Treat Endometriosis naturally | Endo Naturopath Brisbane

Natural remedies for Endometriosis-

Endometriosis is a complex condition, and each person will have their unique set of underlying drivers, and a unique set of symptoms. I have discussed endo more in depth in my blog post, including various drivers commonly seen in clinic - click here.

Naturopathy considers the whole body, diet, environment and lifestyle when addressing underlying drivers of Endometriosis.

With endometriosis, there can be an estrogen dominance issue and an immune dysfunction that creates an incredible amount of inflammation in the body, leading to pain, heavy & painful periods, gastrointestinal changes, mood changes, chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches/migraines.. the list can be exhausting.

The naturopathic aim is to find the root cause of estrogen dominance and immune dysfunction.

We do this by:

• having in depth consultations to go through symptoms of the whole body, the diet, previous health history, family history and the environment

• using functional hormone testing to investigate hormone levels

• using functional testing to investigate causes of immune dysfunction - common issues include gut microbiome issues (consider this if you have severe bloating and change of bowel habits!), stress and nervous system dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins..

• If you want to learn more about functional testing, please click here.

Natural herbal and nutrient recommendations for endo

Again, I can’t stress this enough.. this will depend on the individual! Find a practitioner who will help you figure out your drivers and work on a plan that is targetted and INDIVIDUAL - not a ‘one size’ fits all treatment. Cough the pill cough

Some interventions that could be used in naturopathic treatments include:

Pain remedies for endo -

For pain: The top of the list when treating endometriosis - pain is a very complex, and subjective experience which makes it difficult to pin down. Endometriotic type pain is associated with active inflammation, making it ‘nociceptive’ - meaning, pain that arises from damage to non-neural tissue. Other types of pain associated with endometriosis include neuropathic pain and muscular pain. Pain can be extremely stressful, so it is not uncommon to see dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis, which is a central component of the stress response (Coxon et al., 2018). Some common interventions for pain include:

• Increase anti-inflammatories & antioxidant rich foods: as found in fatty fish (salmon, mackeral, sardines), nuts and seeds, cold pressed oils, turmeric, ginger, berries, citrus fruits, pineapple, papaya and green tea. Consider supplementing with fish oil or cod liver oil.

• Decrease inflammatory foods: such as refined sugars, takeaway, saturated fats and deep fried foods, excessive caffeine, alcohol and refined carbohydrates; such as bread, pastries and pies.

• Herbal & Nutritional interventions include those with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antispasmodic, anodyne and antiprostaglandin properties. We have some amazing herbs and nutrients at our fingertips that have been preferred by case subjects in the literature. As always, herbs and nutrients can have adverse effects if self-prescribed. A naturopath will work with you to tailor a treatment plan that is safe and specific to your presentation.

• Engage with other physicians such as acupuncturists and physiotherapists. Hypertonic pelvic floor is something that contributes to spasms and pain in endometriosis, and can be supported by a physio.

• Support your stress response by engaging in activities that make you feel relaxed, such as meditation, yoga, pilates, reading, singing, dancing, swimming, going for nature walks. There are also some very effective herbs and nutraceuticals that support your hypothalamic-pituitary-axis.

Remedies for scar tissue with endo -

To reduce inflammation, and thus scar formation: Inflammation is a main contributor to pain and scar tissue formation. Interventions include:

• Increase anti-inflammatories & antioxidant rich foods, and decrease inflammatory foods, as seen above. Again, consider supplementing with fish oil or cod liver oil.

• Key herbal interventions and nutritional interventions include those with anti-inflammatory, tissue healing, immune modulating, and lymphatic properties. It is important to work with your naturopath to assess what herbs are right for your individual presentation. But examples could include calendula, gotu kola, yarrow, zinc & vitamin C.

Remedies for hormonal imbalances -

Oestrogen dominance and progesterone insufficiency/resistance are a huge contributor to case presentation. Interventions include:

• Assess the environment to determine if there are any environmental toxins disrupting the endocrine system, and exacerbating symptoms. Environmental toxins can be found in the water you’re drinking, cosmetics, perfumes, household products, pesticides and herbicides found in food, road or air pollutants, aircons.. the list goes on!

• Addressing adrenal function due to cortisol having an inverse relationship with estrogen. The adrenals secrete adrenaline and cortisol, and with prolonged stress, they eventually crash, leading to adrenal exhaustion. If the adrenals are in overdrive, the body diverts progesterone to the adrenals to support cortisol production, due to progesterone being the precursor. This can support estrogen dominance by causing estrogen to be “unopposed”. Meaning, the estrogen:progesterone ratio is out. Furthermore, excessive cortisol actually blocks progesterone receptors, further contributing to low progesterone. There are many neutraceuticals and herbal interventions to support adrenal function, and again it is essential to be working with your practitioner to identify what ones are right for you.

• Address weight and the conversion of adipose tissue to estrogen. Adipose tissue in those with excess weight significantly contributes to the body pool of estrogen. Tips include:

  • Reassess macronutrient intake to ensure you are not going over your energy in/energy out ratio.

  • Reduce your intake of calorie dense foods such as chocolate, pastries, takeout.

  • Exercise at least 3-4 times per week with exercises that increase your heart rate.

• Assess liver function to enhance the clearance of estrogen. Ensure you are eating enough fibre, to support the binding and elimination of estrogens via the liver. Did you know the recommended daily intake for fibre is 35g/day? A lot of us do not meet that mark, and can contribute to constipation and the reabsorption of estrogens. Bitter foods stimulate the liver, and can be found in rocket, endive, broccoli sprouts, and lemons.

• Assess gastrointestinal function as alterations in the microbiome can contribute to estrogen excess, called the ‘estrobolome’. Furthermore, alterations in bowel clearance can contribute to estrogen excess due to a process called enterohepatic circulation. This is when the bowels aren’t cleared frequently, leading to reabsorption of toxins and in this case, estrogen, leading to bodily excess. Key things a naturopath will look out for is dysbiosis (alterations of the gut bacteria), food intolerances, food excess or deficiencies, malabsorption and leaky gut, and altered motility.

Consult with a naturopath - Stafford, Brisbane

If you’re struggling to manage your endometriosis symptoms with conventional medicine, you’re not alone. Consider an alternative approach with natural medicine, which can be used in combination with your allopathic treatment.

Natural medicine looks for long term solutions for optimal wellness instead of bandaid treatments.

Have questions? Book in for a free discovery call! Click here