How to Manage Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis is a hormone and immune system disease that impacts millions of women, teens and young girls worldwide. Endometriosis also called "endo" occurs when the tissue that usually lines the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus frequently causing adhesions and scarring in the pelvic region and surrounding areas. One of the most common symptoms of endo is pelvic pain particularly during menstrual periods. Some of the other more troublesome symptoms include fatigue, back pain, digestive upset, painful urination and bowel movements during menstrual periods and infertility.

Things You'll Need

• Heating pad
• Herbal teas and/or supplements
• Acupuncturist
• Gynecologist

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Instructions

• 1

  Incorporate good nutrition and dietary supplements. The Endometriosis Association (EA) conducted a survey of approximately 2300 women with endometriosis to find that 50% said that adding vitamins and minerals helped them.

• 2

  Avoid certain foods and substances that might aggravate and further intensify symptoms. Although some women experience an increased craving for caffeine during pre-menstrual and menstrual periods, some may find their pain minimized once caffeine has been decreased or eliminated. Avoiding greasy and heavy foods may also alleviate some of the digestive and intestinal discomfort experienced by those with endo.

• 3

  Apply heat. Some women find comfort in applying heat to the lower back and pelvic region. Electric heating pads prove the most ideal. In addition, hot baths may also help to alleviate some of the pain as well as tension throughout the entire body.

• 4

  Herbal Teas & Supplements

  Take herbal supplements and drink herbal teas. Vitex, evening primrose oil, dandelion, black cohash, motherwort, burdock and wild yam are a few natural herbs that may help with managing endometriosis symptoms. In addition certain caffeine-free herbal teas such as raspberry, chamomile and peppermint may also help to soothe and calm during pain attacks.

• 5

  Communicate with your doctor. If pain becomes too intense you may wish to visit your gynecologist who may then prescribe a higher dose of Ibuprofen or other medication for pain.