Some symptoms experienced are painful periods, intercourse, urination and defecation; PMS; infertility; and alteration to cycles. However, endometriosis is a condition that affects each sufferer differently. While one has pain during her period, another woman may have it throughout the month. Moreover, internal pain can complicate sexual relationships.
The endometrial tissues line the uterus and respond to hormones during the menstrual cycle. Further, the endometrium thickens and swells with blood. In endometriosis, the endometrial tissue develops where it should not be, outside the uterus, where it still responds to hormonal instructions, bleeding into areas where there is no escape from the blood. Furthermore, adhesions may form, binding tissues and organs together. Organs where endometriosis may develop include the outside of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, bowel, bladder, urethra, and fallopian tubes; rarely, the lungs, pancreas, or nose.
There are several theories on why endometriosis happens. The method of retrograde menstruation holds that the menstrual blood flows back up through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity, where the endometrial cells take root and grow. While these theories may explain the transportation mechanism, they do not explain why all women have retrograde menstruation; not all develop endometriosis.
Another recent theory is that the immune system has failed, allowing these rogue cells to grow where they should not know instead of recognising and removing them. Some commentators believe in a genetic predisposition because 7-10% of sufferers have a close relative with the condition. However, many sufferers are the only ones in the family with the disease.
Perhaps the connection is more due to a shared environment than shared genes. Indeed, there is strong evidence linking endometriosis. A clear dose-response relationship showed between low levels of dioxin in the diet and the development of endometriosis in rhesus monkeys. Besides, the more dioxin, the worse the endometriosis, according to reports of experiments conducted at the University of Wisconsin. Also, most of our exposure to dioxin comes from food, the most significant source being meat and dairy produce.
The ideal pattern of colonic treatments includes three alkalising colon hydrotherapy treatments with sodium bicarbonate, one anti-parasitic implant on the first treatment, one liver and gall bladder stimulating herbal implant on the second treatment, and high strength probiotic implant on the third colonic.
To clarify, each woman is unique and requires a specialised approach according to her biochemistry. They also respond differently to the environment. Moreover, she may be more or less able to deal with toxicity, digests, and assimilate food differently.
Alkalising colonic irrigation with bicarbonate of soda and high strength probiotic implants, and comprehensive consultation is available at Parkland Natural Health Clinic.
With endometriosis, there are possible underlying problems that could contribute to worsening symptoms. These include:
Nutritional guidelines
In addition, endometriosis involves an immune system deficit. Therefore, it is essential to identify all immunosuppressant factors, including toxic chemicals, heavy metals, harmful organisms, intolerances/allergies, stress, and inadequate nutrition.
This one is our most comprehensive food and drink test. The test analyses your client’s IgG antibody reactions to 208 food and drink ingredients. This test will highlight their food triggers and help you formulate an IgG-guided elimination diet together.
Then the immune system needs support. Taking lactobacilli improves immune function, and garlic and aloe vera juice help enhance immunity and act against Candida. 7 Essiac tea may also be beneficial.
Other valuable nutrients for the immune system are
People living with endometriosis have a lower T cell count. Echinacea stimulates T cells, and selenium increases the natural killer cell activity, germanium, and vitamin C. Proteolytic enzymes also elevate T cells.
I find that hypnosis and visualisation are helpful for illnesses of immunity. An ethical hypnotherapist will help clients feel more positive, confident, calm, and relaxed, which will help the immune system.
A high-fibre diet and plenty of water are helpful because the fibre absorbs oestrogen. Fibre from fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, pulses and wholegrains is the answer, not wheat-based fibre supplements. Psyllium and linseeds can form part of a bowel-cleansing programme in conjunction with beneficial bacteria and herbs such as goldenseal. Frequent exercise also lowers oestrogen as well as reduces body fat if overweight.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts have substances that activate liver enzymes and help the liver detoxify chemicals. That allows the liver to eliminate excess oestrogen more effectively. Raw cabbage juice contains indoles that affect oestrogen metabolism and decrease harmful hormones by 50%. Cruciferous vegetables, onions, and carrots also contain sulphorophanes that increase anticancer activity within the cell.
Progesterone levels are likely to be below. Increasing progesterone alleviates PMS and luteal phase deficit. Agnus castus and Life Enhancers are helpful, along with B6 in pyridoxal-5-phosphate.
A salivary hormone assay is a valuable tool for discovering hormone levels before designing a protocol to alter hormone levels.
Colon irrigation and comprehensive consultation with a professional colon hydrotherapist registered with RICTAT and ARCH at the Parkland Clinic in Holborn. We use a closed system only—London’s best colonic hydrotherapy deal.
Series 1 and 3 prostaglandins are anti-inflammatory. Series 2 are considered pro-inflammatory, and an excess of them can cause pain and uterine contractions. They may also contribute to the luteal phase deficit leading to shortened cycles and PMT and paralysing the natural killer cells of the immune system. Increasing omega-three fatty acids in the diet can reduce them, and thus immune function is enhanced, the pain lessened, PMS alleviated, and the natural length of the cycle restored.
Series 1 and 3 prostaglandins increase when we consume the beneficial fats from fish, flax, hemp, pumpkin, walnut, evening primrose and green leafy vegetables. Fish oils reduce endometrial implants in rabbits. Meat, dairy and eggs promote pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Some clients are susceptible to these and may have to avoid them altogether. A client reported her mid-period spotting stopped when she removed dairy from her diet. Avoid margarine, fried food, saturated fat, refined fats and oils (usually labelled pure). Opt for extra virgin or cold-pressed oils. Use olive for cooking because the other oils mentioned are too fragile.
Poor nutrition will undermine the synthesis of fatty acids. For example, vitamins B6, B3 and C, magnesium, zinc and biotin are necessary for converting fats to prostaglandins. Stress, saturated fats, trans fats, alcohol, smoking and sugar also affect this process adversely.
The integrity of cell membranes depends on essential fatty acids. It may be that endometrial cells can only attach to compromised tissue and that a durable cell membrane may prevent them from taking root. A healthy cell membrane helps protect the cell contents from harm, such as free radical damage.
Free radicals are thought to be one of the causes of autoimmune disease and might contribute to endometriosis. Free radicals are destructive molecules from UV light, pollution, illness and smoking. To quench these, we need appropriate antioxidants from vitamins A, C and E, selenium, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, CoQ10, vitamin B complex, and flavonoids, especially proanthocyanidins.
A nutritional programme to control pain should include fish or flax oil, evening primrose oil, vitamins C, E, K and B complex, zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium, bioflavonoids and digestive enzymes. Fresh ginger tea is also effective against pain. Liquidise a two-inch piece, pour boiling water, and leave it steep. Strain and add hot water to taste and a slice of lemon. Enterically-coated capsaicin tablets are also helpful if taken several days before the onset of the pain.
Water
One of the most essential and overlooked contributions to good health is drinking adequate water. People get dehydrated because of central heating, dry food, lack of fresh produce and diuretics like tea and coffee. Many people do not drink plain water at all. Transportation substances in the body and collecting and eliminating toxins and debris require water. So, the policing by the immune system via the blood, lymph and tissue fluids relies on adequate hydration. We should drink a minimum of eight glasses of filtered water each day.
The bikini zone depilation in our clinic in London has long been a standard procedure for women seeking flawless appearance. Removal of unwanted vegetation in the bikini zone is particularly relevant in the summer, during the bathing season. Still, more and more women decide on depilation of the intimate area throughout the year: it is hygienic, sexy, and fashionable.