Natural Remedies for Endometriosis By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide Updated July 23, 2007

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis

• Painful periods. Pelvic pain and cramping during menstruation. It may begin before and continue for several days after the onset of your monthly period. The pain can also occur in the lower abdomen or low back. It has even been known to cause shooting nerve pain in the legs, called sciatica.
• Sharp, deep pain during ovulation, sexual intercourse, bowel movements, and/or urination
• Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in between periods
• Fatigue
• Indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
• Infertility. Endometriosis can cause adhesions that trap the egg.

Natural Treatments for Endometriosis

If you are experiencing painful periods or pelvic pain, it's important to see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Here are eight natural treatments that are used for endometriosis.

1) Reduce Chemical Intake

Although earlier studies in women were conflicting, there is increasing evidence that chronic exposure to the environmental chemicals dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is associated with an increased prevalence and severity of endometriosis.

One way to reduce intake of these chemicals is to cut back on animal fat, especially high-fat dairy, red meat, and fish. Dioxin and PCBs both accumulate in animal fat, and it is our main route of exposure.

Interestingly, studies on diet and endometriosis also support this link. For example, an Italian study examined data from 504 women with endometriosis and found an increased risk with a high intake of red meat and ham. Fresh fruit and vegetables were associated with a reduction in risk. 

2) Vegetables and Flaxseeds

There is evidence that a group of plant chemicals called flavones can inhibit aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. Good food sources of flavones are celery and parsley.

Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy, contain compounds called indoles, which appear to improve estrogen metabolism.

Flaxseeds are high in lignans and fiber, which have been found to be beneficial for estrogen-related conditions.

3) Progesterone Cream

Alternative practitioners sometimes recommend progesterone cream. Progesterone is thought to slow the growth of abnormal endometrial tissue. Although it's not considered a cure, it may improve symptoms such as pain during menstrual periods and pelvic pain. There haven't been any studies on progesterone cream for endometriosis, so we don't know for certain about it's effectiveness or safety.

Progesterone cream is derived from either soy or Mexican wild yam. A molecule called diosgenin is extracted in a lab and converted to a molecule that's exactly like human progesterone and added to back to the cream. Some companies sell wild yam cream, but unless it has been converted in a lab it is useless, because the body can't convert wild yam to progesterone on its own.

Natural progesterone cream is applied to the wrists, inner arms, inner thighs, or upper chest at a dose and schedule that should be recommended by a professional. It's important to be supervised and to have progesterone levels monitored on lab tests, because too much progesterone can cause such side effects as mood changes, depression, water retention, weight gain, and absent or abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Natural progesterone cream is available from a compounding pharmacy (the website www.iacprx.org has listings) or at regular drug stores.

4) Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. They are also available in fish oil capsules, which may be the preferable form because good brands contain minimal amounts of PCBs and dioxins.

Several studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with endometriosis. For example, an animal study by the University of Western Ontario found that fish oil containing two specific compounds, EPA and DHA, can relieve pain by decreasing levels of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E2. Researchers also found that fish oil could slow the growth of endometrial tissue.

After your Myomectomy - helping you recover

I found this interesting article, wished I had found it sooner but I guess it is still not to late. I hope it help those of you who had just done your myomectomy and need some extra help. After an operation, bed rest and inactivity can increase your risk of chest infection and blood clots in your legs. These can be avoided if you follow the instructions below.

Immediately after your operation

To reduce risks of complications, it is important that you:

Take big deep breaths Move your feet and legs Get moving as soon as possible.

Take big deep breaths

Once you are awake, take five big deep breaths and hold them in for three seconds. Repeat this every hour. If you feel something in your throat or you feel a bit chesty, firmly support your tummy with your hands or a pillow and do a strong outward huff. If the huff doesn’t help, try a gentle cough.

Move your feet and legs

Move your feet backwards and forwards and in circles. Repeat this at least 20 times every hour.

Getting moving as soon as possible

The most effective way to help your recovery and avoid complications is by sitting out of bed and walking starting on the day after your operation. The day after your surgery, you should aim to sit out of bed twice and walk about 10 metres with your nurse. Each day after you will be able to sit out of bed for longer and walk further and further. Pain from your wound can make moving difficult. Make sure that you let your nurse know how your pain is going so your pain can be managed to allow you to get moving.

Getting in and out of bed

The most comfortable way to get in and out of bed is to log roll. You do this by:

bending both your knees and rolling onto your side, keeping your shoulders in line with your hips as you roll

slide your feet over the side of the bed and push yourself up using both of your hands

to get back into bed do the same thing in reverse.

If you feel discomfort due to abdominal wind or bloating, gently arch and flatten your back against the bed as comfort allows.

At home

To further maximise your recovery, it is important that you:

take care of yourself during the first six weeks after your operation maintain healthy bladder and bowel habits commence pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscle exercises.

Take care of yourself

Make sure you have good posture. Don’t bend over when you are walking around. Stand tall, tuck your bottom in and keep your shoulders back.

Avoid lifting, pushing and pulling tasks and:

limit all activities that require any effort or exertion only do light household duties tighten your deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles before doing anything that requires even minimal effort always lift correctly – tuck your tummy in, bend at you knees and keep your back straight.

Rest (lying down) for at least half an hour (30 minutes) each day.

Walk every day.

Start gently and gradually increase your walking speed and distance each day. Incorporate a 30 minute walk into your permanent lifestyle to improve your general health and well-being. Avoid other strenuous and high impact exercises during this time (such as weights, sit-ups, running etc).

Avoid driving.

You are not allowed to drive for the first few weeks after your operation for safety reasons. Insurance policies will generally not cover you for six weeks following surgery if you are involved in an accident. Check with your doctor to find out when you can return to driving.

Avoid smoking.

Maintain healthy bladder and bowel habits

Healthy bladder habits

Drink between one and a half and two litres of fluid a day. Water is preferable to tea and coffee. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol. Avoid just-in-case visits to the toilet; go only when you need to go. Avoid straining to pass urine and allow your bladder to fully empty.

Healthy bowel habits

Avoid constipation and straining.

Eat plenty of high fibre foods (eg. fruit, vegetables). Drink one and a half to two litres of fluid (preferably water) a day. Get plenty of exercise. On the toilet, sit leaning forward and allow your tummy to bulge and relax. Use a foot stool or lift your heels off the floor so that your knees are above your hips. Don’t hold your breath or strain.

Don’t ignore the urge to use your bowels. Take your time when emptying your bowels.

Pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscle exercises

Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle exercises can be started the day after your operation. Do each of the following exercises at least three times a day. An exercise diary can help you keep track of your exercises and may keep you motivated.

Pelvic floor exercises

Strong pelvic floor muscles

Prevent leakage from your bladder or bowel by keeping the urethra and anus tightly closed. Support pelvic organs when there is downward pressure, during coughing, sneezing, lifting, pushing, pulling activities.

All women should exercise their pelvic floor muscles every day. This is especially important after pelvic surgery.

How to do pelvic floor exercises

Lie on your back or sit tall in a chair so you can feel the seat beneath your pelvic floor. Keep your abdominal, buttock and thigh muscles relaxed and continue to breathe normally.

Exercise 1

‘SQUEEZE & LIFT’ your pelvic floor muscles around your urethra, vagina & anus. Hold for as long as you can building up to 8-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times or until the muscle is tired. Repeat this at least 3 times each day.

Exercise 2

Quickly and strongly ‘SQUEEZE & LIFT’ your pelvic floor muscles. Hold for 1 second then relax. Repeat up to 20 times or until the muscle is tired. Repeat this at least 3 times each day.

As your pelvic floor muscles get stronger, make these exercises more challenging by performing them standing, and then during activities such as lifting and walking.

Remember: Brace your pelvic floor muscles whenever you need to cough, sneeze, laugh or perform effortful tasks to provide extra support during these occasions.

Deep abdominal muscle exercise

Strong deep abdominal muscles maintain good posture and support your back and pelvis. Following abdominal surgery, your tummy muscles are weakened and will need to be re-strengthened.

Lie on your back with knees bent or kneel on your hands and knees.

Breathe in and out; tighten your deep abdominal muscles by gently pulling your lower tummy in toward your spine. Continue breathing normally while keeping your lower tummy tight. Keep your upper abdominal muscles and ribs relaxed. Hold for 3-5 seconds, as you improve hold for up to 60 seconds. Repeat this up to 10 times in a row. Repeat this at least 3 times each day. Once you get the hang of it, this exercise can be done while standing and walking.

Remember: Tighten your deep abdominal muscles during all effortful tasks such as lifting to provide extra support. These exercises are important, make them a part of your daily routine to keep your abdominal muscles strong and supportive for the rest of your life. It is important that you maintain an active lifestyle after your recovery from your operation as physical activity improves your general health and wellbeing. source: http://www.thewomens.org.au/Afteryouroperationhelpingyourecover

No more hot flashes, no more lupron: Was the myomectomy worth it?

I have read a lot of things about lupron injection since my shots. Apart from the hot flashes, what I dreaded the most was the feedback from persons who stated that 2 and 3 months or more after the lupron shot they still did not get a period. I hoped to God that it didn't happened to me and it did not.

After taken my last lucrin  (that's the brand) shot on the 1st  July, I visited the doctor in August and he told me to expect my period at the end of the month. It came the 1st of September. I am sure a lot of women might want to know what a period is like after lucrin/lupron or the removal of fibroid.

First let me say that for the last 4 months, I did not miss my period :). It was great being period free apart from the hot flashes, which were terrible. However, it is back and I am glad because it is an indication that my body is getting back to full function. 

For me, I got some cramping and I was told by the doctor to expect it. Still it is nothing compared to what I had before. I was on ponstan forte then and had to crawl up in so many acrobatic positions for an ease lol. I am back to 2 pads per day and the flow is much, MUCH lighter (thank God). There is minimal to no clotting. I am still bloated, but that was never a problem and I believe it is very much normal. So again, I feel content that I have made the right decision to remove the fibroid. Flatter tummy, lighter flow, less cramps, little to no clot, no frequent urination, a boost in image and confidence are just a few benefits I have gained from my myomectomy and I hope I can give a bigger success story sometime in the near future.