How to cure endometriosis: Natural treatment

The medical name for the inner lining of the uterus is the endometrium. During menstruation, the uterine lining is shed thru the vagina. In the case of endometriosis, fragments of the endometrium develop elsewhere than in the inner lining of the uterus, or uterine cavity. They can thus appear on the ovaries, or sometimes on the fallopian tubes, the vagina, the peritoneum, or the intestine. These implants can cause chronic inflammatory reactions that worsen the pain and can lead to adhesions between organs.

Causes of endometriosis

The exact causes are not yet fully understood, but several theories explain its occurrence:

• Retrograde menstruation: this phenomenon occurs when menstrual blood, containing endometrial cells, flows back up the fallopian tubes and spills into the pelvic cavity instead of being expelled thru the vagina. The cells can implant on neighboring organs, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum, and continue to respond to hormonal cycles. This phenomenon is observed in many women, but not all of them develop endometriosis, suggesting that other factors are involved.
• Genetic factors: Endometriosis seems to have a hereditary component. Women with close family members (mother, sister) affected by this disease have a higher risk of developing it, suggesting the involvement of certain genes. Studies are underway to identify the responsible genes in order to better understand this predisposition.
• Immune system dysregulation: A weakened or dysfunctional immune system may not effectively eliminate endometrial cells present outside the uterus, allowing them to implant and proliferate. This dysfunction can also promote chronic inflammation, exacerbating the pain.
• Hormonal dysfunction: Endometriosis is strongly influenced by hormones, particularly estrogens. An excessive production or increased sensitivity to this hormone can stimulate the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Hormonal imbalances can be amplified by environmental factors or lifestyle habits.
• Cellular metaplasia: some cells present in the pelvic cavity could spontaneously transform into endometrial cells under the influence of hormones or chronic inflammation, even in the absence of retrograde menstruation. This theory is still debated, but it could explain atypical cases of endometriosis.
• Environmental factors: exposure to chemical substances, such as dioxins or endocrine disruptors, can disrupt hormonal balance and promote the onset of endometriosis. These substances are suspected of exacerbating inflammation or stimulating the proliferation of abnormal cells. Research on the role of diet and pollutants in the onset of endometriosis is progressing.
• Surgical interventions: operations such as cesarean sections or gynecological procedures could allow endometrial cells to migrate to unusual areas, promoting their implantation and development on surgical scars. Rare cases have even been reported after certain abdominal surgeries.

Forms of endometriosis, peritoneal, deep, digestive.

Endometriosis is a disease that is classified based on its location, the amount, depth, and size of the endometrial tissue:

Endometriosis is a disease that is classified based on its location, the amount, depth, and size of the endometrial tissue:

Ovarian endometriosis, characterized by the presence of an endometriotic cyst on the ovary. These cysts, called endometriomas, can affect fertility and cause chronic pain. Their rupture can lead to serious complications.

Deep pelvic endometriosis, which manifests as endometriosis lesions located more than 5 mm below the peritoneum (uterosacral ligaments, posterior vaginal cul-de-sac, intestine, bladder), is often considered one of the most debilitating forms of the disease.

Digestive endometriosis is characterized by the adhesion of endometrial fragments to the intestines, colon, and rectum. It can lead to severe digestive disorders, such as intestinal obstructions.

There may be cases of pulmonary or cerebral endometriosis, although these locations are extremely rare. They remain poorly understood and require thorough investigations.

Symptoms: How to know if you have endometriosis?

Here are the most frequent symptoms of endometriosis, but women present different clinical signs, and some cases of endometriosis are completely asymptomatic:

The pains of endometriosis are characteristic: they include intense menstrual cramps felt in the abdomen and lower back, called dysmenorrhea. These pains can be resistant to conventional analgesic treatments.

• Pain experienced during sexual intercourse.
• An abnormal menstrual flow (more than 7 days, for example) and/or heavy, most often in the context of a variant of endometriosis called adenomyosis or internal endometriosis of the uterine wall.
• Infertility and difficulty getting pregnant.
• Painful urination during the menstrual period.
• Difficulty going to the bathroom during the menstrual cycle.
• Gastrointestinal and digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, constipation, and/or nausea, that remain unexplained by a digestive system disorder. These symptoms, sometimes confused with irritable bowel syndrome, further complicate the diagnosis.

Endometriosis pain

The pain associated with endometriosis is often intense and chronic. They mainly manifest during menstruation, in the form of severe pelvic cramps that can extend to the back and legs. They can also occur outside of menstruation, during sexual intercourse, urination, or bowel movements, depending on the location of the endometriotic lesions. The pain is sometimes so intense that it limits daily and professional activities. It results from chronic inflammation caused by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and the formation of adhesions between organs. This pain, often underestimated, has a physical impact, but also a psychological one, promoting exhaustion, irritability, and a deterioration of overall well-being.

Appropriate treatment and multidisciplinary care allow for better management of these pains and limit their impact on the patients' lives.

Is endometriosis curable?

What treatment for endometriosis?

• The long-term absence of menstruation, also called amenorrhea, is the primary treatment (first-line) for endometriosis.
• Endometriosis can benefit from natural treatment: thus, in many women, alternative medicine, a balanced diet, relaxation sessions, yoga practice, acupuncture sessions, osteopathic care, or physiotherapy can help alleviate the pain.
• A hormonal treatment is considered when the symptoms become debilitating. Women must then take the pill without interruption (oral contraceptives) or wear a hormonal IUD, in order to no longer secrete estrogen. Other women may resort to an artificial menopause treatment, with the same objective.