Endometriosis, natural solutions and its effect on fertility
About endometriosis and fertility
Women’s voices have started to be heard about the devastating effect endometriosis can have on their lives and bodies. Every woman’s story and experience are different. Some symptoms include excruciating pain and heavy periods. There may be the inability to function in daily life, painful intercourse and inability to fall pregnant.
Some of the symptoms that may be experienced include:
- Painful periods Pain around ovulation
- Pain during after sex
- Heavy bleeding and or spotting
- Pain with bowel movement or urination
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Anxiety or depression
- Pain in pelvic region, lower back or legs
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- SIBO – small intestine bacterial overgrowth
- Difficulty achieving & maintaining pregnancy
Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women, and 50% of women struggling to conceive.
No-one really knows why some women suffer from endometriosis and other women do not. Or even why some women have severe endometriosis yet no pain. Other women may experience incredible pain, yet their endometriosis is not considered severe. Needless to say, it can be debilitating, affecting quality of life and the ability to conceive.
Endometrial tissues bleed during menstruation and if they are found outside of the uterus, the blood is not able to leave the body. This may cause inflammation, adhesions, pain and swelling. The immune system tries to stop the bleeding by creating scar tissue on the bleeding lesion. This scar tissue builds up month after month leading to congestion in the pelvic cavity. The immune system goes into overdrive and pregnancy may be difficult to achieve because of auto immune issues.
Endometriosis, adhesions and fertility
There may be damage to reproductive organs and intestines from adhesions especially if the immune system is overtaxed and cannot remove the blood that is not meant to be there. Adhesions caused by endometrial tissue outside of the uterus can cause infertility. If the reproductive organs are all glued together, they do not function properly. Blood flow is restricted, the lymph system is congested and unable to remove waste from the tissues.
Damage to the ovaries by endometrial cysts on the ovaries can lower egg quality, ovarian reserve and cause premature ovarian failure. Adhesions and scar can damage the structure and function of the organs. If scar tissue develops in the uterus, this can lead to problems with implantation.
The fertility time factor
Time is a factor when you are trying to conceive, and you have been diagnosed with endometriosis. This is because we don’t know how much damage has already occurred from endometriosis. With each menstrual cycle damage is still being done.
For this reason, you need a team. This may include your gynecologist/surgeon, acupuncturist, herbalist, counselor and yoga teacher. A combined approach of surgery and or a medicated approach to endometriosis with Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture and lifestyle considerations may enhance success.
Treatment options available at Mei Hua Chinese Medicine Clinic
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine
The focus on treatment with acupuncture and herbal medicine is to:
- relieve pain
- break up blood stasis
- promote healthy blood flow in the pelvic region
- regulate menstrual blood flow
- improve immune function
- strengthen the body’s ability to heal
- enhance fertility
Uterine and abdominal therapy
At Mei Hua Clinic, Chinese medicine may be combined with abdominal and uterine therapy. This is a multi-modality approach with gentle touch to allow the body to heal.
- uterine alignment
- abdominal fertility massage
- gentle lymphatic massage
This gives your body a chance to correct imbalances within your body. Treatments are designed individually for you. You are not the same as the next person. You have a different genetic makeup, childhood and life story, which is unique.
Yoga, endometriosis and fertility
Honouring our menstrual cycle is a skill that we can learn as women. And one of these skills is learning to relax and rest during our time of bleeding. The inward intention of restorative yoga may be of benefit to women during their fertility journey. There are yoga poses that induce the relaxation response to decrease stress, poses for depression and anxiety that often accompany chronic pain.
Fertility yoga is a practice designed to relieve stress, anxiety and to gently heal your body, mind and spirit.
If you are trying to conceive, see the Fertility Support Program
Julienne Tatkovic has over 10 years’ experience in treating Women’s health, endometriosis, fertility and supporting women through pregnancy with Chinese medicine.
