Symptoms, Causes, and Home Remedies for Endometriosis

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Endometriosis is often painful. The pain may be
severe during menstrual periods.

Image: The pharmaceutical Journal

Overview

In this article, we shall discuss Symptoms, Causes, and Home Remedies for Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common problem among women worldwide. There is a lining of a tissue called Endometrium inside the uterus of women.

Sometimes tissue similar to endometrium grows outside the uterus. This may grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or intestines. This is a common disorder.

This disorder is called Endometriosis and is often painful. The pain may be severe during menstrual periods. Millions of women are affected by this every year.

As per studies, over 200 million women around the world have this disease.

Hillary Clinton is producing a documentary 'Below the Belt' directed by Shannon Cohn, on women suffering from Endometriosis.

The film describes the stories of several women as they overcome the challenges of living with Endometriosis.

Symptoms of Endometriosis:

The symptoms of Endometriosis are

Unusual lower back pain, chronic pelvic pain or cramps during and before menstrual periods

Excessive bleeding during periods

Pain during intercourse

Abdominal blotting

Pain during urination or bowel movements

Infertility

fatigue, constipation, diarrhea during periods

Anxiety, depression

Causes of Endometriosis:

Friends, the exact cause of Endometriosis is not known. There are some theories regarding the causes of Endometriosis but no one of them has been scientifically proven.

According to the oldest theory, the menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes (see image above) into the pelvic cavity instead of flowing out through the vagina.

Another theory is that after a surgical scar like cesarian delivery, commonly known as C-section the menstrual blood leaks into the pelvic cavity.

Some others blame it on genetics and environmental toxins.

There are some other unverified theories.

Home remedies for Endometriosis:

Please refer to the above video

Endometriosis affects millions of girls and women worldwide.

Its symptoms may be painful and heavy periods or cramps. Pain before, during, and after periods and sexual intercourse. Fatigue, infertility, stress, constipation, and diarrhea.

It is a chronic and painful condition in which endometrium tissue that lines the uterus, starts growing outside the uterus.

Women suffering from Endometriosis should avoid red meat, ham, stress, milk products, and excessive alcohol.

They should increase their intake of ginger tea, fish oil capsules, and green vegetables.

They should do Contrast Sitz Bath- sit in a tub filled with hot water for three minutes then get up and sit in another tub filled with cool water for one minute.

Repeat this process three times. Avoid Sitz Bath during menstrual periods

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, if women are ready to postpone pregnancy, taking continuous contraceptive pills is a better way to manage pain due to Endometriosis.

The effect of pills is reversible when stopped, so future fertility is possible. (This treatment should be done by consulting a doctor).

Women in the reproductive age group must complete their childbearing as early as possible to avoid complications due to Endometriosis.

One thing is good the symptoms of Endometriosis dissipate once you go through menopause.

Soak four tablespoons of Flax seeds in a cup of water at night. Filter in the morning and drink the water.

Boil one tablespoon each of crushed raw turmeric and ginger in a cup of milk, mix two tablespoons of honey and drink at night before going to bed.

The above tips and remedies would help you fight Endometriosis.

Stages of Endometriosis

There are four stages of Endometriosis

Minimal

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Stage 1: Minimal

In minimal Endometriosis, there are small shallow endometrial tissues on ovaries. Due to this, there may be inflammation in or around the pelvic cavity.

Stage 2: Mild

In mild endometriosis, there are light tissues and shallow implants on the ovaries and pelvic lining.

Stage 3: Moderate

In moderate endometriosis, there are deep tissues on the ovaries and pelvic lining.

Stage 4: Severe

In severe Endometriosis, there are more tissues on the ovaries, pelvic lining, fallopian tubes, and bowels. There may also be a cyst on one or both ovaries.

Questions asked by people about Endometriosis:

Q. What is the main cause of endometriosis?

A. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known. There are some theories regarding the causes of endometriosis but no one of them has been scientifically proven.

According to the oldest theory, during periods, the menstrual blood flows back through fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity instead of flowing out through the vagina.

Q. How serious is endometriosis?

A. Though endometriosis is a common problem yet it may be serious if left untreated. It may lead to infertility and other problems like ovarian cysts or PCOS.

Q. How do you know if you have endometriosis?

or What happens if you have endometriosis?

A. If you have endometriosis, you may experience any one or more of the following symptoms:

Unusual lower back pain, chronic pelvic pain, or cramps during and before menstrual periods

Excessive bleeding during periods

Pain during intercourse

Abdominal blotting

Pain during urination or bowel movements

Infertility

fatigue, constipation, diarrhea during periods

Anxiety, depression

Q. Can endometriosis go away?

A. Normally endometriosis doesn't go away but treatment can radically reduce its effect and symptoms.

Q. Can endometriosis be cancerous?

A. Endometriosis is not cancerous but it impacts everyday life badly.

Q. What is Endo's belly?

A. Endo belly is a term used for a belly with pain swelling and bloating associated with endometriosis.

Q. Can endometriosis spread to other organs?

A. Yes, endometrial tissues can spread to ovaries and fallopian tubes, and other organs in the pelvis.

Q. Can endometriosis make you tired?

A. Yes, women suffering from endometriosis may feel tired and fatigued.

Q. How do they remove endometriosis?

A. Endometriosis is removed or burnt by the surgical process of laparoscopy using a laser.

Q. When is surgery needed for endometriosis?

A. Whenever the abdominal pain or other symptoms of endometriosis get severe and affect everyday life badly, there is a need to remove the endometrial tissues.

Q. What happens after endometriosis is removed?

A. The endometriosis is removed by laparoscopy. After the surgery, you may feel tired for a few days. Your doctor may advise you not to drive and not to have sex for two weeks. He may also advise you not to take bath in a tub or not to swim for two weeks.

Q. Can you see endometriosis on ultrasound?

A. You can see large tissues of endometriosis on ultrasound. But tiny pieces of tissue may not be seen on ultrasound but they may exist.

Q. Does endometriosis grow back after surgery?

A. According to research, endometriosis comes back in 20-40% of cases after surgery. The symptoms may be back within a year or two.

If home remedies suit you, it is better to opt for home remedies. Home remedies are harmless and painless. Moreover, you can continue with the remedies to avoid recurrence.

Q. What is a hysterectomy?

A. Hysterectomy is a surgical operation to remove the uterus or a part of the uterus.

Q. What are 3 reasons a hysterectomy is performed?

A. The main reasons for performing a hysterectomy are:

Pelvic pain or other severe symptoms caused due to endometriosis.

Heavy periods caused by fibroids.

Cancer of the womb, ovaries, or cervix.

Q. Is hysterectomy a serious surgery?

A. Yes, a hysterectomy is major surgery. You may have to stay in hospital for 5 days. It takes about 6 to 8 weeks to recover.

Q. Should I get a hysterectomy if I have endometriosis?

A. Hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus. It may relieve symptoms of endometriosis. But the symptoms may recur after surgery unless all the endometrial tissues are removed along with the uterus.

Q. Will removing ovaries stop endometriosis?

A. Removing ovaries may not be a permanent solution to endometriosis. The symptoms may recur within a year or two.

If suitable, you may try home remedies, homeopathy, or other naturopathic treatments for endometriosis.

Q. Can endometriosis spread to the bladder?

A. Endometriosis may spread to the bladder at the time of some pelvic surgery like cesarian delivery or hysterectomy.

Q. Can endometriosis spread to your stomach?

A. Yes, endometriosis may spread to the stomach and cause a gastrointestinal problem.

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