| |
Endometriosis
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.
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. |
|
|
|
