No one does chronic pain quite like women living with conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis. Along with chronic pain, millions of women experience irregular periods and infertility. Sadly, most women with these conditions have only been given ineffective or uncomfortable options like birth control and surgery. Traditional medicine is missing the bigger picture when it comes to these conditions. What if we’ve been looking for the answer in the wrong place?
@drautoimmune #endometriosis is a #guthealth issue and may cause #inflammation #infertility and #dysmenorrhea ♬ original sound - drautoimmune
Inflammation: The Real Culprit
Endometriosis is not purely a gynecological or hormonal issue; it's one involving the immune system as well.
Endometriosis may appear to be concentrated only in the pelvis; however, the problem runs far deeper: it affects the gut and the immune system as well. The driving force of chronic pain, abnormal bleeding, and even infertility is inflammation. One of the primary sources of this inflammation? Gut bacteria.
The Gut-Endo Connection
Many women with adenomyosis and endometriosis have an overgrowth of a particular type of gut bacteria, which may be an issue: gram-negative bacteria that release what are known as lipopolysaccharides, LPS. These LPS are potent immune system triggers that cause a chronic inflammatory response.
Translation? If there is an imbalance in your gut, it could worsen your endometriosis symptoms. It could also keep your symptoms from getting better, even while you are doing everything right, such as taking birth control and making diet changes.
Why Birth Control Might Not Be Working.
When women are first diagnosed with endometriosis, the first line of treatment is the birth control pill. While it can help manage some symptoms of endometriosis through hormone regulation, it does not fix the inflammation issue.
If you are on the pill and still experiencing pain, and/or still experiencing fatigue, or have irregular bleeding, it isn’t your hormones that are the issue. It is your gut.
What Can You Do About It?
The bottom line: If you are experiencing endometriosis or adenomyosis symptoms, it is time to look further than gynecology and start considering your gut health. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Get tested to see if you have a bacterial imbalance in your gut.
- Find a functional medicine provider who is familiar with the autoimmune aspect of these conditions.
- Consider dietary changes, especially an anti-inflammatory diet. If you have already made changes to your diet and it didn't help, gut-specific therapies should be considered.
- Know that healing your gut is the best way to reduce systemic inflammation and help control your endometriosis.
Final Thoughts: It’s All Connected
None of the systems in the human body operates in a bubble. The gut system and the immune and reproductive systems are all interconnected. As functional medicine practitioners, we adopt a holistic perspective for the treatment of complex conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis.
If you are suffering from endometriosis and not finding the answers, it could be time to dig a little deeper, starting with your gut. Schedule an online consultation at our 100% remote functional medicine practice, and let’s get started.
