Home remedies for endometriosis are part of the conservative approaches that are taken to treat it. Depending on the severity of the condition medication or surgery is decided by the doctor, but most doctors begin treatment of endometriosis with the conservative approach of medication . Surgery is rare and is done in extreme cases.
Statistically, there is a one in ten chance of you facing endometriosis, if you are a woman of fertile age and specifically of the age between 25-40 .
Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that makes up the inside surface of the uterus (endometrium), grows outside the uterine cavity affecting ovaries, bowel and tissues lining the pelvis .
Actual cause of endometriosis is still unknown, however there is a possibility of trapped menstrual blood flow might be responsible for it. The logic is that endometriosis follows menstrual cycle and it grows, thickens and breaks down due to hormonal changes in the body.
As the trapped menstrual blood can not exit the body, it causes irritation and formation of scars and adhesion resulting in severe pain during periods. In addition, endometriosis can, but not always, cause fertility problems.
Chinese and Koreans have linked endometriosis with liver malfunctioning to control estrogen release. Therefore, Asian remedies lean more towards improving liver conditions to cure endometriosis .
It not only affects menstruation but also causes sharp pain during ovulation and pain during sexual intercourse. You may also feel painful bowel movements, fatigue, swollen abdomen and digestive problems and nausea due to endometriosis.
Endometriosis condition generally improves when menopause begins. Home remedies are helpful in alleviating endometriosis pain and cramps.
Every health condition requires some readjustments to lifestyle, endometriosis is no exception. These lifestyle changes will go a long way in reducing pain and cramping as well as reducing the severity of endometriosis.
- Reduce Stress - Do yoga and meditation or any other stress relieving activities.
- Stop Smoking - Improve oxygen supply by stop smoking
- Stop Alcohol - Stop alcohol or any other substance that has a bad effect on liver functioning.
- Avoid Soy - Do not eat soy products. Soy contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body. They can cause major hormone instability worsening the endometriosis.
- Avoid Fatty Foods - Reduce weight and avoid all junk and fatty foods to stay healthy
- Exercise - Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming are enough. Do anything that makes you feel good and relaxed.
5 Home Remedies for Endometriosis
Curing endometriosis requires nutrients that heal the liver, while keeping inflammation low, and flushing any toxins out of the body. Here are 5 home remedies for endometriosis sufferers to get immediate and long term relief from pain and discomfort.
1. Pelvic Massage
The first step in endometriosis pain reduction is to do pelvic massage. The massage will relax muscles in the surrounding area and sooth minor pain. Begin to do massage a week before your menstrual cycle is likely to begin. Do not do pelvic massage during menstruation. You will certainly feel less endometriosis pain if not completely gone.
- Lie down flat on your back in your bed and stretch your body
- Apply any oil on your choice with a few drops of any essential oil
- Rub the lower abdomen and pelvic area in circular motion for 10-15 minutes.
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil is a powerful home remedy for endometriosis pain relief. It works on excess tissues and toxins to reduce the impact of endometriosis formation during the menstrual cycle. It is a time bound remedy. Use it when the first signs of endometriosis cramps begin. Like massage you will not use it during the menstrual period.
- Mildly soak a clean washcloth in castor oil
- Squeeze out the excess oil from the cloth
- Warm the washcloth in microwave
- Put the warm castor oil soaked washcloth on your lower abdomen covering pelvic area
The cloth will lose its warmth soon. So put a warm compress over the cloth. You can place a warm water bottle on the cloth to keep the washcloth warm. The warmness and caster oil on the skin surface reduces cramps and pain of endometriosis. You can do it daily until the menstrual cycle begins. A 30-60 minutes exposure to castor oil soaked warm cloth is enough.
2. Alternate Warm and Cold Bath
This pain relieving process for endometriosis requires a little bit of resource mobilization. You need two tubs in which your half body can be immersed in a sitting position.
- Add warm water to one tub and cold in the other
- Sit in the warm tub first for 5minutes
- Move yourself to the cold water tub and sit there for 5minutes
- Go back to sit in the warm the warm water tub with fresh supply of water and sit for another 5 minutes before going and sitting to cold water tub again
- Repeat the cycle 3-4 times to soak yourself alternatively in warm and cold water for 30-40 minutes.
The hot water relaxes the pelvic muscles and the cold water reduces inflammation as a result you will not complain of endometriosis symptoms.
3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids will slow down the growth of abnormal endometrial tissue and reduce inflammation caused by endometriosis. Omega 3 fatty acids are available in both sea foods and plant based vegetables. They also help the body to eliminate harmful toxins.
Flaxseeds and walnuts are great plant based source of Omega 3 fatty acids which will reduce your endometriosis pain and cramps with ease.
- Grind fresh powder of Flaxseeds and sprinkle over your salads or add to yogurt.
- Eat one tablespoon of flaxseed powder daily.
- Eat handful of walnuts daily
Do not prepare a powder in advance and store it. The stored flaxseed powder loses Omega 3. Always use freshly ground flaxseed powder otherwise you will not get the pain relief from endometriosis.
Salmon and tuna fish are also good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Eat these fishes daily or alternate days but do not fry otherwise you will lose Omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Folate
Deficiency of folic acid can aggravate endometriosis. Any food containing folic acid will help reduce pain and cramps caused by endometriosis.
Most dark green vegetables are rich in folate. Your best choices can be broccoli and spinach. Dried legumes are also a good source of folate and you can consume chickpeas, beans and lentils to get required doses of folic acid.
- Add broccoli in your daily salad
- Drink Spinach juice
- Add legumes in your daily diet
5. Ginger
Ginger possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used in reducing various kinds of inflammations and relieving menstrual cramps. Endometriosis causes nausea and ginger is the best remedy for nausea. Ginger also cleans the liver of toxins.
It also relieves the nausea that can occur with endometriosis. Plus, it plays a major role in clearing the liver of excess toxins.
- Add 1 inch of grated ginger root in a glass of water and boil it for 10 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool to acceptable temperatures
- Strain and drink the ginger tea
- Add honey and lemon if you want to improve taste
Endometriosis is a condition that will require extra precautions just before the menstrual cycle begins. With good diet and precautions as explained above you will be able to get rid of your endometriosis pains and cramps and lead a comfortable menstrual cycle.