Common Endo Symptoms, Why You Have Them, And What You Can Do About Them
Period Pain, Ovulation Pain, Bloating, Constipation, Fatigue - You know these symptoms are down to your Endometriosis…
But WHY do you get them?
WHAT is actually causing them?
And HOW do you resolve them?
Let’s dive in shall we!
Period Pain
Prostaglandins are hormones-like substances that play a role in immune regulation. They respond to, and create inflammation in the body.
One of their roles is to contract the uterine lining making it shed, but when too many series 2 prostaglandins are present this can lead to painful periods as well as backache, pelvic & leg pain, & bowel irritation (yes, period poops!).
Endo lesions and growths are shown to produce their own prostaglandins, contributing to a larger inflammatory response.
Reducing consumption of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) is by far THE biggest thing that improves my clients period pain. This is because polyunsaturated fats upregulate inflammatory prostaglandins. So, make sure you’re removing foods high in PUFA’s such as sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil, margarine, tinned, jarred, and packaged food and even your omega 3 or fish oil supplement.
Mineral imbalances such as magnesium and calcium should also be considered due to their role in contracting and relaxing muscle tissue.
Magnesium Bisglycinate is a great all round supplement for Endo due to its calming benefits, I highly rate the quality of this brand. Then eating plenty of calcium rich foods like full fat milk, Greek yogurt, cheese, and sardines will help keep your calcium levels in a good place.
Ovulation Pain
Endo lesions, scar tissue, & chocolate cysts on & around the ovaries can flare in response to the rise in oestrogen at ovulation.
Prostaglandins are brought into action to help release the egg from the ovary.
As with period pain, too many prostaglandins can be overwhelming for the local tissues & any endo lesions resulting in cramps, stabbing, bleeding and even urgency in bowel or bladder movements.
Using a castor oil pack leading up to, and during ovulation can be really helpful here.
Using the pack over your liver can help your body deal with the rise on oestrogen, lower any inflammatory response from the prostaglandins, and also offer you some vitamin E which helps mitigate prostaglandin production and also nourish the ovaries in preparation for ovulation.
I would also recommend using the pack over your lower abdomen to lower any localised inflammation, but to also help the blood flow to your pelvic organs which might be struggling in the presence of scar tissue or cysts.
Alternate between your liver and your abdomen 3-4x per week, or everyday if you can manage.
Bloating
An imbalance of gut bacteria can contribute to the reabsorption of oestrogen in the digestive system. This can lead to toxic by products being produced which have been shown to cause that hard, uncomfortable bloated feeling often linked to endometriosis.
High consumption of irritating fibre contributing to gut dysbiosis.
Pelvic organ misalignment such as a tipped uterus, lack of blood flow to the pelvic region, core dysfunction and incorrect breathing patterns can put chronic pressure on your pelvic organs causing them to be pushed into your lower abdomen - hello endo belly & chronic bloating!
Working on your digestive integrity is always the first step, especially when dealing with bloating or IBS symptoms as part of your Endometriosis. There’s a full 2 hour module on gut health inside Beat Your Endo that you have full access to as part of this membership, and it includes self massaged that can help with any pelvic organ misalignment! Start it here.
Constipation
Underactive thyroid is at the root of poor gut motility. Thyroid hormone is a necessity for moving everything through the digestive system efficiently.
Gut dysbiosis such as SIBO can contribute to slow motility and terrible bowel pain.
Mineral imbalances such as sodium, potassium, and even magnesium can play a role in constipation as they are needed for adequate hydration and optimal digestive function.
Low consumption of gentle fibres that nourish the microbiome, optimise motility & a well formed stool (as long as thyroid & hydration are addressed)
It is really important to get the bowels moving to prevent any reabsorption of oestrogen and other toxic waste products. Sometimes coconut water with a splash of pure Aloe Vera juice helps, for some warm lemon and salt water followed by a brisk walk can get things moving, but for more chronic cases maybe a supplement like cascara sagrada or magnesium citrate are needed to get things moving, whilst we deal with the underlying cause (likely thyroid related).
Fatigue
Exhaustion often comes along with a flare, but what about the daily fatigue?
For most, addressing blood sugar dysregulation and nutrient imbalances often resolves fatigue within a matter of weeks, or even days.
Restoring optimal nutrition and focusing on blood sugar regulation allows the body to build resiliency, and this comes down to overall macro balance and nutrient intake. Are you eating enough protein at every meal and are you getting some healthy fats and carbs alongside? Are you prioritising a protein rich breakfast and having your caffeine AFTER food? Are you eating regularly and not letting yourself get too hungry?
It’s not just what you eat, it’s how you structure your meals into your day.
I cover all of this throughout modules 1-5 inside Beat Your Endo - there is SO much valuable knowledge which will lead you to amazing results over the next few weeks.