About Endometriosis 

‍

Over 830,000 people live with endometriosis in Australia. 

‍

That’s about 1 in 7 people assigned female at birth and tens of thousands of hospitalisations every year. With a 7 year delay in diagnosis on average, endometriosis is a widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and underfunded condition. 

‍

That’s where we come in. 

‍

What is Endometriosis? 

Yes, endometriosis is somewhat of a pain in the guts (literally), but contrary to popular belief, endo is more than just pelvic pain. 
‍

Endometriosis is a progressive, inflammatory disease that is affected by hormones, but not caused by hormones. On top of the debilitating pelvic pain, infertility, bloating, and back pain, endo can also cause serious fatigue and seriously disrupt your daily life. It’s been shown to affect people’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and can even impact a person’s ability to work or go to school.  
‍

When you live with endometriosis, cells similar to the lining of your uterus (aka the endometrium) grow elsewhere in the body, particularly in the pelvis. 

‍

Cells that build up and form in the uterus or endometrium shed each month when you have your menstrual period. However, when you have endo, the cells that form outside of your uterus don’t shed with your period. 
‍

Instead, these cells stay there and continue to build up over time. Over time, this build-up of cells outside of the uterus can lead to pain, inflammation, scarring, cysts, and even adhesions in some cases – where the build-up of cells causes your organs to stick together in certain places. 
‍

Ever heard the saying that endometriosis is a “full-body” condition? Well, that’s because endometriosis is more than misplaced cells growing where they shouldn’t. Instead, it’s a complex interplay of cells, hormones, and the immune system. 

‍

Symptoms of Endometriosis 

As we know by now, endo is a very complex condition, and the symptoms of endometriosis are no exception to this rule. 
‍

Endometriosis symptoms are incredibly varied from endo warrior to endo warrior and can be quite similar to those that are seen in conditions such as PCOS, adenomyosis, IBS, fibroids, or an STI. Cue delayed (ahem, or incorrect) diagnosis. 
‍

Some of the most common symptoms of endometriosis include:  

• Lower back pain 
• Nerve pain
• Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstruation 
• Fatigue 
• Abdominal bloating (aka endo belly) 
• Very painful cramps 
• Severe pelvic pain 
• Painful sex (aka dyspareunia) 
• Mood changes 
• Painful bowel movements 
• Pain when emptying the bladder 
• Infertility and difficulty conceiving 
• Digestive issues (including nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea) 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend booking an appointment to talk to your doctor or speaking to a women’s health specialist. The sooner you speak to an expert, the sooner you can start receiving support for your symptoms.  

‍

What Causes Endometriosis? 

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that is affected by hormones, but not caused by them. While the exact cause of endometriosis is still unknown, there are several factors that may contribute to the development of the condition. Some common causes of endometriosis include: 

• Genetics: If you have a family history of endometriosis, you have a higher risk of developing the condition yourself  
• Hormones: Oestrogen is believed to play a role in the growth of endo. Higher than-average oestrogen levels could contribute to the development and progression of endometriosis in some people
• Retrograde menstruation: Retrograde menstruation occurs when instead of flowing through the vaginal cavity and exiting the body, the menstrual blood (containing endometrial cells from the lining of the uterus) flows back into the pelvis via the fallopian tubes
• Prior surgeries: Several studies have shown that after gynaecological or abdominal surgeries, such as a C-section, endometrial cells can attach themselves to the surgical scar or incision, resulting in endometriosis 

While it’s typically more common in those who have been assigned female at birth, endometriosis has also been found in the genitourinary tracts of men. While fewer than 20 cases have been reported in men (compared to the 190 million women currently living with it worldwide), it is still possible. 

‍

Reducing Your Risk of Endometriosis 

While there are no known ways to prevent endometriosis, having an understanding of the signs of endometriosis is more beneficial than you might initially think. Being aware of the various symptoms of endometriosis and what you should be on the lookout for if you suspect you may have the condition can result in early diagnosis and management. 
‍

However you and your clinical team may choose to manage your symptoms, early intervention can help to prevent the progression of endometriosis and reduce the long-term impacts of the symptoms. 

‍

Getting a Diagnosis For Endometriosis 

At the time of writing, the only definitive way to obtain a pathological diagnosis of endometriosis is via laparoscopic surgery. 

‍

Laparoscopic surgery is a type of surgery where a long, thin camera (aka a laparoscope) is inserted into the body via a small cut (aka surgical incision) on the abdomen. The laparoscope enables doctors to view your reproductive organs, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and take tissue samples if necessary. 

‍

Managing Endometriosis  

If your doctor or medical team has ever made you feel as though treating endometriosis is mission impossible, we want you to know that that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Wondering what treatments are available for endometriosis? We’re here to help. 
‍

While there is currently no cure for endometriosis, there is an abundance of treatment options available to help you manage your endometriosis and provide you with pain relief. These treatment options can also help you to: 

• Reduce the symptoms of endometriosis and endometriosis pain
• Target chronic pain and improve your quality of life 
• Reduce the growth of endometrial tissue 
• Reduce your risk of more severe disease occuring later in life 
• Decrease the likelihood of fertility problems and difficulty conceiving 
• Improve your quality of life 

Treatment for endometriosis may involve one of the options below, or a combination of a few, depending on your treatment plan: 

‍

Medical treatments (including NSAIDs and other medications)

‍

Surgical treatments (including endometriosis surgery such as laparoscopic surgery)

‍‍

Hormonal treatments (including hormone therapy, like oral contraceptive pills)

‍‍

Combined treatments (including a mix of conventional and natural treatments)

Medications for Endometriosis 

NSAIDs 

Many people living with endo turn to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (aka NSAIDs) for temporary pain relief from the symptoms of endometriosis. 

NSAIDs, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, block the production of prostaglandin within the body, helping to effectively manage pain and inflammation. 
‍

Prescription Natural Medicine 

For those looking for a natural alternative for endometriosis treatment, allow us to introduce you to prescription natural medicine. Prescription natural medicine (including medicinal cannabis) can slow the growth of endometrial tissue growth, improve sleep, ease chronic pelvic pain, and provide relief from gastrointestinal issues.  
‍

Surgery for Endometriosis 

One (very) unique benefit to laparoscopic surgery is that patients can receive their diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis within the same procedure. If endometriosis is found during the laparoscopy, a small tissue sample (also known as a biopsy) will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. The type of treatment you receive following the laparoscopy will depend on the location of the endometriosis, and the extent of the tissue growth. 
‍

If you’re considering going down the surgical route, it’s important to note that just like any other endometriosis treatment option, surgery also comes with its own catalogue of benefits, risks, and potential side effects. Along with the costs and recovery times that can be associated with surgery (and can act as a barrier for many people seeking treatment for endometriosis), having endometriosis tissue removed via laparoscopic surgery has its own limitations. 
‍

Unfortunately, extracting and removing the tissue doesn’t always remove all of the impacted tissue, and doesn’t always prevent the tissue from growing back. This may result in the need for further surgeries or medical management. 
‍

At the time of writing, laparoscopic surgery is the only definitive way to confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s the right option for everyone. We hope to see more universally accessible treatments become available, because you deserve a say in the treatments you receive. 
‍

Hormone Therapy for Endometriosis 

The reality is, laparoscopic surgery isn’t for everyone. And, it doesn’t have to be. 
‍

Hormone treatments are a common approach to endometriosis management and work to: 

• Reduce the frequency of menstruation:
  • Reducing the frequency of menstruation (or stopping menstruation altogether) can help alleviate endometriosis pain and other symptoms associated with the condition
• Lower oestrogen levels within the body:
  • Higher than-average oestrogen levels have been linked to the growth of endometrial tissue. Decreasing the oestrogen levels within the body can help regulate hormones and decrease a person’s risk of developing endometriosis

Some of the most popular hormonal therapy treatments for endometriosis include: 

• Hormonal Contraceptives – including oral contraceptives (aka The Pill), vaginal rings and patches 
• Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists (aka GnRH)
• Progestin Therapy – including IUDs, progestin-only pills, and injections 

If you choose to centre your endometriosis treatment plan around hormone therapy, the medication you receive will depend on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, your age, and if you have any reproductive plans. 
‍

Based on these considerations, an expert in women’s health and endometriosis can help you determine the most effective method of hormone therapy for you and your lifestyle. 
‍

Other Therapies for Endometriosis 

Whether you want an alternative for laparoscopic surgery, explore non hormonal endometriosis treatment options, or just want to know what else is out there, many alternative therapies exist to help you manage your endo in a way that aligns with your needs and wishes. 
‍

Some natural options that can help to manage the symptoms of endometriosis include: 

‍

Supplements 

Supplements with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Omega-3, to reduce inflammation
‍

Naturopathic Treatment for Endometriosis Pain

Naturopathic treatment for endometriosis pain typically involves a holistic, natural approach to healing, with a focus on using herbal medicines to alleviate pain 
‍

Diet and Exercise 

Along with getting enough rest, and staying on top of those hydration levels, moving our bodies and fuelling them with the right foods has more of an impact on endometriosis management than you might think. 
‍

Anti-inflammatory foods like whole grains, legumes, omega-3 and olive oil help to balance intestinal bacteria, lower levels of inflammation, and manage the symptoms of endometriosis. 

‍

Acupuncture

Emerging research has found that acupuncture can play a role in the effective management of endometriosis symptoms. Acupuncture has been shown to ease pelvic pain and improve the wellbeing and quality of life in women and folks assigned female at birth who live with endometriosis pain.  

‍

Combined Treatment for Endometriosis 

Forget everything you may have heard about a one-size-fits-all approach to treating endometriosis (and healthcare in general, for that matter).  
‍

The best treatment for endometriosis is the treatment plan that works for you. Because the symptoms are so varied and manifest themselves differently in each person, endometriosis treatments that work for one person may not necessarily work for another. 
‍

A combined approach to treatment involving a range of different treatment and management options (such as hormone treatments, natural therapies, medication and surgery) can help effectively manage the symptoms of endometriosis and improve the quality of life for those impacted by it. 
‍

If you suspect you might have endometriosis, we recommend booking a time to talk to your doctor or an expert in women’s health to determine the most effective treatment plan for you and your unique situation.