Could It Be Endometriosis?
Did you know that endometriosis is one of the most frequently occurring disorder of the feminine reproductive years, estimated to impact about 10% of American women?
Delicate and powerful, our female bodies go through many wondrous changes throughout life, especially during the reproductive years, when a variety of hormonal processes completely transform young girls into women, offering the exciting and decades-long opportunity to celebrate bringing new lives into the world.
For women, perfect health, well-being, and happiness are closely interconnected with the normal rhythm of our monthly hormonal changes. The smooth operation of this complex system that our feminine bodies are, rests on many legs; it is no wonder that when this natural and predictable pattern is disrupted, we experience stress, confusion, fear, and even self-doubts.
Female reproductive health-related concerns are extremely common, affecting millions of women each year in the US, and many more around the globe. The integrative health approach recognizes that it is important for us to understand and listen to our own bodies, and to discover their unique patterns and traits. This way when unusual changes and disruptions occur, we can be prepared and ready to begin to find our way back to the restoration of our health.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is characterized by abnormal uterine cell growth outside the uterus, causing the development of uterine tissue - endometrium - around the pelvic organs, bowels, and particularly the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometrium naturally responds to the changing hormone levels that occur during menstruation, causing bleeding that -unlike normal menstrual blood- has nowhere to escape from the abdominal cavity, thus it remains trapped within.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Traditional medicine practices are somewhat perplexed by the development of this disease. Various theories exist instead of definite answers, yet it is almost certain that higher than normal levels of the primary female sex hormone, estrogen, are to be blamed for the physiological changes that take place and enabling the appearance of endometriosis.
Some of the most commonly accepted theories are:
Retrograde menstruation
Uterine cell-containing menstrual blood may flow back into the fallopian tubes and pelvis, where the cells attach to the outer layer of the organs, creating endometrial cells outside of the uterus.
Induction theory
Healthy cells that line the uterine cavity convert into abnormal cells due to receiving abnormal hormonal signals. These abnormal cells slowly transform the inside lining of the uterus.
Surgical scar theory
During a pelvic surgery (most often C-section), uterine cells get transferred outside of the uterus, then attach to the incision and later spread around in the pelvic cavity.
Immune system-related complications
Abnormal hormone levels may lead to some women's immune systems causing uterine cells to grow outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis Symptoms
Interestingly, large percentages of women don't experience concerning symptoms in the first stages of disease development. When endometriosis symptoms are present, they can range from mild discomfort to serious problems, yet the severity of symptoms experienced is not an accurate way to determine the progress and degree of the disease.
Symptoms may include:
pelvic, abdominal, and lower back pain, especially right before the start of menstruation
heavy, irregular, or prolonged cycles experienced
painful bowel movements, urination, and sexual intercourse
infertility
chronic fatigue, generalized feeling of discomfort
Integrative Health Treatments for Endometriosis
Since the presence of this disease and endometriosis symptoms are so closely tied to the overabundance of free estrogen in the bloodstream, the primary task of integrative health care is choosing a holistic approach towards rebalancing your hormones. Your integrative medicine doctor should advise you to incorporate new lifestyle solutions that will help to stabilize your estrogen levels, so you can gradually feel better.
Reduction of estrogen can happen by the following integrative medicine methods:
Reducing free-floating estrogen from the bloodstream and decreasing the production of excess estrogen
Since excess estrogen is produced and eliminated through the liver, supporting the liver is critical.
Being on a healthy, plant-based diet, along with regular exercise, supplementation, and stress-relieving support are vitally important.
It is extremely important to understand your body, menstrual cycle, and its typical recurring patterns. When endometriosis symptoms arise, the very best approach you can take is getting in touch with your local integrative medicine doctor so your personalized, custom-tailored treatment may begin without further delay. The key to improvement and healing is being an empowered, educated, and self-aware woman, who takes charge of her health with the help of a highly trained specialist.
AUTHOR
Dr. Payal Bhandari M.D. is one of U.S.'s top leading integrative functional medical physicians and the founder of SF Advanced Health. She combines the best in Eastern and Western Medicine to understand the root causes of diseases and provide patients with personalized treatment plans that quickly deliver effective results. Dr. Bhandari specializes in cell function to understand how the whole body works. Dr. Bhandari received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 1997 and Doctor of Medicine degree in 2001 from West Virginia University. She the completed her Family Medicine residency in 2004 from the University of Massachusetts and joined a family medicine practice in 2005 which was eventually nationally recognized as San Francisco’s 1st patient-centered medical home. To learn more, go to www.sfadvancedhealth.com.