Endometriosis

Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis.

A woman with endometriosis may have:

• Painful periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation
• Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements
• Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle
  
  

Note: There may be no symptoms. Some women with a large number of tissue implants in their pelvis have no pain at all, while some women with milder disease have severe pain.

Causes

Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors

Every month, a woman's ovaries produce hormones that tell the cells lining the uterus (womb) to swell and get thicker. The body removes these extra cells from the womb lining (endometrium) when you get your period.

If these cells (called endometrial cells) implant and grow outside the uterus, endometriosis results. The growths are called endometrial tissue implants. Women with endometriosis typically have tissue implants on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and on the lining of the pelvic area. They can occur in other areas of the body, too.

Unlike the endometrial cells found in the uterus, the tissue implants outside the uterus stay in place when you get your period. They sometimes bleed a little bit. They grow again when you get your next period. This ongoing process leads to pain and other symptoms of endometriosis.

The Cause of Endometriosis from a Medical Perspective is unknown.

One theory is that the endometrial cells shed when you get your period travel backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and grow. This is called retrograde menstruation. This backward menstrual flow occurs in many women, but researchers think the Immune System may be different in women with endometriosis. Most likely this is due to a “tipped” uterus.

Endometriosis is common. Sometimes, it may run in the family. Although endometriosis is typically diagnosed between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably begins about the time that regular menstruation begins.

A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis is much more likely to develop endometriosis than other women.

You are more likely to develop endometriosis if you:

• Started your period at a young age
• Never had children
• Have frequent periods or they last 7 or more days
• Closed hymen, which blocks the flow of menstrual blood during the period

Traditional Medical Treatment Options and Diagnosis

Treatment depends on the following factors:

• Age
• Severity of symptoms
• Severity of disease
• Whether you want children in the future
  
  

Mild Symptoms

If you have mild symptoms and do not ever want children, you may choose to have regular exams every 6 - 12 months so the doctor can make sure the disease isn't getting worse. You can manage your symptoms by using:

• Exercise and relaxation techniques
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or prescription painkillers to relieve cramping and pain.
  
  

For other women, treatment options include:

• Medications to control pain
• Hormone medications to stop the endometriosis from getting worse
• Surgery to remove the areas of endometriosis or the entire uterus and ovaries
  
  

Treatment to stop the endometriosis from getting worse often involves using birth control pills continuously for 6 - 9 months to stop you from having periods and create a pregnancy-like state. This is called pseudopregnancy. This therapy uses estrogen and progesterone birth control pills. It relieves most endometriosis symptoms. However, it does not prevent scarring or reverse physical changes that have already occurred as the result of the endometriosis.

Other hormonal treatments may include:

• Progesterone pills or injections. However, side effects can be bothersome and include weight gain and depression.
• Gonadotropin-agonist medications such as nafarelin acetate (Synarel) and Depo Lupron to stop the ovaries from producing estrogen and produce a menopause-like state. Side effects include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Treatment is usually limited to 6 months because it can lead to bone density loss. It may be extended up to 1 year in some cases.
  
  

Severe Symptoms

Surgery may be recommended if you have severe pain that does not get better with other treatments. Surgery may include:

• Pelvic laparoscopy or laparotomy to diagnose endometriosis and remove all endometrial implants and scar tissue (adhesions).
• Hysterectomy to remove the womb (uterus) if you have severe symptoms and do not want to have children in the future. One or both ovaries and fallopian tubes may also be removed. If you do not have both of ovaries removed at the time of hysterectomy, your symptoms may return.

Dr. Huntoon's Alternative Medical Treatment Options

Alternative Treatments and Hope

Dr. Huntoon has had quite a number of successful resolutions for Endometriosis.  This involves addressing the tipped uterus that causes reverse menses creating the basis for endometriosis to develop.  Then by addressing the other components associated with the endometriosis has proven to solve this challenging condition.  There is a specific relationship Dr. Huntoon discusses in Dr. Huntoon's Endometiosis Solution Protocol.  Having a Consultation with Dr. Huntoon warrants gaining this understanding BEFORE starting any care.  

Many Holistic practitioners have had success helping women with Endometriosis. Finding a Holistic Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Homeopath or Naturopath and reviewing your condition will be the first step to developing a plan to get to the underlying cause of your endometriosis.  Working with a practitioner who has experience with Endometriosis is vital.  Nutritional supplementation, homeopathic preparations and herbal remedies may be warranted to restore balance to the areas being affected by the condition.

Expectations (prognosis)

When working with an Alternative Treatment, be sure to understand if the tipped uterus is being addressed to allow for normal evacuation of the uterus to take place during menstruation. This will prevent the reverse evacuation of uterine tissue from finding its way into the endometrium. Treatment of this form will prevent complications from developing and allow for normal pregnancy to occur.

By working closely with a Holistic Chiropractor who can help you develop a well-rounded, multifaceted approach to addressing the causes of your endometriosis and reproductive concerns is warranted.  Using specific techniques will help address the tipped uterus and help you resolve your endometriosis.

Hormone therapy and laparoscopy cannot cure endometriosis. However, these treatments can help relieve some or all symptoms in many women for years.

Removal of the womb (uterus), fallopian tubes, and both ovaries (a hysterectomy) gives you the best chance for a cure from a Medical perspective, yet having your reproductive organs removed may hardly seem like a true cure. Rarely, the condition can return. If it does, this was not a cure.

What to Discuss with Your Doctor

Signs and Tests

The healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Tests that are done to help diagnose endometriosis include:

• Pelvic exam
• Transvaginal ultrasound
• Pelvic laparoscopy
  
  

Treatment

Complications

Endometriosis can lead to problems getting pregnant (infertility). Not all women, especially those with mild endometriosis, will have infertility. Medical treatments, including Laparoscopy to remove scarring related to the condition may help improve your chances of becoming pregnant. If it does not, fertility treatments should be considered.

Other complications of endometriosis if not treated properly include:

• Long-term (chronic) pelvic pain that interferes with social and work activities
• Large cysts in the pelvis (called endometriomas) that may break open (rupture)
• In a few cases, endometriosis implants may cause blockages of the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts. This is rare.
• Very rarely, cancer may develop in the areas of endometriosis after menopause.
  
  

Calling your Health Care Provider

Call for an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

• You have symptoms of endometriosis
• Back pain or other symptoms come back after endometriosis is treated
  
  

Consider getting screened for endometriosis if your mother or sister has been diagnosed with endometriosis, or if you are unable to become pregnant after trying for 1 year.

Prevention

Birth control pills may help to slow down the development of the endometriosis.  Unfortunately, taking artificial hormones in an effort to regulate your reproductive system will most likely lead to complications and new problems related to your reproductive system.  Eventually they will recommend you having a complete hysterectomy.  

Medicines Two Choices for You

Prevention and Quick Tips

Dr. Huntoon has had quite a number of successful resolutions for Endometriosis.  This involves addressing the tipped uterus that causes reverse menses creating the basis for endometriosis to develop.  Then by addressing the other components associated with the endometriosis has proven to solve this challenging condition.  There is a specific relationship Dr. Huntoon discusses in Dr. Huntoon's Endometiosis Solution Protocol.  Having a Consultation with Dr. Huntoon warrants gaining this understanding BEFORE starting any care.  

Working closely with a Holistic Chiropractor who can help you develop a well-rounded, multifaceted approach to addressing the causes of your endometriosis and reproductive concerns is recommended. Using one who has experience in treating endometriosis is vital.  With their help, you can restore balance to your body and learn to stay healthy. Developing a healthy lifestyle with proper guidance from your Holistic Chiropractor is the best prevention when considering how to approach your health.