Signs and symptoms of endometriosis

Since everyone’s biochemistry is unique, symptoms can vary between individuals. But with that said, these are the most common signs and symptoms of endometriosis.

• Pelvic pain: Persistent and often severe pelvic pain that intensifies during menstruation is a hallmark symptom of endometriosis.
• Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstrual cramps that can impact your ability to participate in normal daily activities.
• Painful intercourse: Discomfort or pain during sexual activity.
• Heavy periods: Excessive menstrual bleeding that can also be accompanied by clotting.
• Chronic Fatigue: Constant exhaustion that doesn’t let up regardless of where you are at in your cycle.
• Digestive distress: Problems like diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating that increase during menstruation.
• Infertility: Close to 30-50% (4) of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant.
• Lower back pain: Chronic pain in the lower back or legs not caused by any specific activity.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosing endometriosis usually involves a multi-step approach. First, your doctor will go through a comprehensive health history review to determine how many of the common endometriosis symptoms you are experiencing and to what severity. Then if your doctor determines that endometriosis is likely a factor in your health case, they will suggest a minimally invasive surgical producer known as laparoscopy in order to get a definitive diagnosis.

During laparoscopy, a small camera is inserted into your abdomen to determine if you have any endometrial lesions. This gold standard diagnostic tool not only confirms the presence of endometriosis but also assesses the extent and location of abnormal growths in order for your doctor to put together the best plan of action moving forward for healing. 

Conventional treatments for endometriosis

Unlike functional medicine which aims to identify and heal the reason behind the abnormal tissue growth in endometriosis, conventional medicine looks more at managing the symptoms of this condition. Depending on the severity of a person’s endometriosis, there are a few different treatment options that conventional medicine typically relies on:

1. Pain management

Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and opioids, are often used to alleviate the chronic pelvic pain and painful menstruation associated with endometriosis.

2. Hormonal therapies

Hormone-based treatments, such as birth control pills, hormonal IUDs, or hormonal therapy, aim to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce endometrial tissue growth. Although these options can help in these areas, they usually have their own list of side-effects including weight gain, anxiety, depression, and further hormone problems if you ever decide to stop using these treatments.

3. Surgery

In severe cases or when fertility is a concern, laparoscopic surgery known as excision might be recommended to remove endometrial growths. Some doctors may even recommend a hysterectomy in severe cases as a last resort, especially if multiple excisions have already been done.

A functional medicine approach to endometriosis

In functional medicine, we like to go with the treatment plan that results in the least amount of side effects while still offering results. Sometimes conventional treatments fit that description - especially for people needing more immediate relief for extreme cases of endometriosis - but for the most part, functional medicine focuses on addressing the underlying factors so that these more invasive procedures and medications are no longer necessary.

1. Get your hormones tested

Since certain hormone imbalances like estrogen dominance can contribute to endometriosis, getting your hormone levels checked can give you and your doctor a clear picture of what is going on beneath the surface.

To learn more about how to get your hormones tested, check out my article here.

2. Try acupuncture

Studies have found (5) that acupuncture can significantly improve symptoms of endometriosis-related pain including dysmenorrhea. 

3. Manage your stress levels

Chronic stress is linked to a multitude of health problems, endometriosis included, with research showing that higher stress levels were associated with higher (6) chronic endometriosis pain. Breathwork, yoga, and mindfulness practices like meditation are all tools to start implementing in your self-care routine if you are looking to manage your stress levels. In fact, one study even found that Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention (bMBI) improved (7) pain levels and overall mental health as well as, if not more, than conventional medical care.

4. Natural supplements

Deficiencies in certain nutrients like Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and zinc are all linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, making supplementation an important part of an effective endometriosis treatment plan. Studies have also shown (8) that regular supplementation with curcumin, omega-3s, and NAC were all able to decrease the size and recurrence of endometriosis lesions. 

Seeking help from a functional medicine practitioner

Although endometriosis can feel overwhelming, it is important to know that there is hope for healing. From stress management to natural supplements, there are many things you can do to support healing naturally. If you believe endometriosis is a factor in your health case, schedule a telehealth consultation today to learn more about how we can help you with functional medicine.

By running the appropriate lab work to uncover underlying hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, toxin exposure, and more to develop a tailored health plan, created just for you and your body's needs.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

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