Endometriosis (endo) is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus (endometrium) grows outside your uterus. It can affect your ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel or bladder. The pain of endometriosis can be devastating; it is the biggest cause of infertility in women and carries a huge personal and societal burden. Raising awareness and having open conversations, we can support and change that bias.
Endo is often misdiagnosed with the average length of time found to be 8 years after first symptoms present.
Your grandmother may have called this a "bad period,” it was a good chance she was suffering from undiagnosed endometriosis.
Common, but not all, symptoms can include:
- Pain during periods, accompanied by lower back and abdominal pain
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination, usually during your period
- Excessive menstrual bleeding or bleeding in between periods
- Infertility (nearly 40% women with infertility have endometriosis)
- Other signs and symptoms may be experienced during periods, such as fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating
Endometriosis is inflammatory.
Inflammatory chemicals play a role in the growth and development of endometriosis, but endometriosis also releases inflammation into the surrounding areas and triggers an inflammatory reaction from the immune system too.
How can we reduce Inflammation?
Eating a nutrient-dense diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is one of the best ways to reduce inflammation. Antioxidants, which counter-act the inflammatory process of oxidation, are found naturally in vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables.
Keeping pro-inflammatory foods like sugar and alcohol to special occasions also makes a huge difference.
Can Supplements help?
No matter how healthy we try to be we don't always get enough absorption from our daily food intakes. Many New Zealanders have mineral deficiencies such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A, C and E to name a few.
When a chronic problem like endometriosis is evident, the body is put under extra strain and needs help to function efficiently. Taking a dietary supplement may therefore be helpful to improve general wellbeing.
At Pure Vitality we place a huge importance on women’s health and have products specifically to support women’s fertility, libido, stress and hormones.
Products such as:
Her Vigor Vitality - when it comes to hormone supplements for women, this advanced formula contains the best vitamins for hormone balance and enhancing desire, mood, stamina and energy.
Zinc mineral drops - Zinc is a trace mineral, meaning that the body only needs small amounts, and yet it is necessary for almost 100 enzymes to carry out vital chemical reactions. It is a major player in the creation of DNA, growth of cells, building proteins, healing damaged tissue, and supporting a healthy immune system.
Joint Vitality - Advanced joint support - powerful natural herbs that assist in relief of inflammation. This supplement combines tonics which supports overall vitality, energy and life force, healthy heart function and blood pressure.
Magnesium Citrate - Magnesium is a mineral that is required for energy production and metabolism, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and bone formation and development.
Boron mineral drops - helps balance pH levels in the body this mineral nutrient is known to support several biochemical processes, calcium and magnesium acceptance in the body and utilization.
Selenium drops - one of selenium’s most important roles from a human nutrition perspective is as an antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage from free radicals.
To bring awareness to Endometriosis Month, with every order in March, receive a free bottle of ‘Pure Vitality, Her Vitality 40+’
The free bottle will automatically be added to your cart with any purchase this month, however, if you don’t wish to receive the free bottle, you can cross it out of your cart.
Seeking more help?
Keeping a diary of your symptoms can also be helpful with your diagnosis.
Let's help end the Endo stigma and suffering.
References:
- Sacco K, et al. The role of prostaglandin E2 in endometriosis. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28(2):134-138. doi:doi: 10.3109/09513590.2011.588753
- Ahn S, et al. Pathophysiology and Immune Dysfunction in Endometriosis. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/795976
- Managing Endo | Self Management | Endometriosis New Zealand (nzendo.org.nz)