Relieving endometriosis: a few tips to help you

Various natural approaches can help relieve endometriosis symptoms on a day-to-day basis.

First of all, there are many therapies that can be effective in managing endometriosis:

• for managing emotions, pain, and reducing anxiety: sophrology, hypnosis, sexology, psychotherapy, meditation…
• for body mobility, as lesions can restrict affected tissues and organs: osteopathy, physiotherapy, yoga…
• for nutrition and adapted lifestyle habits: dietetics, naturopathy…

In addition, natural products can help establish daily wellness and pain-relief routines. Herbal medicine through infusions and food supplements; thermotherapy using heat or cold through hot water bottles, bath bombs made with essential actives…

Let's look at what to turn to depending on the symptoms affecting us!

Period pain can sometimes be extreme, affecting both the pelvic region and the lower back, and can even cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, and faintness…

Periods are considered "heavy" when you need to change your sanitary protection more than once every 2–3 hours.

In cases of heavy periods, it's worth turning to plants rich in vitamins and minerals, such as nettle. You can consume it as you prefer: as a concentrate, an infusion, or a condiment. 

Did you know? Gluten may be inflammatory for everyone!

A 2017 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that repeated gluten consumption may increase intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut".

A "leaky gut" contributes to food intolerances, triggers inflammation, and increases the risk of autoimmune disease. It can also — and above all — slow the liver's detoxification capacity, which is critical for healthy hormonal balance. An inflammatory bacterium, LPS, can leak into the bloodstream, placing excessive pressure on the liver, which, when overwhelmed, becomes unable to manage hormone detoxification.

It is advisable to seek support from a nutritionist or naturopath who specialises in this area, to ensure your diet is adapted as effectively as possible to any intolerances you may have and to your health profile.

Digestive issues can manifest in different forms: bloating (also known as pregnancy belly or endobelly when they are truly extreme, typical of endometriosis), diarrhoea, constipation…

The balance of the microbiome is also important in the detoxification of oestrogens, as they are excreted through stools. If the gut flora is imbalanced, certain bacteria could prevent the excretion of oestrogens, causing an excess of them. Probiotic courses can then be helpful.

An anti-inflammatory diet is also recommended to ease digestive issues in those with endometriosis. The foundations of this diet are to favour fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3, magnesium, vitamins D, zinc, selenium, polyphenols… and above all to avoid all processed and industrial products, those high in dairy proteins, gluten, sugar, as well as coffee and alcohol.

For more details on eating well for a healthy cycle, you can download our cycle ebook on the website.

Dyspareunia is pain during sexual intercourse upon penetration, or even after orgasm.

For dyspareunia, it is strongly recommended to seek help from an osteopath, a pelvic or intra-pelvic physiotherapist, as well as a sex therapist.

Products such as lubricant can help, as can an intimate rebalancing gel to rehydrate and restore vaginal flora, thanks in particular to a complex of vaginal pre- and probiotics.

Urinary disorders, also known as interstitial cystitis, can present in various forms: an overactive bladder, difficulty emptying it, pain when urinating…

A urologist will carry out a urological assessment to determine exactly which urinary disorders you are experiencing, so that the appropriate measures can be taken.

An electrostimulation device (URO STIM 2) can help retrain the tibial nerve connected to the bladder. This device can be prescribed by your healthcare specialist (gynaecologist, urologist, etc.).

Physiotherapy sessions can also help you gradually regain control of your bladder.

Neuropathic pain indicates nerve damage caused by endometriosis lesions, and can manifest as sciatica, crural neuralgia, pudendal neuralgia, or any other neurogenic pain along a nerve pathway).

Doctors commonly prescribe medication, sometimes quite strong, as the pain can be unbearable. However, over time their impact is not negligible and can put strain on your liver.

For relief, physiotherapy / osteopathy sessions may also be prescribed to restore mobility to the affected area, and above all to learn positions to practise regularly at home as a preventive measure and also during flare-ups to help ease the pain.

Chronic fatigue is a telling sign of endometriosis when it becomes debilitating in daily life. Chronic fatigue can be addressed on several levels:

• Through our diet: by favouring energising foods to include in our meals, or to consume daily as snacks, such as raw cacao, goji berries, maca powder…
• Through food supplements: spirulina, acerola, magnesium, ginseng, guarana, vitamins… or melatonin for better sleep. If you are trying for a baby, you can turn to a female fertility booster.
• Through exercise, such as yoga and relaxation (the stress and anxiety caused by endometriosis can be even more exhausting)

To find out more, see our article on endometriosis and fatigue.

Be careful not to self-supplement — food supplements are not without risk and can interfere with other supplements, foods and medications, and may not be suited to your personal situation, without even considering the need to choose them carefully and adjust dosages accordingly. It is therefore preferable to seek advice from a healthcare practitioner specialising in nutrition.

Le Lab de l'endo is a specialist shop offering a wide range of products to address the symptoms of endometriosis.