ENDOMETRIOSIS

March is endometriosis awareness month.

For an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, endometriosis is a debilitating and chronic disease. Up to 176 million women worldwide are affected by the condition. If you don't have it, you probably know someone that does.

Endometriosis is complex, with involvement of hormones from the endocrine system, and activation of the immune system due to inflammation. Tissue similar to endometrial cells (lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus. Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape. This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.

Endometriosis frequently presents with the symptom of pain including dysmenorrhoea (painful periods), dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), and chronic pelvic or abdominal pain. Endometriosis can be associated with infertility.

See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/endometriosis/symptoms/ for a list of symptoms.

There is no cure for endometriosis. Interventions include medical treatment (hormonal therapy, immune-modulators, anti-inflammatory drugs), surgery, nutrition and alternative medicine.

HOW CAN NUTRITION HELP?

As inflammation plays a significant role, reducing inflammatory foods and increasing anti-inflammatory foods can play a role in helping to manage the pain from inflammation.

There are foods and supplements, based on research, that can dampen down inflammation.

Lifestyle changes may also help improve symptoms.