A condition where cells from the endometrium (lining of the womb) move out of the womb (uterus).
These wandering endometrial tissues or endometrial implants can land up eventually in the fallopian tubes, on the tubes, on the ovaries and at the back of the womb. Other less common places are the cervix, colon, bladder, appendix and very rarely on the liver surface, in the lungs or even in the brain.
During a menstrual period, the misplaced endometrial tissues will duly respond to the monthly cycle of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and bleed but the blood stays within the body unlike normal menstruation where blood is discharged out of the vagina.
Symptoms of endometriosis (some of which can occur before or during menstruation) include heavy periods (i.e. changing pads/tampons more than once an hour), back pain, pelvic pain, intestinal gas, diarrhea or constipation, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) with varying pain intensity, spotting before period, irregular periods and painful sex.
Blood in the abdomen causes intense inflammation which causes pain. It can lead to severe scarring, cyst formation and even organ dysfunction.
A cyst formed by mentrual fluid has been given the name chocolate cyst.
How do the endometrial tissues misplace themselves is not known but it is generally believed that during menstruation when the lining sheds and leaves the body through the vagina, a backflow through the fallopian tubes to the ovaries and the body cavity occurs at the same time. These tissues cause flammation on the fallopian tubes (thus infertility at risk) and the pelvis (causing pelvic pain). They can also form endometriotic cysts on the ovaries.
Endometriosis occurs during the reproductive years. It has strong links to the dominance of the hormone estrogen.
Stress can aggravate the condition by disturbing hormonal balance.
Food allergies may exacerbate symptoms.
Drugs used to treat endometriosis aim at suppressing ovulation so that the symptoms will cease. Unfortunately they do not cure the problem.
In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the endometrial implants.
There are some people with endometriosis who experience no symptoms at all.
NONI
A natural tropical fruit found to contain over 150 nutraceuticals which include 20 amino acids, 9 of which are essential because they are not produced in the body, vitamin A, all the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, ursolic acid, linoleic acid, proxeronine (bromelain), scopoletin, pectin, phytosterols, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Noni contains bromelain which is now called proxeronine, a natural potent anti-inflammatory enzyme which reduces swelling and inflammation. It is very effective against menstrual pain.
At present noni is known to be the best source of proxeronine, an active substance found in bromelain, as it contains 40 times more than any other known food, including pineapple.
Its traditional uses include immune booster, pain, arthritis, diabetes, headaches, cuts and scrapes, skin problems, cancer, high blood pressure and many more.
Noni is able to suppress endometriosis and potentially normalize it.
Recommended dose : take 8 ounces a day for 2 to 4 months, then subsequently 4 ounces a day for maintenance. To relieve menstrual pain fast take 2 ounces. Drink plenty of water before and after drinking noni juice to help the body absorb the juice and flush toxins from the system.
Reference : "The Xeronine System" Ralph Heinicke (Direct Source, 2002)
CALCIUM and MAGNESIUM
High doses of calcium and magnesium lower the production levels of prostaglandins (series two prostaglandins), which are short-lived, hormone-like chemicals produced by the uterine cells to shed the womb lining during menstruation by contracting the uterine muscles.
Over-produced series two prostaglandins will contribute to more contractions which inevitably will cause painful cramping.
Recommended dose : 500 mg calcium and 250 mg magnesium both to be taken twice daily. To be taken throughout the whole period.
VITAMIN B3 - NIACIN
Relieves cramping by dilating the uterine arteries to step up blood circulation.
VITAMIN B COMPLEX
Helps the liver break down excess estrogen.
VITAMIN C
Encourages the healing of tissues damaged by cysts and scarring. Lessens heavy menstrual bleeding.
VITAMIN E
Helps to balance hormone production.
SHEPHERD'S PURSE
Reduces heavy bleeding by contstricting blood vessels. It helps tone the uterus.
CHASTEBERRY (Vitex agnus-castus)
Helps to balance hormone levels. Helps to relax the uterus.
WILD YAM (Dioscorea villosa)
See Chasteberry.
FEVERFEW (Chrysanthemum parthenium)
A close relative of the chrysanthemum family, feverfew is a pain-killer used not only to relieve menstrual pain but also migraine, fever and arthritis.
Not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers or children below 2.
CRAMP BARK (Viburnum opulus)
Relaxes uterine muscles and stops spasms. For chronic pelvic pain, combining cramp bark (half teaspoon) and niacin (100mg) twice daily can help.
Reference : "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine" Tori Hudson (McGraw-Hill, 1999)
MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum)
Supports and protects the liver. One of the liver's functions is to break down estrogen so that it can be excreted from the body.
DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)
Enhance and support liver function.
ARTICHOKE LEAVES (Cynara scolymus)
Enhance and support liver function.
PROGESTERONE CREAM
Authors of 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause' (Warner Bks, 1999) recommend the use of high doses of progesterone cream (40 to 60 mg daily) from day 5 to 28 (or whenever your normal cycle ends) of the menstrual cycle. It could take up to 6 months for symptoms to come under control. Once the symptoms are more tolerable, reduce the dose to as close to 2 ounces (1 ounce = 480 mg) a month from day 12 to the end of your cycle. Increase dose if symptoms return. Work with a health care professional when using high doses.
High doses can cause sleepiness which is an indication that you are taking too much. Reduce dose until the sleepiness disappears.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are converted in the body by enzymes to become series three prostaglandins (PGE3). This particular type of prostaglandin is beneficial because they are anti-inflammatory.
The body requires an essential fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) to make EPA and DHA. Cold water fish oils contain EPA while LNA is found in canola, soybean, walnuts, flaxseeds and dark green leafy vegetables.
OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS
Evening primrose oil contains the omega-6 fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA, is a precursor to the beneficial prostaglandin E1 series (PGE1) which has anti-inflammatory properties and the prostaglandin E2 series (PGE2).
The body is able to manufacture certain amounts of GLA from an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid (which the body does not make and must be obtained from one's diet).
Supplementing with GLA can push up PGE1 production levels. GLA helps the body to deal with inflammatory problems (e.g. arthritis, asthma, pms and skin conditions), cardiovascular disease, depression and schizophrenia.
Sources of GLA are borage seed oil and blackcurrant oil. Though they have a higher content of GLA (20%-26% for borage and 14%-19% for blackcurrant) than evening primrose oil, the presence of other fatty acids may interfere with GLA absorption. Sources of linoleic acid include sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, noni, pumpkin, sesame, soybean, spirulina and wheat germ.
The omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (e.g. corn, safflower, sesame and sunflower oils) should be used sparingly because polyunsaturated fats have been linked to an increase risk of cancer whereas the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids delay or reduce tumor development. In addition, polyunsaturated vegetable oils contain high calories. A tablespoon of vegetable oil is almost equivalent to 120 calories.
All essential fatty acids deteriorate rapidly when exposed to heat, light, air and metals.
FIBER
Fiber can help bring estrogen levels down by binding with free estrogen in the intestine and removing the estrogen from the body on its way out as stools.
Feast on soy foods such as tofu, tempeh and miso. These foods are rich in plant estrogens which could help block harmful forms of estrogen.
Eliminate trans-fatty acids (e.g. partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and margarine).
Refrain from animal fat, dairy products and eggs. Animals may contain hormones. Moreover, the PGE2 (responsible for triggering muscle contractions) is derived from animal fat meat, dairy products and eggs.
Refrain from alcohol and coffee because they interfere with the liver's ability to process excess estrogen. In addition, coffee promotes the production of estrogen.
The use of tampons may obstruct menstrual flow and may promote cramping.
"We know that the symptoms of endometriosis pretty much disappear during pregnancy, only to flare up again after delivery. This suggests that the sex hormones are involved and, further, that the high progesterone levels of pregnancy may be the important factor."
"When you have endometriosis you want to use progesterone cream from day 8 to day 26 of your circle to reduce the effects of estrogen, which stimulates the endometrial growth, just taking a short week off to refresh your hormones receptors. Your ultimate goal is to find the least dose of progestrone necessary to control endometrial stimulation." - John Lee, Jesse Hanley & Virginia Hopkins, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause (Warner Bks, 1999)
Homeopathic formula for menstrual cramps Relief of symptoms of menstrual cramping, especially those which radiate, are made better by pressure & heat, & are made worse by motion.
