Endometriosis is a painful disorder when, for some reason, endometrial tissue from inside the uterus, implants itself outside the uterus, usually in surrounding tissue like the bladder, intestines, ovaries, and surrounding pelvic tissue. Endometrial tissue’s function in the body is to thicken, break down, and bleed, but because it is not in the uterus the blood has no place to go so it becomes trapped, which causes irritation, scar tissue, and adhesions also known as “chocolate drop sores.” This can cause excruciating pain, especially during menstruation, and can cause problems with fertility.

Symptoms include painful periods, pain during love- making, pain with urination, pain with bowel movements, excessive bleeding including spotting between periods, infertility, fatigue, anemia, constipation, bloating, and nausea. Pain is not an indicator of severity of problem, as pain levels vary as much as individual women do.

Medical treatments include laser surgery, pain medications, hormone therapy, and, in extreme cases, hysterectomy. Progesterone cream is also a common treatment.

Alternative therapies are to cut back on red meat and high fat foods, increase green leafy vegetables, addition of flaxseed to your diet, Omega 3 fatty acids, and stress reduction. Meditation is very beneficial for stress reduction and pain relief. Hydrotherapy can be helpful, the easiest way to do this is a 20 minute shower, alternating water every 2 minutes from as cold as you can stand to as warm as you can stand. People with nausea often find relief from ginger tea. Supplements that help with stress relief include magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, and Vitamin C.

As with any disorder, prompt medical intervention is key, natural alternatives are to be used as an adjunct to professional medical advice, not in place of.