Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue can be found outside of the uterus, usually on other reproductive organs inside the pelvis or in the abdominal cavity. John Hopkins Medicine describes this process as each month, misplaced tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle by building up and breaking down just as the endometrium does, resulting in small bleeding inside of the pelvis. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and scarring of the normal tissue surrounding the endometriosis implants.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 2 to 10 percent of American women between the ages of 25 and 40. John Hopkins Medicine notes some of the symptoms below:

• Pain, especially excessive menstrual cramps that may be felt in the abdomen or lower back.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Abnormal or heavy menstrual flow.
• Infertility.
• Painful urination during menstrual periods.
• Painful bowel movements during menstrual periods

It is well known that endometriosis is fed by estrogen, and many women with endometriosis also find they can be estrogen dominant.

One recent study noted, ”...Since endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, treatment approaches still rely on mechanisms to suppress estrogen action. But this approach has the considerable disadvantage of affecting fertility and producing menopausal-like side effects” (Endometriosis News).

Dr. Ray Peat Ph.D. explains this idea further. “It involves the liver and the pituitary but estrogen is very central to the actual lesion or abnormal tissue of the endometriosis. Simply by reducing estrogen exposure, you can alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis The cells begin producing estrogen, they contain the express the enzyme aromatase which manufactures estrogen which they used to think existed only in the ovary, then it turned out to exist in fat cells, breast cells, skin cells, bone and muscle everywhere that's under stress will begin to produce estrogen molecules. And when that happens in the endometrial tissue, it should be exposed to estrogen for only about 12 hours each month and then progesterone should surge up to 50 or 100 times higher concentration and cause the cells to give up their production of estrogen and release what they had."

Women can become estrogen dominant through lifestyle factors such as diet, environmental toxins, and certain medications.

Nutritionally-devoid foods including crackers, baked goods, canola oil, and sunflower oil can create inflammation, and an unhealthy weight, and ultimately contribute to estrogen dominance. Making simple eating changes like prioritizing protein, avoiding vegetable oils, and eating sugars from natural sources can help significantly to reduce inflammation.

Bioidentical progesterone has been shown to have very effective clinical results. Even progestin (a synthetic version of progesterone) demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of endometriosis. One study reported reduced or eliminated pain symptoms in approximately 90% of the patients. The study was not done with bioidentical progesterone, but our clinical experience reveals, that the success of bioidentical progesterone may be even better.

To get started on solving your endometriosis, go to www.momenthealth.co