Endometriosis, what can I do about it?

Have you experienced severe pain around your period, discomfort when passing bowels and urine, pain during or after intercourse, digestive symptoms, and chronic back pain?

Endometriosis could be the answer. Endometriosis affects 7% of the Canadian female population. People with endometriosis have endometrial tissue growing outside of their uterine cavity in other places, such as on the ovaries and intestines. Similar to many chronic conditions, endometriosis presents with underlying inflammation, which triggers symptoms such as pelvic pain. What causes this growth of endometrial tissue to occur? Research has yet not identified one specific cause. Research shows that there may be a connection to immune dysregulation, stress, dysbiosis, hormonal imbalances, and toxic environmental exposures.

As a naturopathic doctor, I value the importance of determining the root cause of my patient’s concerns and helping optimize their quality of life. When I am supporting my patients with endometriosis, I address all of the factors above by providing safe and effective treatment options. Where do I start first? The first place to start is the pillars of health, which break down into nutrition, movement, mental health, and sleep. Fueling our body with anti-inflammatory foods, eliminating food triggers, incorporating daily moderate-intensity physical movement, managing stress or anxiety, and optimizing sleep quality can decrease the intensity of symptoms.