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