It's Endometriosis Awareness Month!

with our awesome Naturopath, Dr. Domenique Barbaro

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects an estimated 1 million individuals in Canada. Due to normalization of symptoms, lack of awareness, and delayed diagnostic testing, this condition is unfortunately underdiagnosed and rarely caught early. Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of Endometriosis and treatment strategies that can be used to improve symptoms can help individuals who may have this condition uncover a diagnosis and improve their quality of life.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition and occurs when endometrial tissue presents itself outside the uterus. Lesions most commonly (but not exclusively) grow on the pelvic peritoneal cavity (a membrane that lines the abdomen and pelvis), ovaries, retro-sacral area (between the rectum and sacrum) and bowels. It most commonly affects women in their reproductive period and may be associated with infertility and pelvic pain.

What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?

Endometriosis primarily presents with progressive worsening pelvic pain that affects both physical and emotional health as well as daily functioning. The most commonly reported symptoms it presents with include dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), dyschezia (pain when having a bowel movement), dyspareunia (pain during intercourse) and dysuria (pain during urination). Other symptoms of Endometriosis include acne, fatigue/low energy, depression, anxiety, infertility, constipation and/or diarrhea and bloating. 

How do I know if I have Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is diagnosed exclusively by laparoscopic surgery, which is a type of procedure where a small tube with a camera is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall to visualize potential endometrial lesions. Due to the invasive nature of this procedure and lack of screening measures, many women never receive a definitive diagnosis. It is possible that endometriosis can be suspected and given an informal diagnosis, however, to fully receive the formal diagnosis, the laparoscopy procedure is the gold-standard. Presently, there is new research being conducted to try and find ways to improve the way we screen and diagnose Endometriosis, such as blood markers and ultrasound detection techniques. 

What are some Naturopathic Approaches to treating Endometriosis?

Some good news – if you have symptoms of Endometriosis and need support, Naturopathic Medicine can lend a helping hand, even if you don’t have a definitive diagnosis. Talking to a Naturopathic Doctor about your cycle and symptoms can be a great place to start as they can help screen for signs of Endometriosis and provide you with an individualized plan to help improve your symptoms by treating the root cause. 

While first-line therapies such as ibuprofen and oral contraceptives exist, there aren’t many other options for pain relief, and many first-line therapies have side effects. For this reason, alternative/complementary pain relief methods are often sought out by those with Endometriosis. 

Some Naturopathic approaches to Endometriosis:

• Evidence-based supplementation to help control pain, inflammation, and lesion growth 

• Nutritional support to help with pain, hormonal support, and reduced inflammation 

• Acupuncture and acupressure for cycle regulation, fertility and pain management 

• Hydrotherapy and heat therapy techniques for pain management 

• Botanicals/herbs for menstrual regularity, pain management, and cycle regularity 

• Lifestyle modifications for improved quality of life 

and more!

It is important to note that every case is different and there is no one-size-fits-all all approach. If you suspect you may have Endometriosis or need general support with your cycle, menstrual regularity, or other reproductive concerns, meet with a Naturopathic Doctor to start your health journey. We are here for you, and you are never alone. 

Dr. Domenique Barbaro, ND