Endometriosis

May 31

I see a lot of women in my clinic with endometriosis!

They are told that they need pain killers to manage their symptoms, there is no cure and surgery is the only other alternative. The pill ‘will balance your hormones’ and lower the excess Oestrogen levels. The pill will certainly not balance your hormones, it can’t. All it does is turn off your cycle, dampening the hormones, which unfortunately causes a whole lot of disruption to our health. Because NEWSFLASH, your hormones are not just for your menstrual cycle… they are needed for your whole body! from bone health, to the functioning of your heart your nervous system and sleep!

Well this is probably what your doctor didn't tell you…

That you can heal Endometriosis. Let’s discuss it in detail.

what is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a VATA condition in Ayurveda. It is an immune condition, which starts in the gut like most autoimmune conditions.

It is caused by ‘leaky gut’ poor Agni, a disrupted gut and microbiome and is aggravated by excess Oestrogen levels in the body.

This is the very process whereby all chronic disease, including Endometriosis is created. IT ALWAYS STARTS IN THE GUT.

In the case of Endometriosis, chronic toxin accumulation ’ama’ in the reproductive tissue irritates the tissue into responses that result in the slow accumulation of excess tissue. Since the accumulation of ama is the underlying factor here, it is vital to stop the process of ama creation and accumulation. This can be done through various means including: improving digestion by regulating the digestive fire (Agni), eating foods that are nourishing and easy to digest, ensuring proper elimination and by balancing the mind.

SYMPTOMS

🍋 Abdominal pain

🍋 Bloating, swollen abdomen, gas

🍋 Back pain

🍋 Depression

🍋 Insomnia, Lethagy, Fatigue

🍋 Ovulation Pain

🍋 Pain during sex

🍋Pain with bowel movement (going to the toilet)

🍋 PMS (due to excess Oestrogen and Low Progesterone)

🍋 Referred pain in shoulder blades and around the front to neck and collar bones

THEME = PAIN

WHY AM I IN SO MUCH PAIN?

Endometrial tissue starts growing in locations outside the womb/uterus.This could be on the ovaries, fallopian tubes (oviducts) bladder, bowel, and other structures in the abdominal cavity, sometimes although rare it can be in the nasal (nose) and respiratory sites lungs) leading to monthly nose bleeds and pink sputum (spit).

This displaced tissue still responds to cyclic hormonal changes, proliferating and shedding just like the tissue in your womb space. Essentially having a ‘Period’ wherever there is Endometrial tissue, which causes a lot of inflammation and pain as this irritates the local tissues.

AYURVEDA

In Ayurveda we discuss the ‘five elements’ and ‘three dosas’ which are the life forces that govern us. It can be a hard concept to understand at first but actually once you get it it all makes sense.

In Endometriosis, Vata (ether and air) is pushing Pitta (fire) , which is pushing Kapha (water and earth) out of balance.

The primary dosha out of balance and the root of the condition is VATA, due to the growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. Vata is all about displacement and irregularity.

When Vata is disrupted, the natural flow of Apana Vata downward energy which is responsible for all downward action (urination, defecation, flatuation, menstruation, and childbirtth). Instead of flowing down it starts to flow upwards. This is like associated with Retrograde menstruation.

Retrograde menstruation is a process where menstrual blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity, and is considered the most widely accepted theory for the development of endometriosis, as the endometrial cells in this blood can implant on pelvic organs and grow, causing the characteristic lesions of the disease; essentially, it's when menstrual tissue "backs up" into the pelvic area instead of exiting the body.

The obstruction of ‘Apana Vata’ which holds Pitta (blood) and causes it to move up. Pitta then becomes vitiated causing heavy bleeding and inflammation. This pitta vitiation creates an irritation which induces kapha to enter to provide comfort by coating the irritated area. The kapha influence then causes a buildup of cells and overgrowth - adhesions and endometrial tissue growth.

conventional TREATMENT

Usually pain killers such as NSAID’s are prescribed which support the client through the pain, although in the long run, these actually make the condition worse as they lower stomach acid and disrupt the gut, causing further problems.

Surgery is another alternative removing the excess tissue, but again this isn’t getting to the root of the issue.

NATURAL TREATMENT

🕊️ Healing the gut is key! enkindling Agni, strengthening the digestive fire, resolving inflammation, healing leaky gut, tightening up the gut junctions and looking at what we consume. Limiting Vata aggravating foods and lifestyle. We cover this in our workshop The Role of the Gut and explore how to look after your gut. This is extensively covered in Module 3 - SHAMANA

The gut also metabolises Oestrogen - ‘Estrobolome’. (The estrobolome is the collection of genes in gut bacteria that metabolise estrogen. It's part of the gut microbiome.

So when the gut is functioning better then Oestrogen will be metabolised and this will also support healing Endometriosis.

🕊️Removing Excess oestrogen from your environment is essential - looking at Hormone Disruptors and ‘Xenoestrogens’.

All of which we do in THE ART OF WOMAN PROGRAMME and as an ARTÁ MEMBER you will complete Module 3 - SHAMANA - which would suit removing the excess Oestrogen build up associated with Endometriosis.

🕊️Learning your Ayurvedic dosha and understanding what foods put you in and out of balance which we cover in Module 2 - SAMA

🕊️ Mineral levels, Magnesium is essential! Epsom salt baths. We explore Replenishment in our Ancestral Nutrition workshop.

🕊️Lowering stress levels associated with chronic stress and learning rejuvenating rituals to cope with stress. Plant medicine for female biology specifically adaptogenic herbs to work on the HPA axis and build resilience to stress.

We do this in Module 4 - RASAYANA

🕊️Herbs to balance Oestrogen levels, increase Progesterone, heal the gut, support the liver, increase mineral content.