Endometriosis

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I have endometriosis, a stage IV, to be exact. The adhesions are behind my uterus. In my vaginal wall, they stick to my rectum and colon, my left ovary, and my bladder.

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i am dee

Date

09/12/2021

Length

4 min read

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Ahysterectomy is possible, but surgery is not recommended due to the size of the adhesions and the severity of the operation (multiple organs). A hysterectomy can always be chosen if the adhesions continue to grow after menopause. At the moment, I try to keep the quality of my life as good as possible through lifestyle. The worst pains are during menstruation, but I often have pain throughout the month.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.

Integer nec odio.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory, hormonal condition. Just like the uterine lining follows a monthly cycle, the misplaced endometrial tissue (tissue growing outside of the uterus) is also triggered to shed by the hormonal changes that signal your period to start—and it causes this tissue to bleed, as well. This blood is highly irritating to the nerves in the abdomen, causing much of the pain associated with endometriosis.

This bleeding tissue that grows outside of the uterus can result in a lot of pain and can cause scar tissue. This can result in organs (like the intestines and bladder) sticking together, like in my case. It causes bladder and bowel pain, constipation, pain with ovulation, severe menstrual cramping and pain, trouble with conception, chronic pelvic pain, and pain with sex.

The most common symptoms of endometriosis are:

  • Painful periods

  • Chronic or intermittent pelvic pain

  • Pain with sex

  • Bowel problems, especially constipation, diarrhea, bowel pain, or IBS-like symptoms

  • Infertility

  • Ovarian endometrial mass/tumor (affects about 20 percent of people with endometriosis)

  • Pain with urination and other urinary problems

There are many theories, but the exact causes of endometriosis are not known from a medical perspective. They know that it is an inflammatory condition with an abnormal immune response. It can be triggered by cyclic hormonal changes and environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are found in plastics, perfumes, personal care, and household products. They harmfully alter hormone balance and disrupt the immune system and cause inflammation. A poor diet and factors like too little sleep and/or stress can also cause inflammation and disrupt the immune system.

When I was 38 years old, when the doctors, who had told me I would never be able to carry a child in my womb, decided to be wrong, I changed my whole lifestyle. An endometriosis diet has helped me greatly, but I also banned plastic, non-organic cosmetics, and household products from toothpaste to laundry detergent. I noticed then how much influence nutrition had on me; in the end, I was pregnant at 39, and I gave birth to Finn when I was 40 after a anti-inflammatory and low in toxins diet.

I try to be as mindful as possible with the things I eat and the products I use. I still notice a significant physical difference when I stick to a healthy lifestyle. It’s not always easy to constantly take nutrition into account because I live on coffee these days, and caffeine adds to symptoms.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.

Lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.

Integer nec odio.

I have had two laparoscopic viewing operations where there was no tissue to remove due to the location of the adhesions. When I was thirty, a hysterectomy was recommended, which I then, thankfully, very stubbornly declined.

I’ve also had multiple hormone treatments, including several complete shutdowns of the cycle, like putting the body into menopause. I found those treatments physically and mentally terrible to endure.

I’ve found a holistic, body-system-based functional medicine approach to healing the root causes of endometriosis to be the most effective in reducing pain and unhealthy tissue and healing damage.

Nutrition and lifestyle is a long-term, sustainable approach and includes reducing inflammation. Through diet and supplements, you can support healthy hormone levels and improve the body’s natural detoxification processes.When I became aware of the influence I could exert on my endometriosis and therefore enhance my health and possibly my fertility I tried to go as much organic as I could. All meat should be organic to avoid chemicals and hormones used in meat production that might be adding to your problem.

My anti-inflammatory diet:

Includes fish or poultry combined fresh vegetables daily—especially leafy greens like kale, collards, broccoli, brussels sprout. A handful of nuts (especially almonds, walnuts, pecans) daily. Cooked plant-based proteins (legumes especially) daily and cooked whole grain daily.

I removed the most common inflammatory dietary triggers like dairy products, gluten-containing products, all sorts of corn, sugar, and red meat is also provocative.

Caffeine may add to endometriosis symptoms in some women. I still find leaving coffee one of the hardest things to let go. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant-rich alternative if you just must have some caffeine.

Most toxins are in food that comes in soft plastic wrap, food stored or microwaved in plastic, food contaminated with pesticides and herbicides—i.e., many fruits and vegetables and plastic water bottles (even if BPA-free, because we might find that the substitutes are just as problematic!)

All the above approaches helped to keep my blood sugar steady, essential to maintaining inflammation balanced. Also, being overweight can increase the chance of being estrogen-dominant but I was never overweight.

It was a search for what suited me best in terms of nutrition for me and my body. Exercise was and still is, next to food, important. When I wanted to get pregnant, I ran a lot and was regularly found in the gym. I walk soon with Socks, our new puppy, and I have a spinning bike in the attic that I regularly ride.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet.