Can Naturopathy Help Manage Endometriosis? 

Endometriosis can severely impact your life, leaving you with crippling pain and an inability to work, socialise, or enjoy your life. Naturopathy can help here, enabling you to manage your endometriosis naturally, providing some comfort and relief while helping you better understand your body. But how does this work? Today, we walk you through how naturopathy can help manage endometriosis, so you can see if it is a suitable option for you. 

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. It is typically found in pelvic tissue, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation, scar tissue, and severe pain, reducing your quality of life and ability to function during flare-ups (which are usually linked to your hormonal cycle). 

Endometriosis can cause different symptoms, with many women experiencing the following: 

• Changes in bowel motions, including constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, and fatigue 
• Heavy periods and bleeding between periods 
• Painful intercourse, including during and after intercourse
• Painful periods, including pain in your lower back, abdomen, and cramping 
• Painful bowel movements and pain while urinating

Endometriosis not only causes severe pain and discomfort, but it can also impact your fertility. This typically happens when the tissue forms on your ovaries or fallopian tubes and can cause the following: 

• Altered egg quality, which impacts implantation
• Imbalanced hormones due to excessive oestrogen
• Inflammation, scarring, or damage to the organs in the pelvic area 
• Fallopian tube obstruction, where endometrial-like tissue attaches to your fallopian tubes, preventing the sperm from fertilising the egg 

To diagnose endometriosis, your symptoms are considered, along with ultrasounds and relevant scans, to identify the additional tissue. A diagnosis through a doctor can take years, and many women will turn to naturopathy to help manage their symptoms, providing more comfort and a deeper understanding of their bodies. 

How Naturopathy Can Help Manage Endometriosis?

Nautropathy can help you manage symptoms of your endometriosis by making simple lifestyle switches. These can help address your symptoms, providing greater comfort and helping you enjoy your life. These lifestyle changes and natural medications can be used in conjunction with other medications, too, helping to improve your quality of life. A naturopath will discuss your specific symptoms and lifestyle in more detail, but you will usually have the following suggestions: 

Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks 

It is often recommended that you avoid the following foods and drinks:

• Caffeine 
• Alcohol
• Sugar
• Refined carbohydrates
• Processed foods
• Trans fatsDeep-friedd foods 

These foods and drinks can cause acidity in the body, which can worsen your inflammation and are best avoided or consumed in small doses. 

Make Changes to Your Diet 

Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods will help support your body in reducing inflammation and protecting against free-radical damage. Women with endometriosis may have lower antioxidant status, and increasing antioxidant levels in the body can reduce pelvic pain and inflammatory markers. Your diet should contain the following to improve your antioxidants and help with inflammation: 

• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Chard 
• Squad
• Kiwi fruit
• Citrus fruits
• Cabbage
• Blueberries
• Cauliflower
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Wheatgerm oil

You should also increase your fibre intake as this will encourage an excretion of excess oestrogen via the bowel. Eating more fibre can also help to regulate your bowel movements. Look to eat more vegetables, whole grains, rice, lentils, beans, and chia seeds. You will also want to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation and pain. Flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and chia seeds are excellent sources of this. 

Read More: The Mindful Eating Revolution: How to Train Your Brain and Transform Your Diet

Switch to Sanitary Pads 

Tampons have been linked to increasing retrograde menstruation, so it’s best to use sanitary pads instead. To ensure your comfort, we recommend using organic cotton sanitary products free of dyes, fragrances, chemicals, and bleaches. You might also consider period pants, which can provide the same comfort while serving as an eco-friendly alternative. 

Try Regular Exercise

It isn’t always possible, depending on your pain levels, but regular exercise may be recommended to help improve the mobility of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are often overactive in women with endometriosis, so these exercises are often recommended. Regular exercise can also help to reduce oestrogen levels. 

Find Your Naturopathic Clinic Today 

These are just some of the ways naturopathy can help manage endometriosis, bringing you more comfort and control in your daily life. The recommendations will vary, and it’s best to speak with an expert directly to create a treatment plan that works for you. Floralia Wellness offers support for endometriosis, with tailored plans to help you manage your symptoms. Speak to them today to learn more about their endometriosis support and see an improvement in your symptoms.