Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that are normally contained within the womb flourish and grow outside of the womb outside of the pelvic cavity. These cells like their contained counterparts respond to hormonal fluctuations and cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, severe menstrual pain, heavy uterine bleeding and infertility.
The causes of endometriosis are varied and include estrogen balance, retrograde menstruation (where the flow goes up instead of out), immune dysfunction, environmental causes (pollution and xenoestrogens) and genetic causes.
Natural remedies have had successes with controlling and minimising the symptoms associated with endometriosis including the area of fertility. There are several clinics in Queensland that specialise specifically in Women's reproduction and fertility and it may be worth you subscribing to their blogs or consulting their naturopaths for a more personalised approach. The most famous of these is Sharkeys In Nerang on the Gold Coast. The founder of this clinic became known as the ‘baby maker’ due to her success in helping couples achieve fertility.
As with all holistic approaches to healing the totality of the symptoms must be interpreted in light of the person presenting with them, and as such it is necessary to look at your lifestyle factors, menstrual patterns and symptom patterns to tailor a specific protocol for you. When hormonal balancing, a clear understanding of where and how the menstrual cycle is imbalanced, leads to the choice of herbs that are used to treat it. Herbs that are often used for specific hormonal imbalance include Chaste tree, Peony, Black Cohosh, False Unicorn root and Pulsatilla.
Within my practice and my work with Flannerys I often will prescribe Fembalance - a unique product that contains Indolplex for patients in your situation. This product helps to decrease harmful estrogen production in the body and favours positive estrogen production and metabolism. This product also contains Herbs and nutrients that improve fertility and regulate the menstrual cycle. This product can only be prescribed by a Naturopath or Doctor as it is not suited for everyone. Other products which are more general include:
Vitamin C: Useful when there is excessive bleeding. Vitamin C will aid in tissue repair and acts as a styptic (stops bleeding). It is important that if you are taking Vitamin C it does not contain Rutin. Rutin has been reported to inhibit conception.
Evening Primrose oil: A high source of Omega 6 fatty acids that are believed to have a hormonal balancing effect. This effect also extends to decreasing the pain associated with menstruation.
Milk Thistle: Liver clearance is an important consideration in any hormonally based problem. Using a daily liver tonic or repair herb will improve your body’s ability to properly metabolise the hormones when they are broken down again within your body.
Bowel Fibres: Daily health bowel movements are also implicated as a symptom and cause of hormonal imbalance. Ensuring you have adequate fibre in your diet will ensure that you clear your bowels daily and minimise the storage and re-absorption of potentially harmful "toxins" within your bowel. I generally recommend slippery elm or "Motion Potion" a great blended bowel fibre suitable for a range of conditions.
Water: Staying hydrated and flushing your system with water also improves your chances of fertility and decreases inflammation. Water intake should be approximately 2 litres a day.
Diet: Ensuring your diet is high in fruit and vegetables and whole foods and low in processed foods, caffeine and sugar will also decrease the inflammation associated with endometriosis.
Finally I see many women in your position and while they experience positive results there is also a lot of patience, dedication and time required to achieve the desired outcomes. If you embark on treatment to improve your fertility and decrease your endometriosis I suggest that you keep an open mind and not to expect results too soon. Hormonal changes are measured in a cycle to cycle basis which means months rather than days. Stress plays a huge role in disease and as such placing too much expectation and focus on one aspect of your life may ultimately make the healing process harder.