surface of the uterus, and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Endometriosis can also spread further into the abdomen though, affecting the intestines, the bladder, and the rectum. In rare cases it can even be present in the lungs!

The presence of this endometriosis tissue leads to a chronic cycle of inflammation that gets worse over time. This is because the body doesn’t recognize it, and is constantly sending it’s little immune system foot soldiers to try and address it.

These immune system soldiers contribute significantly to the inflammation as they try to manage the situation and repair the tissue

This leads to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions around the endometriotic tissue, which can cause a whole host of other issues – chronic inflammation, an increasingly abnormal immune response and even more scarring.

So yes, you guessed it – symptoms can worsen over time for many women. However, there are countless women (20-25% of them to be exact) who don’t even realize they have endometriosis until they are trying to conceive and lesions are found.

The symptoms of Endometriosis

Depending on the location and severity of the endometriosis tissue, symptoms can vary quite a bit. Since the endometriosis tissue is estrogen-responsive just like the endometrial lining of the uterus, symptoms often correlate with the menstrual cycles.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Pelvic pain, usually with menstruation, but some women may experience pain throughout the entire month
  • Severe cramping during menstruation can disrupt life for 1 or more days, and don’t typically go away with anti-inflammatories
  • Periods that last longer than 7 days (this often correlates with also having adenomyosis)
  • Heavy to very heavy menstrual flow (this often correlates with also having adenomyosis)
  • Bowel and urinary disorders that include painful urination or IBS-like symptoms. These conditions include vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor dysfunction[4]
  • Nausea or vomiting, especially during menstruation
  • Bloating
  • Debilitating fatigue
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Pain or bleeding during sex
  • Spotting or irregular bleeding outside of your period, and
  • Infertility – it manifests in up to 40% of women with endometriosis.

Causes of Endometriosis

Currently, endometriosis is rather poorly understood by the western medical community, and they have been slow to catch up to the latest findings on this condition.

Researchers have concluded that endometriosis has almost all the hallmarks of an autoimmune disease, and has been found to occur in conjunction with other autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases (including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) [5].

So this means there is definitely a connection between endometriosis, overall inflammation and immune system dysfunction. Digging even deeper, inflammation is connected to our gut function and liver health (the liver’s ability to detox effectively), because gut and liver health play an important role in autoimmunity and the development of autoimmune disease.

Additionally, research shows that while hormonal imbalance is not at the root of this painful condition it massively exacerbates it, with excess or unopposed estrogen being at the forefront. In other words, hormonal imbalance can make it worse, but doesn’t cause it. 

Genetics also play a role as it’s been found that women who have a close relative with the condition are 7 to 10 times more likely to get endometriosis. In female twins, there is a likelihood that both will get the condition, especially if they are identical.[6,7] Other factors that have been linked to the development of endometriosis include alcohol use, which can increase estrogen in the body and decrease the liver’s detoxification function, and low body weight.[8,9]

With regard to this, there are theories that suggest implants of the endometriosis tissues happen on the external surfaces of the pelvic organs during embryonic development, and then become “active” as puberty begins and the estrogenic environment changes, or through xenoestrogen exposure.

There is also evidence to suggest impaired methylation status in women with endometriosis due to genetic mutations. What this means is that in women with endo, the body is over-responding to estrogen which encourages growth of the endo lesions, while progesterone receptors are being silenced and thus becoming unresponsive to progesterone, which would normally balance out the strong influence of estrogen. As you know, estrogen feeds endometriosis lesions.

There has been a longstanding belief that something known as retrograde menstruation is also a cause of endometriosis. Normally, menstrual blood should flow from the uterus out of the body, but instead of the blood flowing out of the body through the vagina, the endometrial lining flows backwards through the fallopian tubes and into the abdomen. Here’s the thing, retrograde menstruation is associated with endometriosis, but not every woman who experiences retrograde menstruation has endometriosis. So, if you experience retrograde menstruation, it does not automatically mean you have endometriosis.

How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose. According to the study Invasive and non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of endometriosis, “imaging has limited utility in the diagnosis of endometriosis, as it lacks adequate resolution to identify adhesions or superficial peritoneal implants. Ultrasound is cheap and easy to perform, but user-dependent; MRI is more accurate but considerably more expensive. A CT scan of the pelvis does not visualize pelvic organs well, so it is not useful in the diagnosis of endometriosis. An important role for the CT scan with contrast is to detect ureteral involvement and possible renal insufficiency.”

In other words, if a doctor diagnoses you with endo or dismisses the idea that you might have endo based on an ultrasound, C scan or MRI, please find another doctor as soon as possible.

Exploratory laparoscopy surgery is currently the only fully viable method to diagnose or rule it out. Because there is not a great non-invasive alternative for diagnosis, women can wait for up to twelve years to get a proper diagnosis! What often happens instead of a diagnosis is women are prescribed the pill, pain medication and antidepressants, and sent on their way.

FYI – the pill does not slow down or stop the growth of endometriosis. The tissue can continue to grow while someone is on the pill. 

Is there a cure for Endometriosis?

There is currently no known cure for endometriosis, but there is a lot that can be done. I break it down into three components. 

#1. According to the top endometriosis clinicians, the most important first step once endometriosis has been confirmed, is to find a SKILLED excision surgeon to remove the endometrial lesions and any scar tissue. While this surgery isn’t necessary for relieving pain in every case, it is one of the best ways to stop the progression of the disease, improve your quality of life, and preserve your future fertility.

A good surgeon can usually remove everything in one go, but there are instances where multiple excision surgeries are required – usually if a woman has had previous surgeries or if the disease has had a lot of time to progress. In addition, hormonal suppression is used in conjunction with surgery (the birth control pill or Lupron are often used, but there are side effects to consider. Speak with your doctor about this).

Here are some resources:

#2. Additionally, women with endometriosis should also see a Pelvic Physical Therapist before, and after surgery to provide the best possible outcome for their recovery.

#3. I’m not an expert on surgery or hormonal suppression (so I can’t speak extensively about it), but I am an expert on nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, which is the third component of a well-rounded approach to endometriosis. 🙂

The goal when it comes to endo is to try and mitigate its symptoms by supporting the immune system (so it can work properly) and addressing inflammation. A natural approach that removes endocrine disruptors, and supports detoxification of estrogen has been extremely helpful in my practice.

More resources here in this article.

Making the case for optimal gut health if you have Endometriosis

The health of the GI tract is connected to endometriosis. Here are two reasons why…

Lipopolysaccharides & Leaky Gut

Lipopolysaccharides (or LPS) are endotoxins that come from the outer cell walls of unfriendly bacteria, also known as gram-negative bacteria. When the GI tract is out of balance and a person has leaky gut, LPS can travel across the gut barrier and enter the body. These toxins can have far-reaching effects – particularly on the immune system.

In combination with estradiol, LPS can promote pelvic inflammation and worsen endometriosis.[10] One study found that 80% of women with endometriosis have SIBO, and another suggested that the health of the intestinal bacteria played a critical role in the development and progression of endometriosis.[11,12]

Additionally, endometriosis can directly affect the GI tract, so it goes both ways. Prostaglandins, which are released during menstruation by the uterus and the endometrial lesions, affect the smooth muscle of the bowel and cause symptoms such as intestinal cramping and diarrhea. The endometrial cells can even invade through the wall of the intestines. This interferes with the gut’s ability to keep waste products moving, resulting in SIBO, yeast overgrowth, and bacterial imbalance, all of which will only worsen endometriosis as I just said.

Histamine Intolerance

Histamines are chemicals that are stored in immune cells known as Mast Cells, and are involved in nerve transmission and immune response regulation. When Mast Cells are triggered, they release histamines.

When a person has a histamine sensitivity, certain foods or environmental stimulants can cause a host of symptoms including: flushing, sneezing, itching, hives, headaches, wheezing, swelling, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

Interestingly, in women with endometriosis, mast cells are present in much higher quantities in the endometriosis tissue, than in healthy tissue of women who don’t have endometriosis.[13] As mentioned earlier, there is a correlation between an abnormal immune response, specifically a hyperimmune response and endometriosis.[14]

While genetics and certain foods can certainly play a role in histamine sensitivity, gut dysbiosis makes things much worse. People with leaky gut or small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are much more prone to histamine sensitivity.

This means that people with endometriosis need to support overall gut function and may want to experiment with avoiding histamine triggers.

Check out my colleague Jessica Duffin for more information on the connection between endometriosis and SIBO.

Solutions For Managing Endo Naturally

I never did the laparoscopic surgery to determine if I had endo, but I did a complete overhaul of my life in order to get my period pain under control. It wasn’t easy – I changed careers, upgraded my diet, lifestyle, and supplement regimen, and even moved to a place that made me happier!

And that brings me to my TOP SEVEN recommendations to help YOU manage endometriosis naturally.

#1 Curcumin (a powerful ingredient in turmeric)

In addition to being an incredible anti-inflammatory/brain boosting/cancer-preventing powerhouse, curcumin also prevents the growth of endometriosis cells by inhibiting the production of the hormone estradiol.[15] I recommend making a turmeric paste like this one and adding it to meals, soups and smoothies every day.

#2 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Add in cold-water, fatty fish to your diet, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines. Or supplement with 2 capsules of this omega-3 fish oil a day. I’ve written here about the connection between omega-3’s, inflammation and physical pain.

#3 Avoid or limit histamine-releasing foods

Try limiting intake or cutting these out completely for 4 weeks to see if there is a reduction in your symptoms.

  • Fermented, cured, or soured foods, such as yogurt, luncheon meat, pickles, and sour cream
  • Aged cheeses, such as cheddar and goat cheese, and smoked fish
  • Citrus fruit and dried fruits such as apricots and raisins
  • Alcoholic beverages, especially wine and beer
  • Certain nuts, including walnuts, peanuts, and cashews
  • Avocados, eggplant, spinach, tomatoes, chocolate, and dairy

I am also a big fan of quercetin, a flavonoid which works like an all natural anti-histamine – stabilizing the effects of histamines released from mast cells. It also doubles as a leaky gut and pain reliever. I like Pure Encapsulations Quercetin and recommend 500mg a day for 8-12 weeks.

#4 Blood sugar balancing for the win

If your blood sugar is consistently unstable, then it’s contributing to inflammation in your body. Long-term inflammation = pain. The goal is to eat a balance of protein, carbs, fat and fiber so your blood sugar doesn’t spike and crash all day long. This translates to more stable energy (no crashes mid-morning or mid-afternoon), more stable moods less drama, better sleep, beautiful skin and hair (yes sugar messes these up too), and waaaay better periods!

If you want to get a full morning, lunch and dinner protocol along with the exact steps you need to take to reclaim your energy, sparkle and inner happy girl (TODAY), then check out my Fix Your Blood Sugar Protocol.

#5 Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the Castor Oil plant and has been used by many cultures for centuries to promote healing, specifically reproductive system healing.  To learn more about this amazing pain remedy, read my blog post about it and download my free castor oil pack guide here.

#6 Support your liver’s ability to process estrogen

Each day eat 1-2 cups of cooked cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, and brussels sprouts, which are nutrient powerhouses that will help support the liver’s estrogen detoxification capacity. You can up your detox game by including the following supplements….

  • Di-indole methane (DIM), and Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (SGS) are cruciferous vegetable extracts that are helpful in cases of estrogen dominance. DIM supports phase 1 liver detoxification, and SGS supports phase 2. Start with SGS for 28 days, and then move onto the DIM. I like Thorne Research Crucera SGS. The standard recommendation is to take 100 milligrams every other day for 28 days. I like Designs for Health DIM Evail, and it’s typically recommended to take 200-400 milligrams a day for 28 days

#7 Avoid exposure to damaging chemicals and xenoestrogens

Polychlorinated and brominated chemicals, like PCBs and flame retardants, are harmful to the liver. These are present in drinking water and many foods. Other environmental toxins such as BPA and other plastic softeners like phthalates can artificially increase estrogen levels. Dioxins, which are bleach byproducts should also be avoided because they contribute to endometriosis progression.[16]

References:

  1. Rogers PA, et al. Priorities for endometriosis research: recommendations from an international consensus workshop. Reprod Sci 2009;16(4):335-46.; Adamson GD, et al. Creating solutions in endometriosis: global collaboration through the World Endometriosis Research Foundation. J of Endometriosis 2010;2(1):3-6
  2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12790847
  3. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/EndoDoesItCauseInfertility.pdf
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4432718/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24807511
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22330229
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26247027
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21620779
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8488967
  10. http://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/generalobgyn/39127
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25355803
  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9660426
  13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26901277
  14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17007852?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000
  15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15727565
  16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941414/
  17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2875884/