Endometriosis – Symptoms and Home Remedies

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells that form in the lining of the uterus. Some of these cells may, instead of being expelled from the body during the menstrual process, actually end up continuing their cycle elsewhere in the body. They then have no way of leaving the body, so the material builds up and may attach itself to other organs in the lower abdomen, such as the ovaries or bowel.

Growths of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity occur most often in or on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the urinary bladder, the bowel, the pelvic floor, and/ or the peritoneum (the membrane that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity), and within the uterine musculature. The most common site of endometriosis is believed to be the deep pelvic peritoneal cavity, or the cul-de-sac. The presence of endometrial implants outside the pelvic area is uncommon.

During the normal menstrual cycle, a continually changing hormonal environment stimulates the endometrium to grow in preparation for a possible pregnancy. This same cycle causes a follicle within one of the ovaries to ripen, and an egg is released. Finger like tissues on the fallopian tube grasp the egg, and the tiny, hairlike cilia inside the tube transport it toward the uterus, the lining of which is now spongy and well supplied with blood. If the egg is not fertilized within twenty-four hours or so of being released, the uterine lining proceeds to “die,” to be sloughed off, and to pass through the vagina during the menses.

Though not inside the uterus, the abnormal implants of endometriosis also respond to the hormonal changes controlling menstruation. Like the uterine lining, these fragments build tissue each month, then break down and bleed. Unlike blood from the uterine lining, however, blood from the implants has no way to leave the body. Instead, it must be absorbed by surrounding tissue, which is a comparatively slow process. In the meantime, the blood accumulates in body cavities. The entire sequence, from bleeding through absorption, can be painful.

As the menstrual cycle recurs month after month, the implants may get bigger. They may seed new implants and form localized scar tissue and adhesionsscar tissue that attaches to pelvic organs and binds them together. This contributes to the pain of endometriosis, and it can cause extreme pain in a subsequent pregnancy, as the uterus enlarges and the organs within the abdomen are pushed into different positions. Sometimes a collection of blood called a sac or cyst forms. Endometrial or “chocolate” cysts are common on the ovaries. These are usually found to contain moderate amounts of oxidized blood, which looks something like chocolate syrup. If a cyst ruptures, it can cause excruciating pain. No one knows what causes endometriosis, but several theories have been proposed.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Symptoms, including in capacitating pain in the uterus, lower back, and organs in the pelvic cavity prior to and during the menses; intermittent pain throughout the menstrual cycle; painful intercourse; excessive bleeding, including the passing of large clots and shreds of tissue during the menses; nausea, vomiting, and constipation during the menses; dyschezia (difficulty in passing stools due to weak pelvic muscles and anal sphincter); dysuria (pain while urinating); and, sometimes, infertility. Because menstruation is typically heavy, iron-deficiency anemia is common. Women whose cycles are shorter than twenty-seven days and/ or whose periods last longer than one week are at increased risk of anemia.

Herbal home remedies for Endometriosis

Treatment for endometriosis has varied over the years but no sure cure has yet been found. Here are some herbal remedies:-

  1. Alfalfa is a good source of vitamin K (necessary for blood clotting and healing) and needed minerals,
  2. Vitamin E is an important vitamin in endometriosis because it has been shown to relieve menstrual cramps in 70 percent of women within two menstrual cycles
  3. Astragalus, garlic, goldenseal, myrrh gum, pau d’ arco, and red clover have antibiotic and antitumor properties.
  4. Magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant and has been shown to have a beneficial effect on painful periods and lower back pain so it is worth taking as a supplement.
  5. Herbs such as chasteberry, false unicorn root, crampbark and black cohash play various roles in promoting the relief of symptoms by treating the underlying causes.

Useful References

6 Top Home Remedies For Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhoea

Painful menstruation or pain during the time of the monthly periods is called dysmenorrhoea. Congestion in the pelvic organs and ovulatory cycles are the causes of dysmenorrhoea during the early years of womanhood. Dysmenrrhoea which starts in the later years may be related to pelvic infections, fibroids or other gynaecological conditions.

There are certain chemicals called prostaglandins that a woman’s uterine lining produces every month. These help the uterus to contract ,and discharge its tissue and tissue fluids, which were formed to make the lining conducive for a fertilized ovum to embed itself. For some unknown reasons, when these prostaglandin levels are too high they cause cramps.

Dysmenorrhoea Causes

  • Pains may start with the first-ever period. However, they are more likely to begin 6-12 months later, once cycles where an egg is released are established. It’s these cycles that appear to cause more pain.
  • The cause of period pain is not certain. Once an egg has been released from one of the ovaries, natural chemicals produced by the body called prostaglandins are made in the lining of the uterus (womb). Some prostaglandins cause the walls of the uterus to contract. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins, which may cause increased contractions of the uterus. These cramps may be more painful because there is reduced blood (and therefore oxygen) supply to the myometrium (muscle wall of the uterus) during the contractions.

 Dysmenorrhoea Symptoms

  • Period pains vary a lot in strength and in position. Some women have a dull dragging pain in the abdomen or lower back or in both areas; others have more severe cramping abdominal pain. In some the pain may be felt in front of the thighs.
  • Up to 15% of women have period pains severe enough to interfere with their daily activities. This can lead to missing days at school or work or decreased participation in social or sporting activities.
  • Some women may get nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases fainting may occur.

Dysmenorrhoea Home Remedies

1. Hot Compress

Hot Compress

Holding a hot-water bottle on the abdomen will give temporary relief.

2. Salt

Decrease your salt intake a day or two before your periods are due. This helps excess fluid to be easily discharged by the kidneys, thus relieving pelvic congestion.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe

Take a long leaf of aloe vera. Wash it well and put it into a mixer to extract the juice. Strain and filter this juice. Take a tablespoon of this with honey 2-3 times a day for 4-5 days. It has an added laxative effect. So vary the dose as required. Make fresh juice every day.

4. Papaya

Papaya

Papaya aids menstrual flow. Have a large bowlful daily during your periods. Papaya also has a laxative action, so monitor the amount taken. It is supposed to have oestrogen-like prapiraties.

5. Carrot Juice

Carrot Juice

A cupful of carrot juice drunk once a day is also beneficial.

6. Carrot and Parsley

Carrot Soup

Carrot and parsley soup help in combating period pains.

Consult your general practitioner if the pain worsens or if you develop period pain following 3 or 4 years of relatively pain-free periods.

Useful References

How To Treat Adenomyosis Naturally

Adenomyosis

Related keywords & synonyms :: Adenomyoma, Endometriosis Interna

What is Adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is uterine thickening that occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, extends into the fibrous and muscular tissue of the uterus. Adenomyosis disease may coexist with external endometriosis in which endometrial implants are located outside the uterus. The abnormally located endometrial tissue, like the normal endometrium, tends to bleed with the menses. The blood and debris may accumulate in these misplaced glands creating small fluid collections inside the uterine wall. This penetrating and functioning endometrial tissue may lead to swelling; the uterus may become larger and globular.

Adenomyosis may present as a diffuse condition or it may be focal. In the latter, there are local areas of swelling, so-called adenomyomas, that may mimic other uterine masses.

The background incidence of adenomyosis in all women either with or without symptoms is not known precisely because only in recent years has MRI imaging been able to diagnose adenomyosis without doing a hysterectomy. In studies of chronic pelvic pain in which women had hysterectomies, the incidence of adenomyosis is about 15% to 25%.

What are the symptoms of Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis may be present and cause no symptoms. When this condition presents with symptoms the typical triad is uterine enlargement, pelvic pain and heavy and abnormal menstrual bleeding. Pain, which is most common during menses (dysmenorrhea), may be severe cramping or knifelike. However, pain may be present any time during the cycle and not only during the period. Some of the common symptoms of Adenomyosis may includes :-

  • New onset of menstrual cramping.
  • Painful menstruation.
  • Prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • The uterus is often 2-3 times the normal size.

What are the causes of Adenomyosis

The cause is unknown. Sometimes a focal area of adenomyosis appears to cause a mass or growth within the uterus, which is called an adenomyoma. The disease usually occurs in women older than 30 who have borne children and rarely occurs in women who have not carried a pregnancy to term. Cause is basically unknown although there seems to be an increased incidence associated with any :-

  • Child birth
  • Pregnancy terminations
  • Cesarean sections
  • Tubal ligations

Complications in Adenomyosis

Oral contraceptives may aggravate symptoms of heavy bleeding or pain.

Natural home remedies for the treatment of Adenomyosis

Some of the common home remedies for the treatment of Adenomyosis are :-

1. Indian Gooseberry

Indian Gooseberry

Have a teaspoon of Indian gooseberry juice with sugar on an empty stomach every morning. Follow it up with a glass of warm water.

2. Bael

Bael sharbat

Grind fresh bael leaves. A teaspoonful of this paste with warm water, had once a day, is efficacious.

3. Coriander-seed Decoction

Coriander Seeds

Boil a teaspoon of coriander seeds in a cup of water till it is reduced to half. Add sugar to taste and have twice or thrice a day while it is still warm.

4. Almonds

Almonds

Soak 2-3 almonds in water overnight. Next morning, remove the skins and grind the almonds to a paste with 2-3 small bael leaves. Add a little honey and have daily. (The bael-Ieaf juice should be about a teaspoonful). Follow this with a cup of warm milk.

Other treatment for Adenomyosis

Usually the only treatment is pain medication (analgesics). A hysterectomy may be necessary in women with severe symptoms who are not approaching menopause.Most treatment attempts with hormones have been unsuccessful.

Hysterectomy is currently considered by most the only effective treatment for symptomatic adenomyosis. In recent years, many patients with adenomyosis by surgically removing only specific areas of the uterus containing the bulk of the disease (as carefully defined by transvaginal ultrasound).

The drawback of this surgical treatment is that pregnancy is no longer an option. Nonetheless, patient satisfaction has been high because this more limited operation avoids all the other drawbacks of hysterectomy.

Useful References