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Solutions to your tough problems: some women's health issues are difficult to treat. We found the natural answers you've been waiting for - Annual Women's Health Guide
Natural Health, Dec, 2002 by Julia Tolliver Maranan
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when cells from the lining of your uterus migrate to other parts of your body, like your stomach, liver, intestines, bladder, kidneys, or abdominal muscles, and start growing there. Symptoms include painful intercourse, painful periods, pelvic pain, pelvic irritation, and even infertility. Because uterine cells respond to hormones no matter where they are, many endometriosis symptoms come and go with your menstrual cycle. Scientists aren't sure what causes endometriosis, which makes it difficult to cure. However, you can safely and effectively reduce symptoms with natural methods.
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Help Your Uterus with Food. To ease pelvic pain and menstrual cramps, gynecologist Gaudet recommends increasing your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the inflammatory response that exacerbates symptoms. Eat five 3-ounce servings a week of cold-water fish like herring, salmon, or sardines. Or sprinkle 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds on meals each day.
Use Tried-and-True Cramp Treatments. The same remedies that work for menstrual cramps also lessen the pain of endometriosis. Niacin, or vitamin B3, dilates uterine arteries to increase circulation, which relieves cramping. Take 100 mg of niacin every two or three hours while you have pain. It should begin to work within a few hours, says Hudson. (Niacin can cause a feeling of blood rushing to your face, often called a niacin flush. It's safe for most people, but talk to your doctor if you take prescription drugs like heart medications, which can interact with niacin. If your flush bothers you, stop taking niacin.) Instead of niacin, you could try cramp bark (Viburnum opulus), which relaxes uterine muscles and stops spasms. Take 1/2 teaspoon of liquid extract every two to three hours while you have pain. If you have chronic pelvic pain, combining niacin and cramp bark can help. Twice a day, take 100 mg of niacin and 1/2 teaspoon of cramp bark liquid extract. You can take these indefinitely.
Eliminate Stress. Stress increases your body's output of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can exacerbate pain, says Gaudet. So you'll benefit from practicing stress-reducing techniques. For two relaxation exercises, see "Erase Fatigue with Meditation or Yoga," Ask the Experts, page 35.
Try Acupuncture to Balance Hormones. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine report great success in using acupuncture to treat endometriosis, and some evidence supports those claims. A 1997 clinical observation study in Acupuncture and Electrotherapy Research found that electroacupuncture, a variation of traditional acupuncture in which pulses of electric current flow through the needles, may help regulate the release of certain hormones. Balancing hormones may help ease the cyclic problems associated with endometriosis and other gynecological conditions. Additionally, a 1996 Bulgarian study noted that traditional acupuncture effectively relieved menstrual cramps. To find an acupuncturist near you, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (323-937-5514; ww.medicalacupuncture.org).
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