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Endometriosis is a mysterious
but increasingly common
condition. The tissue
that forms the lining of the uterus, the
endometrial lining, would normally grow inside
the uterus and be expelled during your period
each month. With endometriosis though this
tissue will grow in other areas of the
pelvis, such as in the pelvic organs, on the
pelvic side walls and even on the
bowel.
Endometriosis
Pain? Stop It
Now
Women are
particularly prone to conditions as such
and fibroids when they are at a particular
stressful time in their lives. It is a
well known fact that stress and emotional
distress are a major factor in the lives
of women who suffer from this
condition.
In the past
endometriosis was known as 'the career women’s
disease' as many thought it related to women
leaving it late to have their children but
studies have shown there is no difference
between the number of cases between women who
have had children and those who
haven't.
Classic symptoms
are pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual cycles and
infertility although these symptoms vary
greatly from one woman to another. Some women
with advanced endometriosis never have any
symptoms while others with minimal
endometriosis have debilitating pain and cramps
continuously.
Rarer symptoms
include painful intercourse, spotting between
periods, rectal pressure and pain with bowel
movements, especially before a
period.
The only way to
definitively diagnose endometriosis is through
a laparoscopy although it can occasionally be
caught via pelvic examination. A Laparoscopy is
a outpatient procedure that allow doctors to
look into the pelvis without major
surgery.
The most common
treatment once diagnosed is hormonal therapy,
in the form of birth control pills or synthetic
progestogens. These therapies change the amount
of oestrogen and other hormones in your system,
decreasing hormone levels and usually bringing
the condition to a stand still. In some cases
surgery will be required or deemed easier in
the long term.
There are some
dietary methods that can be used to reduce
oestrogen production that can lead to the
management of endometriosis in some people. A
good supply of essential fatty acids daily -
eliminating meat and dairy foods and avoiding
where possible hydrogenated oils including
margarine.
Other foods that
modulate oestrogen levels include, broccoli,
cabbage and turnips. Soya foods and a diet high
in fibre will also help.
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