Natural therapies

There are various natural therapies and choosing which one to use depends on personal choice. You need to choose a therapy you feel comfortable with, and you also  need to feel relaxed with the person you will be working with.  If you are concerned about needles then acupuncture may no be for you. Likewise, if you do not like the idea of taking strong herbal remedies then another option may be better.

Whichever natural treatment you choose, they all work to heal the whole body and will help to boost your immune system.

Diet & Nutrition

Diet changes have helped many to improve their health and reduce their symptoms of endometriosis. Everyone is different and you may need to try different approaches to you diet to see what works best for you. Doing an Elimination Diet is a good starting point as you will learn specifically what your trigger foods are that are making your symptoms worse.

There are many stories and testimonies that validate the diet, where it has helped to reduce or eliminate many symptoms, especially the pain and inflammation caused by endometriosis. 

The key focus of the diet is to eliminate inflammatory foods and those foods that aggravate or cause pain.  Additionally using diet will help to reduce the painful cramps and will reduce  estrogen levels which can feed endometriosis. Learning about the effects of prostaglandins in diet will give you an understanding why certain foods affect the symptoms of endometriosis in a very negative way.

You will find an in-depth explanation of using diet to help with endometriosis HERE

Supplements

Dietary supplements can benefit by filling nutritional gaps to support overall health and support immune function. However, supplements should not replace a healthy diet, and in some cases may need guidance from your health care provider to ensure there are no negative reactions to any medication you are using.

Specific supplements may benefit those with endometriosis like selenium which has been found from research to help with inflammation caused by endometriosis. Vitamin D is another very specific supplement that has benefits for endometriosis and it has been found that women who have serious endometriosis tend to have low vitamin D levels.

There are also certain supplements that can help with specific symptoms of endometriosis and serrapeptase is a good example. This list provides brief advice on some of the most helpful supplements that can help.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

NAC is a powerful antioxidant with some interesting data behind it specific to endometriosis. In a 2013 study of ninety-two women in Italy, forty-seven took NAC and forty-two took a placebo. Of those who took 600 mg of NAC three times a day, twenty-four patients cancelled their scheduled laparoscopy due to a decrease or disappearance of endometriosis, improved pain reduction, or because they had become pregnant! You will find a detailed article about using NAC for endometriosis HERE

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), particularly omega-3s, may offer benefits for endometriosis by helping to reduce inflammation. Taking a high-quality fish oil, borage oil, or evening primrose oil will help the body balance its inflammation levels. Some animal studies suggest that omega-3s may suppress the growth of endometrial lesions.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory and helps the body control inflammation and metabolise estrogen.  Supplementing with a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C is shown to be effective in reducing pain related to endometriosis. Clinical trials have found that this antioxidant combination can help alleviate chronic pelvic pain and painful periods.

B-Complex

A good B-Complex can be taken daily to help with energy levels and vitamin B6 can help the body and assist in converting excess estrogen into less potent forms. The B vitamins, particularly B6, are necessary to help convert essential fatty acids into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Without this conversion, your body may produce more "bad" prostaglandins that increase inflammation and pain. 

Magnesium

Magnesium can easily become depleted due to stress. It helps with the cramp-like pain of endometriosis, helps the body assimilate iron which can help prevent anaemia, and is a potent sleep aid. Certain types of magnesium can also help with constipation.

Red Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaf is one of the best herbs to use for women dealing with hormonal issues and imbalances, especially in relation to the menstrual cycle. Its astringent properties help reduce uterine inflammation and pain. Many have found this herb very helpful to reduce menstrual cramps when drunk as a tea.

Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme found in the digestive tract of Japanese silkworms that can break down excess protein in the body like scar tissue. This supplement has proved to be helpful for women with endometriosis and can also help reduce inflammation and may help to reduce endometrial cysts. More details about using serrapeptase HERE

MSM

Methyl Sulphonyl Methane (Sulphur) is a dietary supplement that can help to reduce the pain, inflammation and symptoms of endometriosis.  A great nutritional supplement to reduce inflammation throughout the body - also very good to help with stronger hair. Find more advice about MSM HERE

Omega 3 oils

These are key oils to use to reduce your symptoms of endometriosis. Omega 3 oils help to increase the positive prostaglandins which help to reduce inflammation. The best sources of omega 3 is found in oily fish, walnut oil, anchovies, chia seeds, flax seeds. You can also supplement with a good quality omega 3 oil which comes in various strengths.

Iron

Iron is crucial for the transportation of oxygen around the body and if you have low amounts of iron, you are likely to feel tired more frequently. Also, iron is an important supplement for women with endometriosis, as they tend to have heavy periods and this can lead to low iron levels. You can increase your iron with foods that have high levels of iron like dark leafy greens.

Toxic chemicals

Removing toxic chemicals really does help to reduce the symptoms of endometriosis.

Many of the chemicals found in toiletries and household products produce xenoestrogens which mimic the actions of estrogen in your body. You only have to look at the labels on most of the products found in the home to see that they are laden with chemicals and preservatives.

They also act as endocrine disruptors and cause havoc on your whole hormone system.  You can find more about toxic toiletries and why they cause problems with endometriosis HERE

Castor Oil Packs

These may not seem so obvious but castor oil packs are great for your health and help with pain and inflammation.  You can use a pack on your abdomen to help with the pain and inflammation caused by endometriosis. It is not advised to use castor oil packs while you are menstruating as they can increase blood flow and may increase cramping.

Using a castor oil pack in the evening can help you to relax and a good way to use them is placed over your liver area to help with detoxing your system, and can also calm your central nervous system.  You will find a full description how to do a castor oil pack HERE

Natural Pain Relief

You don't only have to use prescription pain meds to help with your pain.  There are many treatments and supplements that can help with pain and inflammation. 

This includes acupuncture, yoga, Menastil - a product made especially for menstrual pain, Arnica - a homeopathic treatment, and there are various dietary supplements that can really help with pain. The details of many natural pain treatments and supplements is found HERE