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Endometriosis is a common yet poorly understood disease. It can strike women of any
ocioeconomic class, age, or race. It is estimated that between 10 and 20
percent of American women of childbearing age have endometriosis. While some women with endometriosis may
have severe pelvic pain, others who have the condition have no symptoms. Nothing about
endometriosis is simple, and there are no absolute cures. The disease can affect a woman's
whole existence-her ability to work, her ability to reproduce, and her relationships with her mate,
her child, and every one around her. Endometrial tissue residing outside the uterus responds to the menstrual cycle in a way that is similar to the way endometrium usually responds in the uterus. At the end of every cycle, when hormones cause the uterus to shed its endometrial lining, endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus will break apart and bleed. However, unlike menstrual fluid from the uterus, which is discharged from the body during menstruation, blood from the misplaced tissue has no place to go. Tissues surrounding the area of endometriosis may become inflamed or swollen. The inflammation may produce scar tissue around the area of endometriosis. These endometrial tissue sites may develop into what are called "lesions," "implants," "nodules," or "growths." Endometriosis is most often found in the ovaries, on the fallopian tubes, and the ligaments
supporting the uterus, in the internal area between the vagina and rectum, on the outer surface
of the uterus, and on the lining of the pelvic cavity. Infrequently, endometrial growths are found
on the intestines or in the rectum, on the bladder, vagina, cervix, and vulva
(external genitals), or in abdominal surgery scars. Very rarely, endometrial growths have been found outside the
abdomen, in the thigh, arm, or lung. Physicians may use stages to describe the severity of
endometriosis. Endometrial implants that are small and not widespread are considered minimal
or mild endometriosis. Moderate endometriosis means that larger implants or more extensive
scar tissue is present. Severe endometriosis is used to describe large implants
and extensive scar tissue. The amount of pain is not always related to the severity of the disease-some women with severe
endometriosis have no pain; while others with just a few small growths have incapacitating pain.
Endometrial cancer is very rarely associated with endometriosis, occurring in less than 1
percent of women who have the disease. When it does occur, it is usually
found in more advanced patches of endometriosis in older women and the long-term outlook in these unusual
cases is reasonably good. Whatever the cause of endometriosis, its progression is influenced by various stimulating
factors such as hormones or growth factors. In this regard, investigators are
studying the role of the immune system in activating cells that may secrete factors which, in turn, stimulate
endometriosis. The laparoscopy will show the locations, extent, and size of the growths and will help the patient and her doctor make better-informed decisions about treatment. Endometriosis is a long-standing disease that often develops slowly. What Is The Treatment? It is important to remember that Danazol treatment is unsafe if there is any chance that a
woman is pregnant. A fetus accidentally exposed to this drug may develop
abnormally. For this same reason, although pregnancy is not likely while a woman is taking this drug, careful use of
a barrier birth control method such as a diaphragm or condom is essential during this treatment. These hormones are currently being tested using different methods of administration. One such treatment involves a drug that is administered as a nasal spray twice daily for 6 months and works by suppressing production of estrogen, which controls the growth of the endometrial tissue. Other treatments being developed in this category include daily or monthly hormone injections. One concern is the loss of bone mineral which occurs with this type of hormone therapy. This may limit the duration and frequency of this type of treatment. While pregnancy rates for women with fertility problems resulting from endometriosis are fairly good with no therapy and with only a trial waiting period, there may be women who need more aggressive treatment. Those women who are older and who feel the need to become pregnant more quickly or those women who have severe physical changes due to the disease, may consider surgical treatment. Also, women who are not interested in pregnancy, but who have severe, debilitating pain, may also consider surgery. Conservative surgery attempts to remove the diseased tissue without risking damage to healthy surrounding tissue. This surgery is called laparotomy and is performed in a hospital under anesthesia. Pregnancy rates are highest during the first year after surgery, as recurrences of endometriosis are fairly common. The specifics of the surgery should be discussed with a doctor. Some patients may need more radical surgery to correct the damage caused by untreated endometriosis. Hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries may be the only treatment possible if the ovaries are badly damaged. In some cases, hysterectomy alone without the removal of the ovaries may be reasonable. New surgical treatments are being developed that further utilize the laparoscope instead of full abdominal surgery. During routine laparoscopy, the surgeon can cauterize small areas of endometriosis. Other evolving techniques include using a laser during laparoscopy to vaporize abnormal tissue. This involves a shorter recovery time. Laparoscopy treatment is possible, however, only if the surgeon can see pelvic structures clearly through the laparoscope. These newer techniques should be performed by surgeons specializing in such delicate procedures. Although these techniques are promising, more study is needed to determine if they yield results comparable to conventional surgical management. Natural Treatments: Supplement the diet with vitamin C, vitamin B-6, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, essential fatty acids such linoleic acid, and evening primrose oil. Avoid caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and acid-forming foods (red meat, dairy products, heated or treated oils, and excess carbohydrates, especially refined products). Try a short juice fast to clear out the body, and follow up with cultured foods such as miso or tempeh, unless you have a food allergy to soy products. After cleansing the body, plenty of fresh greens, fresh fruits in season, and a reasonable quantity of whole grains provide strength. Include changes to stabilize hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as eating smaller meals. As always, eating little or no animal fat decreases harmful excess estrogen. The following food items are especially good: Soybean (Glycine max) and Other Beans: Soybeans are high in estrogen-like plant compounds, genistein and daidzein. These prevent your body from taking up the more harmful forms of estrogen circulating in your blood. These phytoestrogens take the place of the bad estrogen, binding to the cell's estrogen receptor sites and prevent more harmful estrogens from binding to these receptors. They also protect the body from pollutants that chemically mimic estrogen. Bean sprouts supply more genistein (the more active of the two phytoestrogens) than soybeans. As beans germinate, their genistein content increases. If the sprouts have fungi, the genistein content may increase as much as hundred-fold! Pinto beans, yellow split beans, black turtle beans, lima beans, anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, black eyed peas, mung beans, adzuki beans and fava beans are other sources of these important phytoestrogens. If you have endometriosis, eat as much edible beans as possible as often as possible. Eat salds made of bean sprouts. Take bean soups, baked beans, and Mexican foods rich in beans such as burritos. Flax (linum Usitatissimum) Flaxseed contains generous amounts of compounds called lignans, that is believed to help control endometrial cancer. Flaxseed might be particularly helpful for anyone who is not a vegetarian, Vegetarians have high blood and urine levels of lignans. Consuming meat suppresses lignans substantially. Flaxseed helps to supplement this deficit. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Peanuts contain many of the healthful substances as soybeans and other beans. Many people prefer the taste of peanuts over soybeans. The papery red membrane surrounding spanish peanuts is a source for oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), substances that may help control hormone dependent cancers and possibly endometriosis. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens. Use them liberally on salads. Eating them also reduces the risk of contracting cancer. (Do not consume alfalfa if you or your family has a history of lupus.) Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis): EPO contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and tryptophan, substances that promote good health in women. - 150 microgramsliquid potassium: taken in recommended doses - 3 times a day vitamin E: 8-1 0 milligrams alpha-TE (alpha tocopherol equivalent) - may use 200-600 IU (up to 1,200 IU maximum)magnesium - 400 milligrams - 800 milligrams - 800 RE (retinol equivalent); may use 5,000 IU (up to 50,000 IU for four months or less) - 10 RE; may use 400 IU (up to 1,000 IU maximum) - 300 milligrams (up to 1 0 grams)GLA - Gamma-Linolenic Acid - eight 500 milligram capsules per day for six to ten weeks, if women can afford this dose (most effective) |
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Clark & Company *These statements have
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The name endometriosis comes from the word
"endometrium," the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. If a woman is not pregnant this tissue
builds up and is shed each month. It is discharged as menstrual flow at the end of each
cycle. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue is found outside the
uterus, usually inside the abdominal cavity. 
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