Endometriosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Natural Fertility

Everything You Do Makes a Difference

Search

// a much better way

Causes of Infertility

Endometriosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

By Natural Fertility ⋅

Email ⋅

Print ⋅

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the Natural Fertility RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Author: Juliet Cohen

Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus (endometrial cells), but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometrial cells are also the same cells that are shed each month during menstruation. Endometriosis is a common health problem in women. In women with this problem, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. These areas can be called growths, tumors, implants, lesions, or nodules. Endometriosis is estimated to affect over one million women (estimates range from 3% to 18% of women) in the United States.

It is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain and reasons for laparoscopic surgery and hysterectomy in this country. While the mean age at diagnosis is around 25-30 years, endometriosis has been reported in girls as young as 11 years of age. Endometriosis is rare in postmenopausal women. Endometrial cells (loosened during menstruation) may “back up” through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and grow in the pelvic or abdominal cavities. This is called retrograde-menstruation. When endometrial tissue is located elsewhere in your body, it continues to act in its normal way: It thickens, breaks down and bleeds each month as your hormone levels rise and fall.

This monthly breakdown and bleeding subsequently becomes trapped inside the pelvic cavity because there is nowhere for the blood from this displaced tissue to exit your body. Trapped blood may lead to the growth of cysts. Cysts, in turn, may form scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together. This process can cause pain in the area of misplaced tissue, often the pelvis, especially during your period. Scars and adhesions related to endometriosis also can cause fertility problems. Pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. Usually the pain is in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis. Some women have no pain, even though their disease affects large areas. Other women with endometriosis have severe pain even though they have only a few small growths. Women with endometriosis may also have gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, or bloating, especially during their periods.

Causes of Endometriosis

Estrogen hormones
Retrograde menstruation
Immune system
Allergic reactions
Impact of toxins

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Pain during sexual intercourse
Infertility
Fatigue
Painful urination during periods
Infertility

Treatment of Endometriosis
Progesterone counteracts estrogen and inhibits the growth of the endometrium. Progesterone therapy can reduce or eliminate menstruation in a controlled and reversible fashion. Progestins are chemical variants of natural progesterone. Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) induce a profound hypoestrogenism by decreasing FSH and LH levels. While quite effective, they induce unpleasant menopausal symptoms, and over time may lead to osteoporosis.

Danazol (Danocrine) and gestrinone are suppressive steroids with some androgenic activity. Both agents inhibit the growth of endometriosis but their use remains limited as they may cause hirsutism. There has been some research done at Case Western Reserve University on a topical Danocrine, applied locally, which has not produced the hirsutism characteristics. Pseudopregnancy can be created using oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progesterone. Women take the medicine consistently for 6 to 9 months. This type of therapy relieves most of the symptoms, but does not prevent scarring from the disease.

Oral contraceptive pills (estrogen and progesterone in combination) are also sometimes used to treat endometriosis. The most common combination used is in the form of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Treatment of endometriosis has involved the administration of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole [Arimidex] and letrozole [Femara] are examples). These drugs act by interrupting local estrogen formation within the endometriosis implants themselves. They also inhibit estrogen production in the ovary, brain, and other sources, such as adipose issue.

Conservative surgery removes endometrial growths, scar tissue and adhesions without removing your reproductive organs. In laparoscopic surgery, a slender viewing instrument (laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision near your navel. The laparoscope is equipped with a laser, a cautery — an instrument that destroys tissue with heat — or small surgical instruments. Laparotomy can be used for more extensive surgery either in attempt to restore normal anatomy, or at least preserve reproductive potential.

About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes health articles for health care guide She also writes articles for women health

Buy the Book: Endometriosis: A Holistic Healing Guide

Sheryl’s Comment:
Please do not resort to surgical or chemical treatments for endometriosis until you have tried the natural remedies. Most natural remedies for endometriosis are diet related. The first step to take is to remove all animal protein from your diet that is not 100% organic. The hormones and endocrine disruptors found in commercially raised beef, chicken, eggs and dairy have been implicated in endometriosis. You can either give up this protein altogether and either go vegan or stick to Wild Alaskan Salmon. If that is too difficult, (and it is for the vast majority of Americans), then simply choose organic, free range animal products. There are plenty of books and websites on natural remedies for endometriosis and it is certainly easier, healthier and much less expensive to switch to organic eggs than to have surgery or drug yourself up to trick your body into thinking you are pregnant or menopausal.

Buy the Book: Endometriosis, A Holistic Healing Guide

Previous post: Fertility Monitors May Help You Conceive

Next post: Can Supplements Help Male Fertility?

Discussion

One comment for “Endometriosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment”

I agree with Sheryl - there are natural means to take care of endometriosis. Although I admit that I initially went the more Western route and ended up with the laparoscopy, the endometriosis came back (not uncommon). So the 2nd time around, I looked to acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and energy psychology techniques. These all helped considerably to re-balance my system and allow my body to heal itself. While the acupuncture and Chinese herbs helped to lessen the symptoms of pain each month, I believe that the energy psychology methods used played a strong role in actually getting rid of the endometriosis for me. Now, as an acupuncturist, I see often that these types of illness/issues have emotional & mental roots (whether we’re aware of them or not). So while the acupuncture and herbs can help your energy systems of your body, the energy psychology helps the mind let go of whatever is getting in the way. Both approaches have “cured” me of endometrial pain (although the Dr’s told me to go back every 5 yrs to get the laparoscopy again. I have never gone back).

So yes, there are natural ways to take care of endometriosis and any other menstrual related problems, including PMS, infertility and menopause. Our body just needs to know how to take care of itself again.

Posted by Fuyiu from Acupuncture |