More and more women are being diagnosed with the mysterious disease endometriosis. Dr. John Lee, an expert on the condition, described endometriosis as a serious female condition in which tiny clusters of endometrium (cells lining the inside of the uterus) become scattered in areas where they don't belong: the ovaries and fallopian tubes, within the wall of the uterus itself (adenomyosis), and on the outer surface of the uterus and other pelvic organs, the colon, the bladder, and the sides of the pelvic cavity, and even to distant sites like the lungs or umbilicus.

With each monthly cycle, these islets of endometrium respond to hormones exactly as endometrial cells do within the uterus - they increase in size, swell with blood, and bleed into the surrounding tissue at menstruation. This bleeding (no matter how small) causes inflammation, and is very painful, often disabling.

Symptoms begin seven to 12 days before menstruation and then become excruciatingly painful during menstruation. The pain may be diffused and may cause painful intercourse or painful bowel movements, depending on the areas involved. Women with endometriosis are often unable to conceive. Diagnosis is not easily established, as there is no blood test to identify abnormal endometrial tissues. Laparoscopy (a surgical procedure that enables a doctor to look into the abdomen with a small scope) is often resorted to for diagnosing this problem.

CAUSES

While gynaecologists are still debating the cause, what is certain is that the hormone oestrogen stimulates endometrial tissues. I consider endometriosis to be another disorder of oestrogen dominance - too much oestrogen and/or too little progesterone. It is caused by the same hormonal imbalance that causes uterine fibroids, breast lumps, breast cancer, premenstrual syndrome, ovarian cysts, and many of the symptoms of menopause. This is why, during pregnancy, endometriosis recedes, only to recur after the pregnancy whennormal periods return. The higher levels of progesterone during pregnancy temporarily correct the oestrogen dominance.

CHEMICAL OESTROGENS

Endometriosis seems to be a disease of the 20th century. Chemical oestrogens known as xenoestrogens (xeno means foreign) first came to widespread scientific attention in the early 1990s.

Researchers found a link between exposure to chemicals with oestrogen-mimicking effects even at very low concentrations and endometriosis. These oestrogen-mimicking chemicals may be found in everyday materials such as the varnish coating the inside of food cans, laundry detergent, and plastic water bottles.

Research at the University of Wisconsin on monkeys in 1993 showed a strong link between exposure to the chemical dioxin and endometriosis. Dioxin is a by-product of pesticide production and use, and of pulp and paper manufacturing. This chemical can also be produced through burning of hazardous waste. It can lead to oestrogen dominance that increases the risks of developing endometriosis. The greater the exposure to dioxin, the more severe the endometriosis risk.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

Mainstream treatment of endometriosis is difficult and not very successful. Surgical removal of each and every endometrial islet throughout the body is often unsuccessful. Many of the tiny masses are simply too small to see, and eventually they enlarge and the condition recurs.

More radical surgery: The removal of both ovaries, the uterus and the fallopian tubes is not a pleasant prospect. Other medical treatments attempt to create a state of pseudo-pregnancy, using drugs called progestins to simulate the high progesterone levels of pregnancy.

ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

This approach focuses at dealing with the underlying basis of the problem rather than just managing the symptoms.

Detoxify the body to remove and oestrogen-like toxins that may be already present. There are a number of detoxification techniques available.

Eat a primarilyplant-based diet to avoid the hormone-like chemicals in commercial meat, poultry and dairy. Limit the consumption of refined and concentrated carbohydrates (sugar, white flour, fruit juices, dried fruit). Alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate should also be avoided. There has been convincing research on food and beverages with a high-sugar content, and their relation to menstrual cramping and associated pain. The cruciferous vegetables and soy are particularly helpful in oestrogen balancing.

Nutritional supplements: The cellular nutrition programme is very useful. Specific agents like the omega-3 fats, vitamins E, C and the B complex, magnesium and zinc and the herb tang quei all help to relieve inflammation and pain.

Healthy stress management: Chronic stress adversely affects the delicate hormone balance and worsens the problem.

Natural progesterone cream: Bio-identical progesterone as a skin cream (not a progestin drug) can be safely administered to create levels similar to those of pregnancy. This cream is administered from day eight to day 26 of a usual 28-day menstrual cycle. This treatment is often effective in relieving the symptoms of endometriosis. The goal is to find the lowest dose of natural progesterone cream necessary to control your symptoms. It is very important use choose a cream of high quality and potency.

This treatment requires patience and the direction of an experienced wellness practitioner. Over time (four to six months), however, the monthly pains gradually subside as monthly bleeding in the islets becomes less and healing of the inflammatory sites occurs. The monthly discomfort may not disappear entirely in all cases but will at least become far less. Endometriosis is ultimately cured by the menopause but could be prevented by lifestyle choices.

Thi technique is surely worth a trial, since the conventiona are not all that successful and are laden with undesirable consequences and side effects.