What Is Endometriosis – and What Are My Options?

Across the country, women are being diagnosed with endometriosis at an alarming rate. Even more concerning is that many of these women are still unaware of what endometriosis is and their treatment options.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus (the endometrium) starts to grow outside of it. This can cause a lot of pain and other symptoms like heavy bleeding during your period, fatigue, and infertility.

There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. These include things like pain medication, hormone therapy, and surgery.

Let’s take a closer look at endometriosis, its root causes, and some lifestyle interventions that may help.

What Causes Endometriosis?

The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a few theories. One theory is that it occurs when the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus (the endometrium) is shed during your period and then flows backward through your fallopian tubes and into your pelvis.

Another theory is that endometriosis is caused by an immune system disorder that allows the endometrium to grow outside of the uterus.

Regardless of the cause, we do know that endometriosis runs in families, so if you have a mother or sister with the condition, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.

What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. This pain can be sharp and crampy, or it can be a dull ache that lasts for days. It often gets worse during your period.

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

What Options Do I Have for Treating Endometriosis?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis. However, some treatments can help relieve the pain and other symptoms.

A 2021 study by Nirgianakis found that most dietary interventions had a positive effect on endometriosis symptoms but that all studies were of moderate and/or high-risk bias, limiting the validity of the results.

More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions on pain in women with endometriosis – but some researchers suggest approaching women with endometriosis from a modern pain management point of view, which includes lifestyle factors such as physical activity and patient education.

Lifestyle Interventions

You can do a few things at home to help ease the pain of endometriosis. These include:

Exercise: Taking a break from high-impact exercise during your period but staying active with things like walking, yoga, or swimming can help reduce pain.

Diet: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and avoiding processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol can help reduce inflammation.

Stress reduction: Stress can worsen endometriosis symptoms, so finding ways to reduce stress through things like yoga, meditation, or aromatherapy can be helpful.

Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese practice has been shown to be effective in reducing pain in some women with endometriosis.

Supplements: Taking supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin B6 can help reduce pain and other symptoms.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing endometriosis, but these lifestyle interventions can help ease the pain and other symptoms. If you’re struggling to manage your symptoms, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

How Functional Medicine Helps

Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on finding the root cause of disease and treating the whole person. It’s a holistic approach that looks at all of the factors that contribute to your health, including your diet, lifestyle, and environment.

Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of tests and treatments to get to the root cause of disease. They also work to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

If you’re struggling with endometriosis, functional medicine can help. At Internal Healing and Wellness, Dr. Khan and his team are helping those in the Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding areas find relief from endometriosis.

If you’re ready to take control of your health, contact Internal Healing and Wellness today to schedule a consultation. We are ready to help you find the root cause of your endometriosis and develop a treatment plan that works for you.