Natural Treatment Options for Endometriosis

Updated on January 31, 2011
C.M. asks from Beloit, WI
16 answers

To make a long story somewhat shorter, I've been having lower right back pain for more than a year. A little after that started, I started have sharp pains in my pelvis during my period especially during BM and urination. MY OBGYN said it was just painful periods. After going back 2-3 times, he finally brought up doing a laparascopy. Yet he didn't seem to believe that it could be endometriosis. I had the laparascopy done about 2 weeks ago and he found several spots of endo that he cauterized. The next day after the surgery, I got my period and oh boy was it painful. I know that I'm still "healing" cause I'm post-op but ever since the surgery I've been having pelvic pain during BM and urination all the time, not just with the period. A week after the surgery I went back into my OBGYN for a followup and he wasn't convinced that the pain I've been having is from the endometriosis (basically all coincidence). Since I can't take BC pills or do the depo shot, he didn't leave me with many choices. Actually he didn't leave me with any choices. I've got no followup, no pain meds, no options to keep the pain away. Besides being pretty disappointed in him, now I'm trying to find some natural treatment that could help with the pain I'm having. Does anyone have any ideas?

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

C., I can personally recommend Tom Masbaum. He is an Advanced EFT practitioner who is so successful he offers a money back guarantee. www.EFT-Tom.com EFT offers relief where nothing else will. It is based on the discovery that emotional issues and/or trauma cause an energy imbalance and EFT restores the balance thereby restoring well-being. ###-###-####

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B.Z.

answers from Chicago on

The bleeding post-op can last about 2 weeks. However, by now, the pain from endometriosis and surgery should subside. When you say "several spots" of endo, were the lesions scarred or connecting any of your body parts together? If not, you probably would have only experienced pain with hormonal changes (i.e. periods), not with BMs or sex. Of course, anything is possible. I feel that, assuming the surgery was done right and your doc didn't have to poke and prod too much to check out other organs for stage 3 or 4 endo, you would be feeling 100% at the end of 4 weeks.

Is there a genetic link of endo to someone in your family? Perhaps an aunt who never bore children, a cousin who always complained of terrible periods, etc? I had it linked to both sides of my family, and to date am the only of my parents' 4 girls to have endo.

One disease that seems to be similar to endo symptoms is interstitial cystitis. I remember one woman telling her story about how she had a few endo spots, treated endo hormonally for years (which would not allow her to bear children), and later found out it was IC. Oops! It's possible that THIS is your issue, and that would explain the concerns with your back (kidney area) and pain with urination. I don't think it can be seen during the abdominal laparoscopy, but I am not sure. I think there's a catheter-type exam. Anyway, it's something to look into.

As far as pain control, I have naproxen (i.e. Aleve) on hand at all times. It does the best job for me, better than acetametaphen and ibuprofen. There are dietary changes that are recommended for endo, worth looking into. I found my list in Ballweg's book. I noted on Google Health, regarding IC, that a list of dietary recommendations looks similar to what I remember seeing for endo when it was my concern.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions. I have no shame or modesty about how endo affected me and my life, and I welcome any questions you may have. And remember... you are not alone with this; many many women have or had endo. Once I got ahold of Dr. Dohr in Barrington and Ballweg's book, my experience with the disease did a 180. I wish you the same peace with whatever you discover about what's happening to your body!

ps - if you use bleached paper products for your cycle, stop. The dioxide in those products cause female rats to develop endometriosis. Who knew?!?

1 mom found this helpful
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P.D.

answers from Chicago on

C.:

consider craniosacral therapy or accupuncture.

to find a practioner: www.birthlink.com

P., RLC, IBCLC

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi C.,
I did it. I treated my endometriosis naturally about 7 years ago. It was VERY difficult to find a doctor (because most drs that I spoke with didn't believe that there was a natural way to treat it). I had a very bad experience with a botched surgery (punctured bowel, difficult time getting the scope in all of which resulted in a very painful recovery).

I used a series of natural supplements, had a consult with a napropath in Colorado (via phone).

I would be happy to share more of what I did, if you are interested.
B.

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R.A.

answers from Chicago on

I strongly recommend Dr Alexander Lin, Northwestern Medical, ###-###-####‎, 680 N Lakeshore Drive. I am working with him to treat uterine fibroids. He has been incredibly respectful about explaining my options and at one point, when I asked what he recommends, he said "I can't make a recommendation until I have a clearer sense of your personal goals." You might want to look into endometrial ablation; it's not natural, but it's not surgery either. (Unfortunately it won't work for me, but that's another story.) In addition to personal consults and phone conversations, Dr Lin also belongs to an online Q&A system called Relay Health, which allows for email consultation. I found that very helpful because I could get information from him in writing and that helped me process it all. Good luck!

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T.T.

answers from Chicago on

you should see a good chiropractor. then you would know what part of your pain belongs to what. I know 2 great chiros. one in lake barrington Dr. Andreano ###-###-#### and one is palatine Hands on Family Health ###-###-####

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I recommend finding a different doctor - one who will be more responsive. In my experience, when you present with a complaint that cannot be easily diagnosed and treated a lot of doctors don't want to be bothered and will just say there is nothing to be done or tell you they will take care of it and then never bring it up again. So in addition to trying some natural remedies - keep your ears open for a obgyn that will listen! Good luck!

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L.Z.

answers from Chicago on

Hi C. - endo is an autoimmune disorder that needs to be controlled in order to have good quality of life. I highly, highly recommend you see a specialist who knows endo. A lot of OB's don't know how to handle endo. I know of one doc who knows endo inside and out (she's actually writing a book about it). Her name is Dr. Barbara Soltes and she has an office at Rush near downtown and another in Palos Heights. With endo, the first thing you need to do is get it in control by temporarily shutting your system down. After that, you control it in other ways (commonly a Mirena IUD or BCP or progesterone only pills. I'm not sure of your history regarding Depo, etc. but there are ways to manage this condition. You need to go see a doc who can. Good luck!

L.

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

Check out my gyne's website and consider calling her. Dr. Ranae Yockey in Elk Grove Village. I know it's far from Rockford, but she has some excellent treatments for painful conditions which are not as invasive and are state of the art. Her site is http://advancedwomenscarecenter.com/

in the meantime, check out these sites:

https://www.medicine-plants.com/articles/138/MACA+FAQs/

http://www.dherbs.com/articles/menstruation-myth-46.html

http://lousmenstrualmigraine.blogspot.com/

http://www.peruherbals.com/3030/menopause.html

http://www.highonhealth.org/what-nobody-tells-you-about-m...

i bought maca at vitacost.com --much cheaper there than at local stores.I'm looking to regulate my hormones, and boost my metabolism but i'm thinking that this may help you.

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C.H.

answers from Chicago on

I would highly recommend Dr. Wasson (in Naperville). He's a naturaopathy doctor. His webiste is http://www.naturalalternativemedicineofchicago.com/id63.html

I've been seeing him for over a year now and now only see him once every 6 months if that.

~C.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I love the doctors at homefirst. They are oriented toward natural first. They're great. They're in the Chicago area including Naperville. Check out homefirst.com and find your nearest office.

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W.P.

answers from Chicago on

Yes new doctor. Get a second opinion and somewhat more invested in helping you solve the problem. When you figure out what all the pain is you can start treating it accurately.

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M.A.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, I have an idea....First off I am so sorry you had to experience this. I do experienced similiar female issues.
Let me tell you the name of my doctor. He is in the city and will HELP you. His name is Dr. David Zeiger. ###-###-####. My problem ended up being my hormones were off and after a few months of therapy with him I was back to my old self. Please don't hesitate to call him you will NOT be disappointed. email me or ask me any question you may have. This doctor is your guy, you will get results and most of all alot of choices. Good luck and best wishes!

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M.M.

answers from Provo on

Hi
I am sorry to hear of your struggles with your doctor but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Most doctors put you on nasty hormonal treatments or drugs for the pain which doesn't actually help the long-term healing of the condition. Endometriosis is a result of poor liver function and taking these medications only aggravate the situation.
Our hormone levels are elevated because the liver doesn't function as well. The elevated Estrogen causes the adhesions and cysts. So, ultimately if you heal the liver properly through diet, lifestyle and herbal remedies you can help the Endometriosis clear up.
I have personally had the condition for 15years and went down the path of hormonal treatments for much of that time. I was on the pill for about 7 years and have had 7 Laparoscopies too! It didn't ever stop or slow down properly and the body never healed itself.
I decided to share my story online with a personal blog which I hope will help women around the world. It shares all the positive and natural ways that I personally use to heal myself. It is a personal voyage and I am also learning along the way! Which is great as I learn I am getting better and better!
I hope it helps you too!
www.cureendometriosis.com

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S.J.

answers from Chicago on

you have endo. i suffered for many years,over 14. my only cure then was a "complete tune-up", if you know what i mean.
no more pain. when it was time for my period the pain did not let up, only got worse. even if i moved a bit the pain would come with a vengance. i don't quite know what the treament is now, but you can go online and search endometriosis and find a support group. there are a lot of them out there and they do help. there are books you can read. i am sorry i no longer have any of the literature to share with you. and yes sexual intercourse is very painful. be careful with nsaids, they can damage your organs, since you have to consume a lot due to your painful periods. also contact unversity of chicago hospitals and the mayo clinic. do go online, you will get the help that you need. try not to drink cold liquids, eat red meats, eat lots of food high in fiber, green leafy vegetables. this will help with the bile movements. also stay away from caffine. drink water at room temp. i hope everything work out for you. i almost forgot i did take the shots, monthly, and did this pill (danocrine) for a year.they only helped for a while. from the shots i have constant pain in my hips, so does a friend of mine and a neice. these medications also causes you to gain a LOT of weight. if there are other alternatives, your doc will let you know. again i hope all ends well for you.
sue

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

Try acupuncture. It will be a series of appointments.
There is a natural medicine clinic in Naperville led by Dr Steven Holcomb but where you go may depend on what's convenient to where you live. I agree that the www.birthlink.com website can provide you with suggestions of additional care providers.

One of my daughters used the lupron shots and had to stop because of the side effects. She has done well with bc pills but this solution isn't perfect for everybody. I agree that the side effects of endo are incredibly difficult.

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