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Endometriosis is a chronic, progressive condition in which endometrial
tissue (the inner lining of the uterus that is shed each month during
menstruation) is
found implanted outside of the uterus within the pelvic cavity. It is believed
that endometriosis affects as many as 10% of all women in the United
States and is the third leading cause of gynecologic hospitalization and a
leading cause of hysterectomy. The cause of
endometriosis is unclear although many theories exist. However, women
who have a mother or sister with endometriosis have been shown to be more likely to develop
the
condition.
Symptoms of endometriosis can include pain before and during menstrual periods, pain
during sexual
intercourse, abdominal bloating, pain during urination or bowel movements,
pelvic tenderness, premenstrual spotting, abnormally long or heavy menstrual
periods, rectal bleeding during menstrual periods, and an inability to become
pregnant.
Conventional treatment consists of medications to control
inflammation (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and to reduce the
levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones (e.g., birth control pills,
antiestrogens, progestins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone). In some cases
surgical treatments, such as removal of endometrial areas,
ovaries, or uterus may also be recommended.
Studies suggest that women who consume more than 5 grams of caffeine per month
(about 1.5 cups of coffee a day) are more likely to have endometriosis, however
no
study has investigated whether avoiding caffeine improves the symptoms of
endometriosis.
Preliminary research suggests that women
who engage in vigorous exercise, such as jogging or activities that raise the
heart rate, two to four hours per week have less risk of developing
endometriosis. It is not known if exercise will reduce the symptoms of existing
endometriosis.
Some research
suggests that fish oils may reduce the severity of endometriosis, and fish
oils have been shown to improve symptoms of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), which may be caused by endometriosis.
While no
specific research has been done on the effects of fish oils in women with
endometriosis, some health practitioners recommend several grams of fish oil per
day for the condition.
Vitex has also
been recommended either alone or in
combination with other herbs, such as dandelion root, prickly ash, and
motherwort, by some doctors to treat the symptoms of endometriosis. Vitex affects hormones that
affect the severity of endometriosis, and
it may be effective for premenstrual syndrome, however no research has tested the
effect of vitex supplementation on women with endometriosis.
Also, no other
botanical medicines have been scientifically researched for treating the
disease.
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