Four Best Ways to Support Endometriosis
Address the known root causes of endometriosis and find relief
I thought I knew what endometriosis was until I watched one of my best friends basically crawl her way through a girls trip.
Seeing someone I loved literally doubled over in pain as we went wine tasting from vineyard to vineyard all weekend made me realize my textbooks had missed a very important detail.
For most women, endo is a debilitating disease that is life altering. I will never forget watching her push through and try to minimize that she was obviously in incredible pain. Maybe for our sake. Maybe not to ruin the trip. But the fact that she had to push through and survive just to fight another day is insane to me; that that was her life. I thought my cramps were bad, but this was mind bending.
A little background
Endometrial cells that are traditionally found in the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) migrate to other parts of the body. These cells implant on the ovaries (now called endometrioma) or fallopian tubes or even in the pelvic and abdominal cavity forming growths called lesions.
The cause of why the endometrial cells migrate is thought to be due to retrograde menstruation. In this theory, blood flows backwards or up into the body instead of down and out. However, not all women who experience retrograde menstruation develop endometriosis. So research has focused on what makes some women different.
The progression of the disease is most likely from certain molecules that tell the wandering cells to “stick” where they don’t belong (adhesion molecules). Once these endometrial cells are found to be out of place some of the pain and discomfort comes from the body trying to attack and remove the endo cells.
Furthermore, the misplaced cells are responsive to estrogen, which is beneficial if they are in the uterus. Outside of endometriosis, these cells are programed to proliferate as estrogen levels rise in the first half of the menstrual cycle. This is part of the process that prepares the body for the implantation of a fertilized egg and to support a possible pregnancy…when in the uterus.
In endometriosis, this same programming cause the growth of painful, inflammatory lesions sometimes found as high as the diaphragm and lung.
Associations and Considerations
Estrogen dominance:
High levels of estrogen and its metabolites (broken down components) are known to drive or promote growth of endometriosis. Specifically, a form of E1 (estrone) called 16-OH-E1. Depending on various factors of nutrition and lifestyle, E1 may begin to favor the harmful 16-OH-E1 form and convert more often to this metabolite instead healthier formations.
Environmental issues:
These high levels of estrogen of excess estrogen can be from toxic exposures and estrogen mimics in the environment. Endocrine, or hormone disruptors found in plastic, non-stick pans, even the fragrance of our personal care and feminine products can all disrupt the behavior and natural balance of estrogen in our body.
Liver health:
Certain pathways in liver function detoxify unhealthy levels of estrogen. Issues with liver function can disrupt the levels of (bad) estrogen preventing proper processing and deactivation to safer, inactive forms for excretion.
Inflammation and the immune system:
There is an increase in inflammatory markers (signaling imbalance in the body) and low levels of immune cells needed to attack and destroy foreign cells. This affects the way the body handles endometrial cells when they transplant in a foreign location in the body.
Gut health and microbiome:
Inflammation is linked to poor gut health. Healthy gut function is needed to reduce reabsorption of estrogen and allow it to be removed in stool and urine. Furthermore, a disruption in the good and bad bacteria is shown to be associated with endometriosis. Research has found that women with endo have different microorganisms than women without. High levels of harmful bacteria contribute to high estrogen levels because they specifically convert estrogen back to its active form before it can be excreted.
What it means
Endometriosis is not a disease that lives in the pages of my textbooks. It’s a roaring fire raging in the lives of over 6 million women in the US alone. It can take nearly 7 years, or up to 10 in some cases, for a woman to be appropriately diagnosed with endometriosis no matter the number of days they have called off of work, soaked through pad after pad, or suffered in pain waiting for it to all be over.
Four natural solutions to support endometriosis:
Find a probiotic with high strain variety to rebalance the gut bacteria and lower estrogen conversion. Seed offers a prebiotic, probiotic in one. (Use my affiliate link and enter ERICKA15 at checkout for 15% off). Or find a preferred brand in Moon Catching’s Wellness Store.
Support healthy liver detoxification with herbal teas like milk thistle and dandelion root. Include fruits and vegetables rich in B vitamins especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Find a B complex supplement with supportive vitamins
Reduce intake of inflammatory foods like excessive sugar and fried foods. Enjoy anti inflammatory foods like ginger and salmon. One of my favorite restaurants, True Food Kitchen, has built their entire menu on the anti inflammatory diet. And it’s delicious (try the miso sweet potatoes!).
Test your hormones to uncover how your body converts estrogen and how much is converted to the harmful form that supports endometriosis growth. Use this info to know which pathway needs more support and focus your attention there to shift your estrogen metabolism away from pathways that promote the endo.
Some women have found relief and support from natural means. Others have used natural solutions to reduce the risk of recurrence post surgical removal of endometriosis lesions.
Lifestyle, mental stress, and nutrition are significant factors that change and modify the body’s ability to function and recover from negative influences. Endometriosis can be managed if you address the root cause.
Take care of mind body and soul.
xx and baby dust,
Ericka
