Treating Endometriosis
It is becoming increasingly well recognised that endometriosis is actually a chronic inflammatory condition, not one related to Oestrogen alone.
The exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, but research is now suggesting that it appears to be a disorder related to an inappropriate immune response to the presence of the tissue in the abdominal cavity. There is also an increasingly stronger link between the immune dysregulation and gut or vaginal dysbiosis.
It is likely that the following are all intricately intertwined:
Presence of endometriosis lesions & a background vulnerability to the disease
Immune dysfunction
Gut and vaginal dysbiosis resulting in the presence of bacterial toxins in the abdominal cavity which may trigger or perpetuate the immune dysfunction.
This little cycle of events may cause the endometrial deposits to proliferate. As the tissue is responsive to Oestrogen we then see symptoms exacerbated at times of relatively higher oestrogen levels.
Conventionally women will need a laparoscopy or MRI for a diagnosis. They are then treated with surgery and commonly with contraceptive methods to try and suppress the response of the endometriosis lesions, holding the condition and symptoms at bay.
However, there is one flaw with this – treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. Furthermore, many women do not want to have to take contraception or have a coil.
Assessing endometriosis from a functional and integrated perspective has us looking into each woman’s Gut-Brain-Immune axis and the interplay of this with the endometriosis lesions.
At BiOrigin we look to assess each woman individually to help moderate the way in which the body is responding to this process minimising symptoms and the impact on their life. We would look to assess each aspect of that intertwined triangle; assessing for the presence and severity of dysbiosis, modulating the immune system and assessing hormonal balance and overall oestrogen ‘pool’.
This is complex and needs to be done in stages, with supervision. Working with a team to address your nutrition, a herbalist for the best supplements and a health coach for support puts you in the best position to help break free from the myriad of endometriosis symptoms you experience.
But, if that is not possible right now… then all is not lost. Here are a few tips to help first off:
How to tackle the inflammation:
Consider a low-inflammatory diet, many people gain benefits from removing typical culprits such as dairy and gluten.
Take a high-quality omega oil, or make sure you have at least two portions of oily fish a week
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients – focus on eating the rainbow and incorporating as many colours as you can muster.
How to tackle oestrogen overload
Eat leafy green or brassica vegetables such as broccoli, kale, broccoli sprouts, bok choy
Make sure you poo at least once a day with a soft, not loose or hard consistency
Limit your external oestrogen exposures such as eating and drinking out of plastic containers
Move/exercise daily – this increases the blood flow, movement of lymph and therefore assists with clearance and detoxification. Plus it gives us a shot of endorphins and works to reduce systemic inflammation.
Please remember we are here for you. Should you have any questions please get in touch. We want everyone to get the most out of life.