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.
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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)
Is it an autoimmune disease?
Some research suggests that endometriosis is an Autoimmune disease. That is, a condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissue. The result is inflammation.
Inflammation of endometriosis may lead to cancer
Certainly, inflammation is a key feature of endometriosis. This manifests in pain. It also appears to interfere with fertility.
The inflammation has other risks. Endometriosis sufferers may have an increased risk for certain cancers including ovarian, breast and lymphoma. This conclusion is based on a number of studies and was presented at a symposium of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. (4) According to Dr Louise Brinton from the National Cancer Institute, "women whose site of origin of endometriosis was the ovary ... had a particularly high risk for ovarian cancer."
The reason is not fully understood, but may linked to the oestrogen and inflammatory cytokines produced by endometriosis lesions. Both factors are known to promote cancer.
Dr Brinton advises endometriosis sufferers not to become overly anxious. "Even though we see a 2- to 3-fold increase in the risk for ovarian cancer, it's still a very rare condition," she said. "The absolute risk is low."
How can it be treated?
It is critcal to address the inflammatory aspect of endometriosis, and natural treatments can do just that. The following natural anti-inflammatories reduce pain, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and may therefore reduce the cancer risk associated with endometriosis.
- 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 make an appointment with one of our Naturopaths.
Locations in Crowsnest Pass, Canada and Sydney, Australia.
1) Dr Lara Grinevitch - Crowsnest Pass, Canada
Lara sees patients on Mondays.
Phone Crowsnest Clinic: 1 403 563 3334. (Clinic phone is attended Tuesday-Friday)
Text message or leave a voicemail on Lara's cell: 1 587 880 4436
2) Biljana Koga or Deborah Gibson - Sydney, Australia
Two Sydney locations: Chatswood - Cronulla
One phone number: 02 8011 1994
To email our Sydney head office: click here.
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
- The Link Between Endometriosis and Cancer. Medscape online. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722605. Viewed 8/11/10
