Hot Water Bottle

A simple self-help remedy which is popular and easy to use when dealing with pain caused by endometriosis.  A hot water bottle placed on the abdomen can help ease the pain and  cramps of endometriosis as well as the pain with your periods.  Low back pain is another common symptom and a hot water placed in the small of your back will help relax tight muscles and relieve the tension and pain.

Sometimes a hot water bottle place on the abdomen as you lie in bed can be relaxing and can help prepare you for sleep. Just be sure to remove the bottle before your drop off. Applying a mix of soothing, muscle relaxing essentials mixed with a carrier oil over your belly and then lie down with hot water bottle can help reduce your symptoms of abdominal pain.

Heating Pads

These have similar benefits to  a hot water bottle in helping to relieve pain.  Reports say they are very good at reducing pain quickly.  There are two types of heating pads - electric infrared pads and natural pads or bags that are filled with rice which you heat up in the microwave. 

Some manufacturers make the natural microwave pads that  you can fasten to your body by wrapping round and fastening with velco.  These are great if you want to keep moving around and want something to help with your period pains.  The electric heating pads are more convenient to use in the evening when you are able to sit down and relax.

Heat pads soothe endometriosis pain by relaxing tight pelvic and abdominal muscles, boosting blood flow, and easing cramping spasms. They offer steady, adjustable warmth, but look for models with an automatic shut-off safety feature.

TENS Machine

A Tens machine is designed specifically to help with body pain.  It uses small electric pulses to calm the nerve stimulus in the muscles and in turn it numbs the pain responses.  These little machine are easy to use and can be clipped into your waistband when in use. 

The sticky pads can be used on most areas of the body except the head.  It is quite safe to use TENS for many hours without causing problems.  They are powered by batteries so it is a good idea to get rechargeable batteries, with a spare to use when the other is being recharged.

While helpful for simple period cramps, its effect on complex endometriosis pain varies, offering a safe, drug-free option that many find eases daily flare-ups.

Castor oil packs

Castor oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may help reduce cramping, pelvic discomfort, and low back pain.

Castor oil packs are a traditional self-help remedy where organic oil is applied on a cloth to the lower belly with the addition of a heat source like a hot water bottle to ease muscle tension and pain. Many find that the warmth and rest provide gentle comfort during pain flare-ups. Castor oil packs may also help with constipation. Avoid using when you have your period.

These are great to use to relieve pain and they can also help with inflammation, digestive upset, help detox the liver and can calm the central nervous system.  They may seem a bit fiddly at first but once you get used to them, it is a nice treatment to give your body much need support and can help with detox.  You can read more about castor oil packs and how they can help endometriosis HERE 

Essential oils

Using aromatherapy with the use of essential oils has many health benefits.  Different oils provide different health benefits.  Marjoram and peppermint oils are especially good for pain, and peppermint oil has analgesic properties.  Chamomile oil also helps with pain and has inflammatory properties as well as having calming effects on the central nervous system.

Lavender is undoubtedly one of the most popular and well-known essential oils for pain relief. Natural treatments using lavender have been used for centuries to relieve migraines and headaches. Lavender contains compounds that act as a mild sedative which reduces stress and anxiety. Massaging lavender oil helps to relieve menstrual cramps when massaged into the abdominal area.

Unlike other essential oils which should be mixed with a carrier oil before using on the skin, lavender oil is mild enough to be placed directly on small areas of the skin without being diluted.  You can read more about essential oils to help with endometriosis HERE 

Yoga

Yoga helps manage endometriosis pain by relaxing tight pelvic floor muscles, boosting blood flow to the reproductive organs, and calming the nervous system. Yoga also improves circulation which increases blood and lymph flow to stagnant pelvic areas.

Yoga can help lowers inflammation and reduced stress levels which help to reduce flare-up triggers. Additionally it calms the nervous system which shifts the body out of a "fight-or-flight" stress response and into rest-and-digest mode.

Many have found relief from the pain of endometriosis with the help of yoga.  Yoga is an ancient mind-body exercise that combines breath control, meditation, and movements to stretch and strengthen muscles.

There are various poses and guidance can be found online for the more simple poses.  Yoga helps with posture and can aid relaxation. Try joining a local yoga class to get some guidance and advice. You will also find some great youtube yoga videos that can help you get started.

Meditation

Meditation helps manage endometriosis pain by lowering stress hormones like cortisol, calming the nervous system and altering brain activity to change how you perceive discomfort. It is interesting to note that meditation can lower inflammation by reduced stress-induced chemicals that aggravate chronic pain cycles.

This is an ancient practise that has many benefits to help calm and centre the body and mind.  Focused meditation is known to help with pain by inducing deep relaxation.  Meditation can help with anxiety, tension, lowers blood pressure and can help with problems with sleep.  You can find many guided meditations available on YouTube that will help guide you and help you relax.

There are beginner friendly apps for meditation you can download for free.

CBD Oil

CBD oil may help manage endometriosis pain by reducing localized inflammation, altering pain perception, and calming pelvic muscle spasms.

The compound of CBD helps relax the smooth pelvic muscles, which can significantly reduce the severity of painful menstrual cramps and "endo flares". Early animal-model studies suggest that CBD's anti-angiogenic properties might inhibit the blood supply to ectopic tissue, potentially restricting lesion growth or shrinking existing implants.

Clinical surveys highlight that oral CBD formulas are highly effective at relieving "endo belly," bloating, nausea, and general digestive tract discomfort.

This oil is gaining popularity not only for pain, but also for anxiety, depression, skin ailments and has even been noted as helping with cancer.  The oil can be purchased in various strengths and is taken sub-lingual. 

You can also purchase CBD as a skin balm which can be rubbed into areas of pain or discomfort.  Some endometriosis sufferers are reporting great benefits from CBD oil to help with their pain as well as anxiety and insomnia.