Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. Before 1921, there were only 20 cases of endometriosis described in the medical literature. Today, the condition affects millions of women worldwide, and is a major cause of infertility.
The rapid increase in incidence is partly due to an increase in detection and diagnosis, but most experts agree that the actual rate has increased substantially since the 1940's.
Why is it so common now?
Endometriosis is the result of damage by environmental toxins to the hormone system and immune system. This has been demonstrated by experiements in which endometriosis was induced in laboratory animals by minute exposures to PCB's and dioxins. (1,2) The results have been confirmed by subsequent experiments, and in one recent study, the researchers were able to produce endometriosis with dioxin-contaminated food, exactly at the dose that humans are exposed to in our normal food supply.(3)
Some research suggests that endometriosis is an Autoimmune disease. That is, a condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissue.
How is it treated?
The good news is that endometriosis responds very well to natural treatment:
- Anti-inflammatory diet: This includes vegetables and protein. Healthy fats like fish, avocado and coconut milk. Avoid sugar, refined flour, and food additives.
- Anti-inflammatory supplements such as: Magnesium, turmeric, bupleurum, and fish oil.
- Avoid cow's milk. The protein casein in cow's milk disrupts immune function. This factor is very strong in endometriosis: Clinically, most cases improve when cow's milk products are removed from the diet.
- Avoid environmental toxins including: pesticides (fly sprays), microwaving in plastic. Filter your water. Eat organic when you can.
- Nutrients that assist with detoxification of oestrogen and environmental toxins: vitamin B6, selenium, turmeric and methionine.
- Progesterone cream or pessaries. Progesterone is anti-inflammatory, and reduces the stimulatory effect of oestrogen on the condition.
- Physical treatment such as acupuncture, Bowen therapy, massage, yoga.
- Castor oil packs (castor oil applied to the lower abdominal skin with heat). Stimulates lymphatic drainage, and reduces adhesions.
- If endometriosis is severe, surgery may be necessary and can improve fertility outcomes.
- Reduce stress to normalise female hormones.
I strongly recommend against gonadotropin inhibiting drugs, which treat endometriosis by inducing a temporary artificial menopause. These drugs interfere with pituitary function, and the effect can be observed even many years after stopping the drug. Women who have used this drug in the past are more likely to have difficult and unsuccessful IVF cycles.
Appointments at Sensible-Alternative
For professional advice regarding endometriosis, please call to make an appointment...
Sensible-Alternative Hormone Clinic
Suite 1, Berry Rd Medical Centre
1A Berry Rd, St Leonards NSW.
phone: 02 9438 3448.
For email, see contact page.
References
- 1. Mayani, A et al. Dioxin concentration in women with endometriosis. Human Reprod. 1997, 12: 373-5 20.
- 2. Rier, Set al. Endometriosis in rhesus monkeys following chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 1993. 21:433-441
- 3. Rier, SE, et al.. Serum levels of TCDD and dioxin-like chemicals in rhesus monkeys chronically exposed to dioxin: correlation of increased serum PCB levels with endometriosis. Toxicological Sciences 2001. 59:147-159
