Endometriosis Pain

Reducing Pain When You have Endometriosis – A Multi disciplinary Approach

Sophie Monk has recently been diagnosed with it. Emma the Wiggle has it – Mel Greig too. There is increasing publicity and awareness around Endometriosis. So, when treating it, can a naturopath can be part of your team to help you feel better and reduce pain.
Naturopath Andrea Strand at Vibe Natural Health in Brisbane explains new research into endometriosis treatments and what could be the hidden drivers of your endometriosis pain.

Firstly, let me start by saying that it’s important to work with a number of healthcare professionals and your gynaecologist should be number one.

But a Naturopath may be able to help you by reducing the inflammation and pain associated with this debilitating condition, improving your quality of life and fertility.

In the last few years, much research has been done on the pathophysiology of endometriosis and while there are still A LOT of unanswered questions, some have been answered! And that’s where a naturopath may help to fit into the picture to help reduce the pain of endometriosis.

Myth: Endometriosis is an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone.

This used to be the way of thinking and while an oestrogen and progesterone imbalance is part of the issue, we now know that it’s not the whole issue. Your immune system plays a role in endometriosis. A 2017 study showed that more inflammatory markers (called cytokines) have been found in the peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis, compared to those who didn’t have endometriosis. (Jørgensen et al., 2017) This is where a naturopath can play a role. By supporting the body’s immune system and helping to reduce inflammation, pain may be managed a lot better.

It is thought that Vascular Endothelial Grown Factor (VEGF), may be higher in women with endometriosis. VEGF is associated with increased blood vessel/vascular permeability (Bates, 2010). Certain nutrients such a those from green tea and lycopene from tomatoes may help to reduce VEGF.

There are still many unanswered questions about endometriosis. And while there are gaps in our knowledge being filled, a multi-disciplinary approach is best, because at the end of the day, it’s about getting women out of pain and giving them back they quality of life they deserve.