If you're tired of hearing phrases like "It's all in your head" or "It's normal for a woman to suffer", then you're exactly in the right place.
Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple symptoms
Here is the list of 9 symptoms, then discover all the information by symptom, and how to relieve them:
- Menstrual pain
- Heavy periods
- Chronic fatigue
- Digestive troubles
- Dyspareunia
- Neuropathic pain
- Urinary troubles
- Lower back pain
- Infertility
1. Menstrual pain
Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, is often the first alarming sign of endometriosis, manifesting as acute pelvic cramps that can far exceed the usual discomfort of menstruation. The first reflex is to consult your doctor.
- Micro-nutrition for relieving menstrual pain
Micro-nutrition offers interesting ways to manage menstrual pain. A diet rich in magnesium, for example, can help relax the muscles of the uterus and reduce cramps. Foods like spinach, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate are excellent sources of magnesium!
- Complementary Approaches to Relieve Menstrual Pain
Besides nutrition, several non-drug methods can be used to relieve menstrual pain:
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Heat: Applying heat to the lower abdomen with a hot water bottle provides immediate relief from cramps by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscles. I dreamed of wearing my hot water bottle discreetly under my clothes, so with Le Lab de l'Endo, I created the new generation belt hot water bottle! No more grandma's hot water bottle!
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CBD: A powerful anti-inflammatory, this 100% natural plant works wonders for menstrual pain. Especially when combined in a massage with a balm, at the right concentration of suitable essential oils, and arnica.
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Yoga and physical exercises: Some yoga poses are specifically designed to relieve pelvic pain and improve circulation in the pelvic region.
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Relaxation techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can help manage pain by reducing stress, which is often an aggravating factor of dysmenorrhea.
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Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese practice has been recognized for its effectiveness in pain management and can be an interesting option for women suffering from menstrual pain related to endometriosis.
In addition to this holistic approach, we also create natural products with the most concentrated formulations on the market for your symptoms, tested and approved by thousands of women suffering from endometriosis:
2. Heavy periods
When to worry?
Micro-nutrition for relieving heavy periods
Micro-nutrition plays a key role in managing heavy periods. Incorporating iron-rich foods is essential to counter iron-deficiency anemia often associated with this symptom. Red meats, legumes, spinach, and dried fruits are excellent sources of iron. Also, consider pairing these foods with sources of vitamin C (such as citrus fruits, berries, and peppers) to improve iron absorption.
Approaches in Naturopathy to relieve heavy periods
In naturopathy, several remedies can be considered to relieve heavy periods. Turmeric, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, can be a valuable ally. Consumed as a dietary supplement or integrated into the diet, it helps regulate menstrual flow and combat inflammation.
Yarrow is another plant known for its hemostatic (reducing bleeding) and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used in tea and helps to balance the menstrual cycle while reducing the intensity of bleeding.
3. Chronic fatigue
It affects more than 80% of women suffering from endometriosis!
- Micro-Nutrition to Relieve Chronic Fatigue
Micro-nutrition is your best ally in this battle. Foods rich in iron, magnesium, and B vitamins can give you an energy boost. Consider incorporating spinach (yes, like Popeye), nuts, lentils, and fruits rich in vitamin C into your diet to enhance iron absorption. And why not a piece of dark chocolate for the road? It's good for morale and health!
- The movement to relieve your fatigue
The exercise may seem counterintuitive when you feel exhausted, but a short walk in the fresh air or a gentle yoga session can really help recharge your batteries.
4. Digestive troubles
Endobelly, related to inflammation, affects over 90% of women suffering from endometriosis!
Micro-nutrition to relieve your digestive disorders
A diet rich in fiber will help you regulate your digestion:
- Leafy green vegetables: spinach, collard greens, kale. Not only rich in fiber, but also in vitamins and minerals.
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, beans (black, red, white) if you digest them well. Excellent sources of fiber and protein.
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds. They provide both fiber and essential fatty acids.
- Whole fruits: apples, pears, berries, oranges. Whole fruits are preferable to juices to benefit from all the fiber. Consume outside of meals if you have trouble digesting.
- Whole grains: oats, quinoa, bulgur, brown rice. Choose whole grains rather than refined versions to maximize fiber intake.
- Tubers: sweet potatoes, potatoes with skin. The skin of tubers is particularly rich in fiber.
- Cruciferous: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts. These vegetables not only provide fiber but also beneficial compounds for health.
- Rich in probiotics: kimchi, lacto-fermented vegetables, kefir, or kombucha
- The movement for digestive disorders
Prioritize abdominal breathing as much as possible. And practice stomach vacuum exercises daily. As well as self-massage of the belly, it changes your life! If you don't know anything about it, don't worry, I guide you with tutorials in my support to soothe you with endometriosis.
- Phytotherapy to combat constipation and endobelly
5. Dyspareunias
Dyspareunia, the pain felt during or after sexual intercourse, can sometimes make you think that your body has decided to turn love into an obstacle course. Between the deep pain, which seems to explore the depths of your being, and the superficial pain, which makes you wince right from the start, intimacy becomes a trial of emotional and physical hurdles!
Our podcast episode endo & sexo.
- 1st step: listen to your body
First, remember that your body is not the enemy. It is simply trying to tell you something. Listening to these signals without judgment can be the first step towards a solution. It is essential to communicate with your partner about how you feel.
- 2nd step: deconstruct sexuality, reinvent the relationship beyond penetration-centered
There is so much to say that we even made a podcast episode with Sylvain to share our experience, after managing to achieve a peaceful intimate relationship despite the pain of endometriosis.
- 3rd step: The importance of taking time
Prolonged foreplay, to give your body about twenty minutes, the time it needs to achieve lubrication, the necessary arousal for less pain, but also the use of CBD-based intimate oil to lubricate while promoting relaxation and relieving pain, and finding less painful positions can significantly improve your experience.
For example, positions where you control the angle and depth of penetration can help reduce pain. And if the decrease in libido also becomes an obstacle, we have created precisely for this issue this formula based on 4 naturally aphrodisiac plants to help you regain the desire to want!
- 4th step: When to consult?
If the pain persists, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare professional. A physiotherapist or midwife specialized in perineal rehabilitation can help you find the adapted therapeutic treatments to relieve your pain. Consulting a sexologist can provide you with personalized advice tailored to relieve dyspareunia.
6. Neuropathic pain
Tingling, burning, or even electric shocks are the symptoms described during these neuropathic pain attacks...
These symptoms may be felt in the legs, in the shoulder, in the pelvic region, in the lower back...
Techniques for Reducing Neuropathic Pain
To alleviate these intense pains, several techniques:
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Acupressure: Consulting in Chinese medicine can help you better understand the points that can specifically relieve these pains related to nervous system dysfunction.
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Movement Therapy: Movement therapies with yoga or physiotherapy can help relieve tension and improve circulation.
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Relaxation techniques: Meditation and deep breathing are your allies to reset and reduce stress.
- The most effective natural plant for this type of pain: With the ultra-concentrated CBD balm, it allows massaging any area affected by neuropathic pain. Internally, the gummies or the CBD oils allow you to benefit from the effects of CBD to reduce inflammation associated with neuropathic pain throughout the body.
Consult for your neuropathic pain
If the pain persists, it is time to consult a specialist. A healthcare professional can guide you towards the right medical treatment.
7. Urinary problems
Consulting a urologist for a urinary assessment can be a good start to understand the exact functioning of your urinary disorders.
Then, perineal rehabilitation can be a valuable ally. It allows you to regain control of these muscles often strained by endometriosis. A specialized physiotherapist can support you in this process, teaching you to harmonize your body and bladder.
In addition, having sessions with a Uro Stim 2 device at home regularly can really help to complete the work.
8. Lower back pain
The movement to relieve your lower back pain
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Yoga and stretching: Certain yoga poses are specifically designed to relieve tension in the lower back. The Child's Pose, for example, relaxes the lower back and hips, areas often tense in people suffering from endometriosis.
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Physiotherapy and osteopathy: These therapies offer manual techniques to relax pelvic muscles, improve tissue mobility, and reduce pain.
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Pilates: Pilates is particularly useful for people suffering from lower back pain, as it helps to strengthen the core muscles, thus providing better support to the spine.
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Self-massage: Using a massage balm enriched with CBD, essential oils, and arnica can offer direct relief in case of lower back pain. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while arnica helps reduce pain and essential oils can relax tense muscles.
9. Infertility
Infertility is a delicate chapter in the book of endometriosis, affecting many women who struggle with this disease. Although not all women with endometriosis are infertile, the disease can complicate conception, sometimes sowing doubts and frustrations on the path to motherhood.
Understanding the impact of endometriosis on fertility
Endometriosis can affect fertility in several ways, including the formation of adhesions that disrupt pelvic anatomy or inflammation that affects the quality of eggs, sperm mobility, or even embryo implantation.
What solutions to support fertility?
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Specialized medical care: Consulting a fertility specialist who understands the challenges related to endometriosis is crucial. Options such as ovarian stimulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be considered depending on your specific situation.
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Endometriosis Surgery: In some cases, a surgical procedure to remove endometriotic lesions can improve the chances of natural conception or increase the effectiveness of fertility treatments.
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Inflammation Management: Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber can help reduce pelvic inflammation and promote a more conducive environment for conception.
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Emotional and Physical Support: Infertility can be an emotionally challenging journey. Support from therapists, support groups, and a healthy lifestyle, including yoga and meditation, can help manage stress and maintain a favorable hormonal balance.
- Other holistic approaches: Complementary medicines, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, and Chinese medicine, can help stimulate fertility through various techniques.
In conclusion: better understanding endometriosis is essential for better relieving your symptoms
Endometriosis often requires us to become experts of our own bodies, learning to listen to its signals and respond to its specific needs. This may involve working closely with a team of healthcare professionals, exploring different therapeutic approaches, and connecting with a support community that can offer understanding and comfort.
Together, let's move forward step by step towards a better understanding and management of endometriosis, keeping hope and determination as our most faithful companions on the journey.
This article is not intended for treatment purposes and does not replace medical advice.
If you notice any symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor directly.
Endometriosis: Better understand your symptoms to better relieve them
Chronic Fatigue & Endometriosis