- Author: Melanie Dell’Oro
Disclaimer: We focus on the gynecological aspect of endometriosis. If you are an individual without a uterus and suffer from similar symptoms, please consult specialized doctors.
Although endometriosis affects approximately 8–15% of menstruating people, this condition is still unknown to many people and is often diagnosed only after a long odyssey, on average 10 years after the onset of the first symptoms. For this reason, in the article “Endometriosis: A Portrait,” we have compiled a lot of information about the condition for you. In this article, we would like to take a more detailed look at the treatment options for endometriosis. This is because, in addition to a variety of medical treatment approaches, there are also many dietary and lifestyle factors that can have a positive effect on endometriosis. And—of course—holistic therapy—we love it!
What can your doctor do for you?
Medication
To relieve acute endometriosis symptoms, many people regularly use anti-inflammatory painkillers. These reduce pain and can also reduce inflammation in the endometriosis lesions. To reduce the recurrence of symptoms, anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors can be used. However, you should be cautious when starting high-dose painkillers, as they can have long-term liver-damaging effects and can also lead to dependence and, above all, tolerance. And then, unfortunately, they become less and less effective.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy aims to lower estrogen levels. Progestins (e.g., progesterone) or the birth control pill are used for this purpose. GnRH analogues, which ensure that less estrogen is produced, are also prescribed for short-term use. In addition to the known side effects of synthetic hormones, the risk of osteoporosis is greatly increased with GnRH analogues, for example. Your gynecologist will therefore carefully weigh which treatment option is right for you.
Surgery
Endometriosis lesions in the abdominal cavity can be removed using laparoscopy. This is a relatively minor procedure, but it should always be performed by endometriosis specialists. Then the procedure has good prospects, especially if you want to have children. However, there is no guarantee of success, and recurrences are not uncommon.
Phytotherapy
Depending on the severity and type of endometriosis, many gynecologists also like to use herbal remedies as a complementary treatment. Goals such as pregnancy, pain reduction, or balancing the hormonal system can be supported with plants used in women's health, such as red clover, plantain, saw palmetto, black cohosh, red raspberry leaf, or mugwort. The dietary supplement Pycnogenol is currently being discussed. This is an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). It has been shown in—so far only a few—studies to reduce endometriosis symptoms. Although the data are limited, it may be worth a try. There is better data on the use of medical cannabis with the active ingredients THC and CBD. You can get advice from specialized doctors about this.
Physiotherapy
To make the connection to a holistic approach directly, you can discuss at your next gynecology appointment whether it is possible to prescribe a few physiotherapy sessions for you. Physiotherapists can show you exactly which exercises you can do to strengthen your muscles and, above all, avoid compensatory postures that can cause additional pain from tension.
What can you do for yourself?
The good news: Completely independently of doctor visits, you can do a lot for yourself to relieve your symptoms. In fact, these measures in the areas of diet, lifestyle, and physical activity should absolutely support your potential medication therapy. This is how you take care of your overall health in a sustainable way.
Physical activity
Regular exercise and moderate endurance sports have the great side effect of increasing your resilience and thus raising your pain threshold. Exercise can also trigger the release of endorphins, which have a pain-relieving effect.
Relaxation and mindfulness
It is understandable that you don't feel like jogging during your period when you are in pain. Instead, gentle movement techniques such as yoga, tai chi, or autogenic training may be right for you. These also have a relaxing effect and, like regular mindfulness and meditation exercises, lower the body's stress response and lead to greater self-efficacy, self-acceptance, and resilience. This improves your overall quality of life.
Self-help groups
For many people with endometriosis, the condition is accompanied by major restrictions on their quality of life and daily life. It can help to exchange ideas with other affected people, open up new viewpoints and perspectives, or simply vent without restraint. An overview of self-help groups is offered, for example, by the Endometriosis Association.
Lifestyle
One of the most important and earliest steps: quit smoking or at least reduce it! Many studies show that cigarette consumption has a negative effect on inflammation, pain perception, the duration and intensity of symptoms, and overall disease risk.
You should also reconsider your alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases the risk of estrogen-related diseases and is a cellular toxin that increases inflammation in the body.
No direct link between caffeine and endometriosis risk has been found—good news. Unfortunately, coffee can worsen symptoms in some affected people. So you need to see how you feel about coffee consumption. In principle, however, we want to remind you that caffeine is a stressor that tricks your body into thinking it is under stress, triggers the release of stress hormones, and thus can contribute to stress-induced adrenal exhaustion with excessive and long-term consumption.
Diet
Since it is generally recognized that diet has an important influence on a wide range of diseases, chronic conditions are also always carefully examined to see whether and what effect diet has on the condition.
Regarding endometriosis, there is agreement that a tailored diet can help improve well-being and thus reduce symptoms. Some nutrients are suspected of at least increasing the risk of developing endometriosis and the intensity of pain.
Generally, a plant-based diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in sugar and animal fats, is highly recommended.
