A Functional Medicine Approach to Treating the Root Cause Endometriosis

Identifying and Treating the Root Causes of Endometriosis

Whether you have been suffering in silence, as many women do, or you’re amongst the nearly 10 to 15% of reproductive-aged women diagnosed with endometriosis, you know how much this disease can impact your life. (1)

The significant pain and discomfort you live with every day is monumental. The painful periods, backaches, abdominal discomfort, infertility – the list goes on and on.

Even though there is no “cure” for endometriosis, I want to give you hope.

Hope for improved hormone balance, decreased pain, and even support for fertility.

A functional medicine approach to treating endometriosis may provide you with this and much more!

I help my patients develop personalized treatment plans by leveraging science-backed herbs and supplements that address their symptoms and underlying causes of endometriosis so they can experience relief and even possibly endometriosis reversal.

But let’s start with the basics of endometriosis so that you can recognize the symptoms and the underlying causes of this frustrating condition.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial cells (usually found only in the uterus) migrate and implant in areas of the body outside of the uterus. The most common sites for endometrial cells to implant are the cervix, vaginal-rectal space, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and colon and bladder walls. (2)

Endometrial cells respond to hormonal stimulation of estrogen and progesterone thickening and then shedding along with tissue and blood during your menstrual cycle. The endometrial cells outside the uterus continue to respond to these hormonal stimulations. However, there is no way for these built-up cells to leave the body, causing them to become trapped inside the pelvis, leading to inflammation, swelling, pain, and even scarring. (3)

Who is most affected by endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 menstruating women in the United States. (4) Also, about half of all women struggling with infertility are found to have it. While endometriosis is more commonly diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s, it can also occur in teenage girls.

You are at a greater risk for endometriosis if you have:

A family member (mother, sister, aunt, or daughter) with endometriosis.
Menstrual periods that last more than seven days.
Shorter menstrual cycles that last 27 days or fewer.
Early menstruation (before the age of 11).
Never been pregnant.

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis

The most common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include (5)

Painful cramping at the time of the menstrual cycle
Long, heavy periods
Chronic or severe pain between menstrual cycles
Painful intercourse
Infertility

Other symptoms that may also be associated with endometriosis include

Constipation and bloating
Urinary problems
Low back aches
Chronic fatigue
Spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles

Each woman’s symptoms of endometriosis are different. Some women with endometriosis experience many of these symptoms, all of these symptoms, or none of them at all.

Endometriosis also tends to progress and worsen over time as the chronicle inflammation leads to the growth of more scar tissue causing adhesions that cause the organs to become fixed in place.

Possible Root Causes of Endometriosis

No one knows for sure what causes endometriosis. Still, the limited research on endometriosis suggests several contributing factors may lead to the disease's development.

No one knows for sure what causes endometriosis, but there are many theories based on the limited research available. The important thing we know is that several contributing factors likely cause this inflammatory condition.

Possible root causes of endometriosis include:

Hormone Imbalance

It has long been believed that endometriosis was an estrogen-dominant condition, but emerging research has identified that endometriosis starts by creating progesterone resistance. (6) As a result of the body’s resistance to progesterone, estrogen becomes dominant, leading to varying menstrual cycle concerns.

Gut Microbiome Imbalance

The gut microbiome impacts almost all of our body’s functions, and research has discovered a connection between the gut microbiome and endometriosis. (7) While there is still a chicken or the egg argument, research has concluded that there is a significant difference between the gut microbiome of women with endometriosis and those without.

Immune Response

Additional research has looked at the immune system’s role in endometriosis. Studies have reviewed the fluid found in the pelvic cavity (the peritoneal fluid) in patients with endometriosis finding an inflammatory response in the fluid. This highlights that the body’s ability to detect and respond to the endometrial cells outside the uterus is compromised. (8)

Genetics

Genetic studies have identified that endometriosis tends to run in families, suggesting that there may also be a genetic component to this disease. (9)

Environmental Factors

Environmental chemicals called xenoestrogens (estrogen-mimicking compounds), such as phthalates, are known as endocrine disruptors. Phthalates specifically have been found at higher levels in women with endometriosis. (10)

A Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Endometriosis

Based on the available research, we can surmise that endometriosis is likely an immune and inflammatory problem triggered by cyclical hormonal changes. In addition, it’s likely that a gut microbiome imbalance and chronic exposure to environmental toxins worsen endometriosis.

The functional medicine approach to treating endometriosis focuses on identifying the possible root causes of your symptoms to help address any underlying imbalances. This natural approach helps to support optimal immune response, helps balance hormones, reduces inflammation, manages pain, and supports liver detoxification from environmental toxins.

Pain Management

Many women use NSAIDs like motrin or ibuprofen to try and manage the pain associated with endometriosis. However, several herbs are excellent for pain relief, including ginger root powder, curcumin, cramp bark, devil’s claw, and Jamaican dogwood, which can be equally effective as NSAIDs without the nasty side effects. (11,12)

Emerging research also demonstrates that melatonin can significantly reduce chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and may even lead to decreased endometriosis tissue. (13)

Lastly, acupuncture can be a safe and effective complementary treatment to help reduce the pain associated with endometriosis. (14)

Prevent and Repair Damage

Antioxidants found in foods like leafy greens, carrots, eggs, oranges, nuts, and seeds that contain high levels of vitamins A, E, and C can help protect cells from damage and reverse local damage caused by inflammation. (15) N-acetylcysteine (NAC), green tea, and curcumin are also potent antioxidants.

Reduce Inflammation

Some of the most effective treatments for endometriosis work by reducing inflammation in the body. Several herbs offer natural anti-inflammatory properties and decrease any pain associated with endometriosis. Herbal anti-inflammatories such as curcumin, bromelain, quercetin, ginger root, boswellia, and fish oil offer excellent results and can be combined with other medications or herbs to maximize their effects. (16)

Support Liver Detoxification

Supporting our body’s natural detoxification processes is critical when treating endometriosis. The liver is essential for hormone balance and to help break down and eliminate toxins in the body. B vitamins are required for the liver to effectively inactive and process estrogen. (17)

Lipotropics like choline, betaine, methionine, and dandelion are excellent for endometriosis patients because it helps support liver detoxification by promoting the flow of fat and bile out of the body. (18)

Balance Your Hormones

Endometriosis is a hormonally responsive condition, so balancing hormones plays a critical role in managing and reducing endometriosis symptoms.

Getting enough dietary fiber and having daily bowel movements support the body’s natural detoxification process, which can help reduce inflammation, eliminate excess estrogen, and reduce the body’s toxic burden.

One of the easiest, natural ways to support estrogen balance is by incorporating phytoestrogens, such as lentils and flax seeds, into your diet. (19) Phytoestrogens help to lower our estrogen overall by binding to estrogen receptors and displacing our estrogen.

Decrease Toxic Burden

Environmental toxins found in our food, homes, products, and water can cause inflammation leading to hormonal imbalances and immune cell malfunction. Avoiding these chemicals whenever possible can help reduce our body’s toxic burden.

Several supplements used to balance hormones, manage pain, or reduce inflammation are also natural detoxifiers, including curcumin, NAC, and quercetin. (20, 21)

Similar to your diagnosis of endometriosis, seeing results from a treatment plan can take time. Some patients need up to a year before seeing consistent endometriosis symptom reduction.

I also recommend that you talk with your functional medicine practitioner before beginning any endometriosis treatments to ensure your best chances for success based on your unique symptoms.

Holistic Endometriosis Treatment for Optimal Health

Endometriosis is a common condition that impacts many women. And even though the cause of endometriosis is largely unknown, we’re constantly learning more and more about this condition.

Because this condition is rooted in hormone imbalances, inflammation, environmental exposures, and genetics, numerous functional medicine treatment options are available to help you achieve optimal health.

At Denver Holistic Medicine, we understand that you want to see relief from your endometriosis symptoms. We combine lab testing, functional medicine, acupuncture, and more to facilitate changes and enhance your results.

Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine offers in-person and telemedicine consultations. To get started, request a free consultation today.

Resources

1. NCBI

2. Office on Women's Health

3. PubMed

4. Yale Medicine

5. PubMed

6. PubMed

7. PubMed

8. PubMed

9. PubMed

10. PubMed