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your health

Endometriosis

Women who experience terrible period pains may be suffering from endometriosis. This is a condition where there is abnormal growth of endometrial cells, usually in the pelvic area. During a regular cycle, the cells in the uterus grow in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If an egg is not fertilised, the cells shed and this is the normal menses. However, in the case of endometriosis, the abnormal cells are still affected by the hormones, and grow as a result, but as they are outside the uterus, they have no escape from the body. The blood from these cells often accumulates and must be absorbed from surrounding tissue. This is a much slower and often painful process.

Growths of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity are usually found in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic floor, bowel, bladder, within the uterine musculature and in the membrane that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity. The tissues can attach to these other organs and cause various symptoms. These can include horrendous pain in the uterus, the lower back, vomiting, constipation, painful intercourse, excessive bleeding, pain on passing stool or urine, and sometimes infertility, especially if there is scarring. Sometimes the blood forms into cysts, and if one of these ruptures, the pain can be agonizing.

There are several theories as to why endometriosis happens. One is the thought that blood is pushed up the wrong way into the uterus through tampons, intercourse during menses or use of the coil. Another is that certain women are born with the condition, and it only becomes apparent at puberty when the reproductive hormones become active. Finally, there is the theory that the rise in endometriosis is a result of dioxins and PCBs. Frighteningly, dioxins are chlorinated hydrocarbons and are found in feminine hygiene products as a consequence of the bleaching process.

Orthodox options for treating endometriosis include drugs, surgery to remove the tissue, which often leaves some behind, and hysterectomy. Complementary therapies such as homeopathy and acupuncture are worth trying before resorting to lifetime medication or surgery. It may be a wise move to change products to an unbleached version. Natracare makes safe, perfectly adequate products, and are available at health stores and locally in Waitrose.

© Adrianna Holman Registered Homeopath (RSHom)

 
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