Endometriosis and Pain Management

ENDOMETRIOSIS - THE INVISIBLE PAIN .....

There is also the addition of emotional pain; the emotional distress caused by this disease and the emotional pain that many people do not take a woman’s Endometriosis pain seriously. The problem is that it is invisible. No-one can physically see what is wrong with you. On the outside you look perfectly normal. All these things simply build layer after layer of distress and misery. This is the reality for probably millions of women around the world today. And yet most of modern society views the idea of women’s pelvic pain as normal. NORMAL!!! That would be as insulting as saying that asthma is normal in children.

The fact that society in general views pelvic pain as normal means that women themselves also believe that their pain is normal. This is why it takes so long for some women to realize that something is actually wrong. They may start to discuss and compare their menstrual pain with other women and gradually they realize that the amount of pain they feel is not normal.

So if you are a woman reading this with a suspicion that you may have Endometriosis because of the amount of pain you suffer with your periods, you are well advised to get this checked out.

Location of Pain

Nearly all women with Endometriosis pain experience it in the pelvic area. The pain is often severe cramping that occurs on both sides of the pelvis, radiating to the lower back and rectal area and even down the legs.

Occasionally pain may also occur in other regions. Implants can also occur in the bladder (although rare) and cause pain and even bleeding during urination. Endometriosis can invade the intestine and cause painful bowel movements or diarrhea. Large cysts can rupture and cause very severe pain at any time in various locations.

Severity of Pain

The severity of pain also varies widely and is not related to the extent of the disease. A woman can have very small or few implants and have severe pain, while those with extensive Endometriosis may have very few signs and not suffer much pain. There is no logic as to how severe the pain of Endometriosis will be, but on the whole this disease causes a lot of pain for most women.


Research into the pain of Endometriosis has found it may be due to nerve pain - read here for more details

Help with managing your pain

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

These are a class of drugs which are designed to relieve pain as well as reduce inflammation. These drugs may vary in degrees of analgesic versus anti-inflammatory activity. This means that one drug may have a great deal of anti-inflammatory but little in the way of pain reduction, whereas another drug may primarily be a painkiller with little ability to reduce inflammation.

There are many versions of these drugs which are available both by prescription and over the counter. Aspirin is a common NSAID; others include ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, all of which are sold under a trade name, so ask your pharmacist for advice. These drugs block the prostaglandins which are inflammatory factors strongly associated with Endometriosis and which increase uterine contractions and cause cramping and pain.

Please note: Drugs containing codeine should not generally be used for Endometriosis pain management. They can cause pelvic congestion and constipation, which could exacerbate symptoms.

GnRh Agonists

The GnRH class of drugs are becoming more widely used as means to control the pain of Endometriosis. GnRH stands for Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. These are one of the drugs which are regularly prescribed for the actual treatment of Endometriosis. They alter the natural hormone levels of the body and they chemically induce a state of menopause. This is to provide time for the Endometriosis implants to shrink, as they are not being fed by the natural cycle of hormones, namely estrogen.

This method of treatment appears to be relatively effective for some women in helping to relieve the pain as well as temporarily working to shrink the disease implants. But these drugs do have many side-effects, and will affect women differently. For more information see Treatment of Endometriosis

These drugs are only approved for use for six months of treatment. This is due to the possibility of loss of bone mass, which is supposed to be recovered after discontinuing treatment with these drugs. The option to stop bone loss during drug treatment is to give additional hormone therapy called 'Add-Back' therapy.

Supplements for Pain Relief

Many women have found that various natural remedies help with their pain, which are safe. These may include vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs and diet changes.

Evening Primrose oil has had good results for many women both for Endometriosis and PMS. It contains a polyunsaturated fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid, which seems to block the releases of cytokines and prostaglandins, substances that are manufactured by the endometrium and are involved in uterine muscle contraction and cramping. Foods that contain gamma linolenic acid are black currant oil and cold-water fish.

There are many changes you can make in your diet that will improve symptoms and in turn will improve the pain. This includes an array of supplements and herbs which will help to cleans your system, boost your immune system, increase your energy and improve your overall health. For Lots more advice and tips on supplements, vitamins, healing and the immune system read further

Alternative Treatments for Pain

T.E.N.S for pain relief

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a drug-free method of pain relief that has been used to treat a wide variety of muscle and joint problems, as well as many other painful conditions. TENS uses electrical impulses to stimulate the nerve endings at or near the site of pain, diminishing the pain and replacing it with a tingling or massage-like sensation.

TENS can be used in a health-care setting, but most often people use it at home, by purchasing their own equipment. It is a safe, non invasive, drug-free medically proven method of pain management.

The symptoms of pain and its psychological effects can be helped by complementary approaches.

Massage

Studies have shown that massage can alleviate muscle pain and tissue-injury pain. The considerable psychological effects of massage may also be useful for persistent pain.

Aromatherapy

Some essential oils are said to stimulate endorphin production and, when used with massage, to encourage relaxation. The stress and anxiety caused by long-term pain, can cause the muscles to become tense. This may accentuate the perception of pain, creating a self-perpetuating downward spiral. So the use of aromatherapy can help to break the cycle caused by long-term pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is said to work partly by stimulating the release of endorphins and prostaglandin-suppressing corticosteroid hormones. The insertion of needles in appropriate acupoints may also help relieve anxiety and depression associated with persistent pain.

Yoga and pain management

Yoga is believed to reduce pain by helping the brain's pain center regulate the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of natural painkillers in the body. Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain. Because muscles tend to relax when you exhale, lengthening the time of exhalation can help produce relaxation and reduce tension. Awareness of breathing helps to achieve calmer, slower respiration and aid in relaxation and pain management.

Yoga's inclusion of relaxation techniques and meditation can also help reduce pain. Part of the effectiveness of yoga in reducing pain is due to its focus on self-awareness. This self-awareness can have a protective effect and allow for early preventive action

Menastil

This is quite a new product to come on the market, which is produced for the relief of menstrual cramps. Menastil is the trade name for this product, which is receiving a lot of good feed-back for the relief of pain associated with Endometriosis.

Menastil is topically-applied (applied to the skin), using a roll-on applicator. Many women have noted how fast and effective it is at relieving their pain and cramps. It is a homeopathic preparation and is available without prescription. The active ingredient is Calendula oil, which is effective as a topical analgesic and for pain relief.

Menastil works by inhibiting the pain signals as they travel from one nerve cell to another. The junction, where these nerve cells connect with each other, is called a synapse. When applied topically, at the location of the pain, Menastil causes the endings of the nerve cells to retreat from each other and retract towards the cell body. This results in a reduction of the intensity of these impulses traveling to the brain and therefore a lessening in the amount of discomfort that is being registered by the brain.

DLPA

Endorphins are nature’s pain killers. DL-Phenylealanine (DLPA) does not actually block the pain itself. It works instead by protecting the body’s naturally produced pain killing endorphins (the body’s morphine), effectively extending their life span in the nervous system. It slows the activity of "enzyme chewing" enzymes which destroy endorphins thereby giving them more time to act on areas of pain.

It helps the body to heal itself and working through the brain DLPA can also relieve some of the symptoms of other diseases. It is a powerful antidepressant and in clinical studies has been proven to be as effective as commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs - without the drugs’ side effects. DLPA can also relieve symptoms of PMS and has had great success with deal with the pain of Endometriosis.

Arnica Gel and Cream

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy, taken internally and used for bruises, wounds, sprains, injury, as well as for tiredness after prolonged exertion. Arnica is also used in a skin preparation for the above, and is effective for pain relief. You could experiment with both.

MSM for pain relief

MSM supplement for pain relief and aid healing - Methyl Sulphonyl Methane is the full name of this natural compound. The common name for this compound is Sulphur.

MSM can help relieve pain in a variety of ways. It blocks pain messages that travel to the brain along nonmyelinated nerve fiber called C fibers. This results in relief of the deep aching pain that is characteristic of chronic conditions like Endometriosis.

But MSM alleviates pain in other ways as well. It reduces the swelling and heat associated with inflammation, which in turn, relieves pressure on surrounding nerves and other tissues. It also relieves muscle spasm.

MSM goes beyond mere pain relief to actually support healing of injured tissues by increasing blood flow. It also alters the cross-linkages of collagen, reducing scar tissue to promote range of motion and flexibility

Exercise

Probably the last thing on a woman’s mind regarding help with her pain is to do exercise, but it does help. This happens because when we exercise the body produces chemicals in the brain called endorphins. Endorphins actually bring pain relief and they will surge round the body, thereby easing the pain of Endometriosis. The compounds found in endorphins are of similar structure and mimic the effects of morphine, a powerful narcotic pain reliever. Ten minutes of moderate exercise is all the body needs to start producing these safe pain relievers.

For some women exercise may be too painful at times. Low impact activities may help these women. These include swimming, walking and yoga. Taking some form of exercise will help to relieve stress and tension and may reduce estrogen levels in the body.

Releif of Endometriosis pain with the EndoFEMM pad

Testimonial from www.endometriosis.org:

EndoFEMM™ - a potential solution to endometriosis pain

EndoFEMM™ is a unique product, which molds to a person's body when heated or cooled, and provides temporary natural relief for the discomfort of chronic pelvic pain caused by adhesions, endometriosis, IBS, IC, menstrual cramps, and vulvodynia.

Remember the "rice pillow"? Here's the sophisticated alternative, using corn (noted for its superior heat retention), which allows you to move around whilst reducing the discomfort of pain.

EndoFEMM™ was invented by a woman with endometriosis, and provides a non-toxic, non-invasive solution for chronic pelvic pain in the shape of a "pad", which can be either heated or cooled for instant therapeutic relief.

EndoFEMM™'s unique shape molds itself to a person's body, and seven separate sections provides an even distribution to the body when heated or cooled. Its fleece fabric provides a soft barrier to reduce any "stinging" sensation associated with cooling, and provides superior warmth when heated.

Not only is the pad super soft against the skin, the natural hot/cold therapy radiates throughout the entire pelvic region bringing instant relief! For those who prefer a higher concentration of heat, try the “Extreme Heat” version using soft denim to hold heat longer and HOTTER.

EndoFEMM™ has several unique features including a "kick stand" which holds the pad upright when sitting and also serves as a stabiliser for the overall shape. In other words: you don't have to lie down whilst wearing the pad - you can sit, work, drive and walk around going about your daily chores, whilst receiving instant comfort from the pad.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

There are other natural pain relief measures you can take to help with the pain of Endometriosis. For more information see

Diet and Nutrition for Endometriosis - diet changes can help significantly with pain of Endometriosis

Total support for healing - a comprehensive guide with lots of self-help measures


Endo-resolved home