How To Manage Endometriosis Naturally, According To An Integrative Doctor

Liz is a patient who joined my medical practice at 36 because she was coping with chronic pelvic pain. She had suffered for well over a decade with debilitating endometriosis pain. She'd undergone multiple surgical procedures that have only temporarily eased her discomfort, and she was dependent on strong and potentially dangerous medications to get her through the day with a manageable pain level.

Her story echoes that of so many women suffering daily with endometriosis. But I believe it doesn't have to be this way.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in America, and likely many more, due to growing awareness that it may be highly under-diagnosed, especially in younger women.

It's a condition where tissue that normally lines the uterus—called the endometrium—grows in other parts of the body where it’s not supposed to be, most commonly the abdominal cavity, where it can land on the intestinal lining, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

This tissue is triggered by the same hormonal changes that trigger your period to come each month, causing this tissue to bleed as well. The blood in the abdomen causes irritation to the local nerves, which can be extremely painful. Over time, this bleeding can also lead to chronic inflammation and the formation of scar tissue, which in turn causes adhesions to form on the intestines, bladder, and reproductive organs, potentially leading to a whole host of symptoms.

Women with endometriosis often struggle with awful menstrual cramping that sometimes won’t even go away with NSAIDS (a group of common pain killers, like Motrin and Ibuprofen). Some other common symptoms are long heavy periods (“periods from hell” is something I often hear), pelvic pain between periods, constipation and bloating, painful sex, urinary problems, low back ache, and chronic fatigue. These symptoms are a result of the inflammation, irritation, and adhesions.

In some cases, the first noticeable "symptom" is difficulty conceiving. In fact, up to 50% of women with fertility struggles have endometriosis.

Nobody knows exactly why endometriosis happens. Unfortunately, endometriosis can progress and worsen over time if not addressed.

Conventional medicine hasn’t actually figured out how to best treat endometriosis—so it mostly focuses on symptom relief through medications and surgery.

While the use of NSAIDS can provide temporary relief of pain, these drugs can carry risks. Hormonal therapies can relieve symptoms of mild to moderate pain but also have potential side effects, and they don't get to the root causes of the problem.

Surgery, or the removal of endometrial tissue via a laparoscopy, can relieve symptoms for as long as two years. However, the symptoms eventually return in most cases, and it could lead to more scar tissue.

Finally, a hysterectomy is sometimes recommended as a last resort, but this is not an option for women who want to become pregnant. Plus, this is often considered one of the most over-performed, unnecessary surgeries—including its use for endometriosis.

As an integrative medicine doctor focused on women’s health, my approach is to address the root causes of a condition. In this case, to calm inflammation, support the body's natural detoxification process, and support a healthy hormones balance so there isn’t excess triggering of the endometrial tissue to grow, as happens with estrogen dominance. Natural pain relief is also important, in order to avoid regular use of potentially harmful medications.

In my approach, diet, appropriate herbs, and supplements are the primary methods of managing endometriosis.

My plan involves four steps. I recommend taking on one new step every five days, and then staying on the plan for about 6 to 12 months. Keep a record of how you’re feeling on a 1 to 10 scale, especially during the times where your pain is usually the worst. This will help you understand if your symptoms are improving.

One thing to note: The herbs and supplements mentioned should not be taken during pregnancy, but can be taken up until conception. They can be taken safely if you’re breastfeeding. It's also a good idea to speak with your medical provider before trying any new treatments or taking regular supplements.

Antioxidants can prevent and reverse local tissue damage from inflammation. Some of the best antioxidants come from foods high in vitamins E, A, and C. You can also supplement by taking a daily multivitamin. Here are some of the antioxidant supplements that have been shown to be especially helpful in treating endometriosis:

My patient Liz’s story is a cautionary tale of what can happen when we focus solely on managing pain of endometriosis with medication, rather than getting to the root causes. My hope is that this information will help to relieve your suffering, but more than that, improve your health so you can feel like yourself again.