When I first got Endometriosis, the pain never went away. It was there every single day. It was a dull kinda presence that just sort of stayed there continuously. It was worse at certain times of the month and more severe when I got stressed about anything. For the first year I had no idea what it was. I went to several doctors who informed me that I simply had Irritable Bowel Syndrome or that I had period pain like every other women. I was made to feel like I was just making it up or perhaps this was simply what period pain felt like and I was just a pathetic weak girl for complaining about it. The dull ache didn’t go away though. It was there for a while…..
Finally, a year later I had a feeling inside that somehow told me that my pain was related to my “women’s bits”. I found a Gynaecologist and he straight away suggested a Laparoscopy. He said it was the only way to confirm I had Endometriosis. I agreed straight away and was just so grateful I had a “label” for this endless pain!
I hated the operation. I felt terrible for days afterwards. I had pain in my shoulders, under my rib cage and I also suffered side-effects from the anaesthetic and the anti-biotics, meaning I spent hours on the toilet with both ends hovering over the toilet bowl in 10minute spurts. I was young though so I was okay with it and managed to heal within a few short weeks. I thought great, I am healed now! Life can go on as planned! I was so wrong. I really believed that I only needed one operation and that would be it! I really did! I was only 19 at the time so perhaps in my disillusioned mind I wanted that to be true.
It has been 16years since that day. I have been through another 7 operations and several different hormonal treatments to “help” with my endometriosis. After the last Laparoscopy, I decided I would NEVER have another one and I would find a better way!
I have now been without an operation for over 9years. I still have Endometriosis but it is so mild now that I barely know I do – I just get a friendly reminder at that time of the month! I am very aware of my body and it’s healing and know that I am getting better each and every day. Through this blog, I have discovered the many more amazing healing powers that exist out there! I have been really good at sticking to them and the last 6months I have noticed a dramatic improvement.
So, should you have a Laparoscopy?
I personally believe that a Laparoscopy can give women a great sense of relief in knowing what they have and you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you hadn’t already had one to confirm that you have Endometriosis. I know it made a huge difference to me to have that “label”. The Laparoscopy will also allow doctors to “clean you out” in a sense and give you a “clean slate” to start healing – using natural methods of course. It will also give you an idea of what you are dealing with – the severity of it and how much more you need to be committed to your personal healing.
However, I don’t necessarily agree in having them the way I did. My doctors almost scheduled me in every year-year and a half to have one. It was like a given that the cysts would grow back and that I would need one. I had stage 4 Endometriosis!
Now, there is evidence that the operations can actually cause the lesions to grow, as the body is trying to heal itself. There is some amazing new surgery available which use micro laser treatments and all sorts of fancy methods BUT and this is a HUGE BUT…..
You are not healing the body with surgery. Surgery cannot heal Endometriosis! It might “clean you out” until the cysts grow back, which will give you some pain relief BUT it won’t solve the root cause of the reason you have cysts growing in the wrong place in the first place! It won’t heal the reason you developed a condition/ disease of Endometriosis.
Now, there are many who might argue with this statement but the body is a holistic being. Every condition we get is a signal inside that there is a problem. By simply cutting out the problem, we are not recognising what the body is telling us. It is out of balance! What simply happens is the problem develops somewhere else. Women with Endometriosis often go on to develop more and more diseases or conditions which may seem unrelated but ultimately are all going back to an original problem that was not dealt with correctly. Does that make sense?
It actually doesn’t matter what the condition is that we have, the methods to heal are all based on the same principles. We need to ensure a positive balance exists within our body’s cells as they are responsible for healing and ensuring we stay alive and well!
Please feel free to share your opinions. I would love to hear your thoughts/ arguments!
Author of Cure Endometriosis & Eating with Mel.
Hi Melissa!
I am really glad finding your site. Comments here made me feel that I am not alone & that there are ways for relief.
I just want to ask for your suggestions regarding my Endo case.
I was diagnosed i guess 12 years ago but just one ovary was with endo. A Pill was given to me to control/ refrain me from menstruation for 3-6 mos. if I remembered it right. After that, we tried working out to get pregnant & we’re successful. While 3 months preggy, i felt an excruciating pain & there were brown shows on my undies. My OB said my endo ruptured & I had to be opened in order to be cleaned & refrain my baby to be infected. After that, everything seemed fine. My monthly period’s pain was bearable until the dysmennorhea felt not normal anymore because the pain is no longer on my lower abdomen but on the upper & the feeling is prickly. And it’s so hard to pass on gas but when i do i felt a relieve. I do not usually take pain relievers because I don’t want to be dependent on it.
I have also bought Progestelle by Women’s Therapeutic Institute but I have not yet used them because of so many things to refrain to like the parabens and chemicals on laundry,shampoos, etc. I feel that I can not be consistent because we do not have much Organic products in our place yet. But now, I think I’m gonna use it, I have to. One of their prescribed supplement was Fibrovan too.
Just recently, i got soo bothered because I have a problem passing on my bowel. One time, there was a tarry blood on it. My Doctor suspected that it was due to my hemorrhoid, she gave me a medication for that & the blood did not occur anymore but the stool i passed 2 days ago was not full. I feel like the whole thing was not flushed totally. Another thing is my bladder. My Abdominal Ultrasound showed this result: MILD BILATERAL PELVOCALIECTASIA but showed no stone on it. So, my doctor asked me of my medical history and suspected that this was caused by endometrial adhesions. Do you think both (bowel problem,bladder problem) were caused by adhesions? These things made me sooo worry because, I have a feeling that the adhesion went through my other organs. I handled my endometriosis for how many years because I can manage the pain, but this recent medical signs made me worry big time! Please advise me on what to do? What’s the best diet? Any supplements? I don’t want to undergo any surgery at all! My fertility doctor did not even advise me to undergo such because once there’s a scar it will go back again & again & again..
I have bookmarked this Page because i always visit this site for my relief. Please advise..
Thanks for your time..
Hi Joie,
It sounds like your endo is irritating your bowels and your bladder but it could of course be more than that too. It is hard for me to give you any specific advice but I would say that changing your diet and incorporating a glass of water with bicarbonate of soda on an empty stomach twice a day will help your bladder tremendously. Endo often sits on the outside of these organs, which will make them much more sensitive and sore. I would recommend getting onto some of your own made fermented foods for your bowels and hopefully it will alleviate some pain. Passing blood in the stools can also be a sign of pollips but it can be a sign of something more serious. Please read more on my site and you will find all the answers. Just type a word in the search box and it will come up with heaps of articles. There is a whole category on the endo diet and one for supplements I recommend. All the best,
Welcome to my blog
I don’t know if this is the place to post this, but I just wanted to add another word of hope to all of those trying to conceive with endometriosis. I told of my story how I have it and was able to become pregnant last summer and now have a sweet baby daughter. My husband told me tonight about some friends of ours who are now expecting a baby boy after years of trying and adopting a baby girl, and she has severe endo. I have another friend who had it severe and got pregnant. So, it is always possible!!!
That is wonderful and incredibly encouraging for all the girls out there
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Mel,
I am 21 years old and have been having excruciating period pains for as long as I can remember. I’ve had my period for 10 years and I’ve tried all the over the counter pain killers and 3 types of birth control and nothing seemed to help besides the Depovera, which caused me to not have my period for 3 months at a time. I stopped using it after the first shot because 1. I hate needles and 2. I just feel that not having your period is unnatural. I have never been diagnosed nor have I had a laparoscopy, but I do believe I have endo. I’ve been on the diet for about 4 weeks now and am currently on my period only using herbal teas to help with the pain. Do you think it’s better to try and diet and see if the issues improve? I am also pursuing a career in performing arts and I graduate from the school I am training at in 6 months, so I don’t have much time for any kind of surgery or recovery time. I’ve always had a keen sense for diagnosing myself and a positive outlook on treating it and change.
Thanks.
Hi Rachel and welcome to my blog
You are right to trust in yourself and treating yourself positively. Diet is a huge part of our healing but it also takes adding heaps of good stuff in. Often we just think of what to take out
I would add heaps of superfoods in and that makes a world of difference. Moringa is one of the herbs I would definitely try. It reduces pain and boosts the whole body. Also, get onto the castor oil packs. http://www.cureendometriosis.com/castor-oil-pack-providing-instantly-relief-pain-endometriosis-inflammation/
Well done for choosing natural
I did not read all the comments and threads following the initial one. I am another endo sufferer and have been for at least 15 years that I can remember only the last 4 of those came with my diagnosis via an appendectomy.
I know that the people that are naturopaths and in that field speak about something being wrong with the body and what you wrote implies that something is me not taking proper care of my body…
Other sites I visit say that endometriosis is there from birth and no matter what changes I make in my diet its still there…
Is there something that I am not doing that I should be I have changed my diet many times to cut out many things …
Hi Sarah and welcome to my blog. It is true that we may have inherited many of the genes that may cause endometriosis to develop in our bodies. However, this does not mean we have to develop or even keep the condition. Your diet is not just about cutting bad stuff out, it is mainly about adding good stuff in. Are you giving your body a real fighting chance, giving it super nutrition in your diet? Standard foods we find in supermarkets are often not enough. Look into some superfoods like Maca, Spirulina, Moringa and bee polens. They contain higher volumes of nutrition and help the body heal naturally. Read this article for more ideas: http://www.cureendometriosis.com/food-endometriosis-healing/
I had a laparoscopy just over 2 weeks ago. Something I wasn’t warned about is the bloating. I don’t mean the initial symptoms of pain in the shoulder – that went after about 3 days, much to my relief. The problem is my abdomen is very distended. I am limited to comfy joggers only as anything with a proper waistband is just to tight and uncomfortable. In fact I am going shopping to buy more comfies tomorrow.
Have ordered some castor oil – maybe that will help. I am also avoiding wheat, sugar etc, so it’s not my diet causing the problem. In fact even drinking water first thing makes it worse.
Has anyone else experienced this? How long can it take to subside? Is there anything I can do?
Hi Marie and welcome
2 weeks is still quite early for your body to be fully recovered from the lap. The Castor Oil will certainly help. Avoid drinking cold things – water might be too cold in the morning. Have warm water with lemon instead or herbal teas. Also incorporate more warming foods like Ginger, Pumpkin or sweet potatoe.
I would give it another 3 weeks to really feel better. We are all different but this was my experience with my 7 operations.
All my anxious google searches keep leading me to this site! Thank you for all the information.
I am so worried about my lap surgery; I don’t know what the right thing to do is. I’m about to turn 30, and I suspect that I have been dealing with my issue for a while. However, aside from when I experience intense pain from a cyst bursting, I do not really have any symptoms. I am not in pain the majority of the time. However, my doctor feels that I should have a lap for my current cysts (endometriomas, she says). This would be my first lap, so I’ve never been diagnosed with endo before.
I’m worried that the surgery will permanently damage me or make things worse! I certainly don’t want to have surgeries all the time. I have no idea what to do. I was thinking of having the surgery, and then following up on my condition with acupuncture or herbal remedies. My doc wants me on BC, but I also am not really a fan of that idea. There are just so many horror stories, and I really have so little to go on.
I guess I’m just venting.
Hey Becca,
It must be fate that has lead you to my site
You are in the right mindset. Get the lap to “clean you out” initially and then focus on natural healing to prevent it from growing back. If you are really freaked out about doing surgery, you could try Serrapeptase for a few months and see how that goes with your pain levels. It might be all you need.
The surgery is unlikely to permanently damage you unless you have a really bad gyni do the surgery.
I am sure the answer will come to you
Oh, and one more word of hope to those suffering with endo and wanting a baby…my husband and I found out a few weeks ago some aquaintances of ours are finally expecting…and she has severe endo. When I talked to her a couple of years ago, they had adopted a baby girl and she was saying how they had tried and she had a miscarriage…and her endo was really bad. Well now they are a little over 3 months pregnant! So it CAN happen! I do know of another woman who had the same thing-severe endo, had a miscarriage, and she and her husband adopted a baby girl…then found out she was pregnant at age 39 or 40! She thought she was going through early menopause! lol But she gave birth to a baby boy. So there is always hope! It just may not be when we want it to be but we just have to learn to relax and know that it is always possible, even in some of the worse cases! God is in control and we just have to let go and trust Him to take care of it all and in the meantime try to enjoy life as much as possible
Lovely words of encouragement Lisa. It is certainly important to relax and enjoy life cos all that stress plays havoc on the adrenals which is never going to help you get a baby!
Thank you!
And yes, I can see where breastfeeding does help, since it keeps you from having a period for awhile. With our son I didn’t get mine back till he was 9 mos old. I am also hoping that taking care of the thyroid problem and trying to get things back into balance will help too.
Hi Lisa,
No probs
The breastfeeding is really good for your baby. It ensures the little one gets the best immune system build up, so make sure you can breast feed for ages! Naturally, helps you too.
I think the main thing is that I just decided if it was meant to be we would have another baby and sort of gave up and relaxed, I guess. I just started enjoying life and tried not to worry about it anymore. I did try to change my diet as much as possible, I also took cruciferous complete supplement by Standard Process as my natural healthcare provider told me that cruciferous veggies are good for endometriosis. Also, I found out I had a low thyroid and took care of that…I think that it all kind of went together. I don’t know if low thyroid could have caused endo problems, or endo problems could have caused thyroid problems, but seems to me it could go together since thyroid regulates hormones and endo is a problem with high estrogen levels. I do know low thyroid could have caused the 2 miscarriages I had before. Also my doctor ran some tests and I tested postive for ANA test, which he said a lot of times endo patients will. So he treated me during the pregnancy for any inflammation that might be caused by an autoimmune disease since I had the postive ANA. But I do think giving up and trying to relax (and it’s hard to do until you’ve just finally had enough that you can no longer help but give up) and let God take control and realize like I said, if it is meant to be it will happen!
I know it was just His timing.
Hi Lisa,
The thyroid definitely relates to Oestrogen Dominance -as I am discovering the last few days. One of the major things in getting this balance back is that your progesterone levels should come back to balance oestrogen. Under production of Progesterone is known to cause miscarriages. Did you have a hormone test done? It might be worth exploring, even after baby arriving successfully to ensure endo doesn’t come back again later. Also, make sure you breast feed the little one as long as possible – this ensures your babs has the best possible immune system!
Hugs and congrats again,
Melissa
Hi Melissa! I posted several months ago about my pregnancy. Just wanted to let you know that we have a new baby girl! She was born last Tuesday, Jan. 24th, at 33 wks and 3 days. I was so scared when my water broke because it was so early and wasn’t due till March 10th. But she weighed 4 lb 8 oz and has done well since she arrived, and we came home with her yesterday! We had lots of people praying for us, and I know God has seen us through it all!! So to those who have endo and want a baby…never give up hope! Sometimes it just happens when you least expect it and if it is meant to be, it will.
Hi Lisa,
That is so wonderful to hear. Congratulations and enjoy the new little one! Was there anything you did, in your diet or supplements or anything that you can also attribute to your success?
Hugs,
Melissa
Hi Lisa,
I would just like to let you know about my endemetreosis. For just under a year I was having constant pelvic pain and abdominal pain which felt like being stabbed with a knife every second of every day,the best words to use are probably like having a hot poker there and it never goes away, I contacted my dectors and they reffered me to a gyno at a hospital which had a very long waiting list which was located an hour away from me due to moviing to a differnt area,I then went to my local hospital to accident and emergency due to the severe pain and was literally crawling on the floor with pelvic and abdominal pain and getting myself in such a worked up state I had no other option and I was not perpared to sit back and wait and just be a number on a waiting list, i was told by the gyno team that because i suffer with severe deppresssion they think it maybe in my mind and made me see a phscologist who asked me unrepeatable questions due to the sick nature of them and was implying all this was in my mind and was offered paracetemol and tramadol!!! (I was already on 21 tablets a day perscribed by my doctor for pain relief at this point which did not numb the pain atall!!) and Id already had zoladex to shut my hormones down which caused major moodswings and id had my hormones replaced by a tablet-not quite the same I left the hospital in shock and disgusted with the ‘care’ i recieved, i then hounded the hospital for months to get my refferal treated to urgent,thanfully this worked with the help from my gp and manager at my workplace, I had the laporoscopy and thankfully hey presto I was pain free, 4 months on the pain is back severe as before and I have been told I still have endo and a hyserectomy maybe needed because of the constant pain and another op may increase the pain to an even painful level and may not work,im only 27 and have no children and this is ruining my life.this is an amazing site and everyone is so helpfull and understanding i just ask myself will i ever be pain free,will i ever be a mum?? or do i live my life full of ops,in pain or go through zoladex every few months or lose my right to hopefully have my own baby one day?? i send my support to everyone thankyou for reading.
Hi Donna,
I am sorry to hear of your story and the struggles you had to go through, just to have a diagnosis!
The only way to get pain free is to first flush out the toxins in your body. For that, you need to build up your strength. The biggest and most important thing you can do right now is change your diet. Start off slow but aim to be gluten free, sugar free, dairy free and meat free within the next 6months. You will notice the biggest change in this. Make sure you cut out ALL preservatives in the food you are eating. The dramatic pain you may be experiencing could be sulphites found in your food. Don’t rush things….just take it one step at a time but it will make a huge difference.
Also, cut out the toxins in your environment as much as you can. Think about what you put in your hair, on your face and within your kitchen. It all contributes to endo pain.
Hun, you can be pain free. I know, because I have done it! I used to be in daily pain like you too!
Start today and make some changes and each day, take that power back with what you eat! Start there and you will feel better.
http://www.cureendometriosis.com/4-steps-to-start-natural-healing-for-endometriosis/
Hi Melissa. I am thankful to find your website as I have extreme difficulties deciding whether to get a laparoscopy to get rid of my Endometriosis.
Here is my problem and questions:
With information I have gathered, I know that Endometriosis cannot be cured. However, it can worsen over time and grow onto other parts of the body. So if I do NOT go for Laparoscopy what if the Endo grows further? If Endo grows further, can this be life-threatening? I keep hearing stories on the internet how Endo can kill you if it gets severe (when it attaches to certain body parts.. for example a girl had her uterus “glued” to her anus and the doctor said that a chance she may not survive is possible). All of this is making me paranoid/anxious, it is like a double-edged sword (Going for Laparoscopy is bad but not going is bad too?)
Here are the symptoms of Endometriosis that I have:
-I am 22 yrs old and the symptoms have acted for 2 years
-Sharp knife stabbing gas pain feels like ripping or tearing my insides, I lie immobile in bed as the slightest movement can give me stabbing pain
-Occurs during menstrual cycle or a few days before
-Pain = due to build up of gas, when pass gas I feel relief but VERY difficult to pass gas, can feel it trying to come out but is trapped
-Painful bowel movements (feels like heavy ripping or hard to push)
-These pains get WORSE over time. It does not happen at every menstrual cycle, for example for 12 months I have 12 periods.. but these sharp stabbing pains occur for around 7 out of 12 periods. But they do get worse (which makes me think what if it is growing further or sticking my parts together.. would this be life threatening or cause severe problems?)
-Yesterday I had this last up to 8 hours nonstop, it was so severe I could not attend my college classes, could not walk or move, felt cold, weak, nauseous.
What do you recommend me to do?
My main concern is: If Endometriosis can worsen over time and grow/attach itself further, is this life-threatening or cause certain disabilities? Also, is there a way to “reverse” the growing or to lessen the symptoms without the use of hormonal drugs and surgery? I have read about Maca as a relief, but even though it is a reliever the Endo will always be there as there is no cure (and the thought of it always being there makes me anxious)
Thank you for taking the time to hear me out. I am so scared and lost about what to do with my Endo.
Hi Sophie,
I can sense from your comment that you are very stressed out about it all and that you are leaning towards thought processes that are not helping your healing. It is probably best for you to have a laparoscopy, just to put your mind at ease as to what is going on in there. Endometriosis can often feel much worse than it really is. We can also create the level of pain with it by being more anxious and nervous. I know when I have a stressful day, it is always more painful. Endometriosis can worsen over time but the condition varies dramatically from one person to another. Some girls can have endo for years and have it stay exactly the same level of endometriosis cysts! It also depends on where the endo settles as to the level of pain you experience with it. Some girls have really bad endo cells but they don’t experience much pain because the cells settle on different parts of the abdominal cavity. So, you can see that there are heaps of variables and hence why it is probably best for you to have the operation, to at least know your severity and where the predominance of the endometriosis cells are settling.
Even if you cut out the cells and adhesions, the endometriosis will grow back unless you do something to correct the imbalance within your body. Doctors will promote hormonal drugs to reduce the spread of these cells but there are completely natural ways that can stop the endometriosis from rebuilding in the body. Please read this article: http://www.cureendometriosis.com/what-would-you-consider-a-cure-for-endometriosis/
Hello Melissa, what a great page. I suffer from excrutiating pain and now UTI. Drs are not good in diagnosing and have to keep visiting them. Re endometriosis, I want to avoid at every cost to undergo a laraposcopy. I have read is the oinly way of determinIng and thus treatment. Is this really the case?.
Hi there,
I have only recently discovered this article : http://www.medindia.net/news/Researchers-Develop-Quick-Accurate-Way-to-Diagnose-Endometriosis-56725-1.htm
Don’t know much more about it yet but it seems there is a way
Hi Melissa, just wanted to give you an update. I am 19 weeks today, and everything is still going well. We are expecting a baby girl
We thank God everyday, it’s all because of Him! I am hoping that my endo will take a turn for the better after this-my endo never bothered me till after I had our son, but maybe this time it will do opposite. I have heard of some whose endo got better after having a baby and I hope that’s the case with me. But if not, I am just thankful for this little blessing and that’s all that matters!
That is wonderful news! Congratulations
So happy for you sweetie! I hope it does make endo better too – take care of yourself during this time and really allow your body to heal and get better too! Big hugs!
Hi melissa. I’m glad you have a wonderful site here that helps out woman with endometriosis. This is really an answered prayer for me…
February of this year, i remember having constant dysmenorhea and the pain is so excruciating. I thought it was just normal since I was working on graveyard shift during those times. Last june, I was admitted because of severe abdominal pain, I couldn’t walk during that time. I thought it was due to my gastratis but after the CT scan, they couldn’t see any problem with my upper abdomen and what they saw was a mass on the lower part. Afterwards, I undergo transrectal ultrasound and there they found out that I have cyst on both ovaries (bilateral endometriosis) and I also have myoma on my uterus (but this is really small- accordingly it is not something that I should worry of). I was also diagnose with adenomysis. The cyst was quite small during that time so my OB ask me to go on Pills but even with the pills, i still had my menstration. I really cried cause I know that if i have menstration then the cyst will grow. True enough on my next ultrasound, the cyst size grow to about an inch. So, on the next month, I was ask to shift to Depo trust. I did not have menstration with depo trust but there’s spotting. A very good friend of mine also advised me to take VCO because it can cure endometriosis. So I also started taking it. I have ultrasound every month to check the cyst. From June to aug, it is constantly growing and I am still working at that time. By sept, I was advised to rest cause of the spotting. There’s also too much pressure at work that is stressful for me and I believe that it is one of the cause of my spotting. Last month I had another ultrasound but this time the cyst shrink by an inch although one of the size still measures3.2cmx4.0cmx3.1cm. I think the rest really helps. According to my OB, i should take the cyst out while it is still smalL- a cyst that has a line 4(4cm) should be taken out. I was advise to go on laparoscopy but it is very expensive and I cannot afford it.
I cant help but cry when doctors would advise me that the best solution is operation, sometimes I felt so helpless especially when it comes to monetary issue. I practically dont have anything right now since I am on leave at work. We aren’t paid if we are on leave of absence. There are times wherein I felt so down and weak but I that God for He sustains me. He has never leave me nor forsake me even if at times I feel like giving up alreadi. I am also thinking of resigning from my work since I am getting to much stress there. I know God healed me already as my last month ultrasound shows it became smaller. Since I am planning to resign next month and I have to give my health card, I went to my OB again for another consultation and still she advise me that operation is the best option but it is all up to me. she further advise me that operation is not an assurance that the cyst will not grow back again so after that i should take pills again and then stop the pills if i want to have a baby. My doctor further advise me I cant go on depotrust for a long period of time cause it will brittle my bones. I dont want to go on operation because I cant afford it. My health insurance is not enought to cover the expenses. I need your advise on this. I really want to have baby in the future..I understand that it is a case to case basis. I ‘ve been praying for wisdom on this matter. I just googled natural way to cure endometriosis and thank God, I f ound your site. I hope you can help me on this..I hope that you can be a part of my “walk to healing”..Thanks melissa!
Dear Grace, I feel your struggles and give you a big hug via the internet
. Foreign hormones are never going to cure your endometriosis or your cysts. They will limit their growth but it will never go away and you are likely to need to take them for a long time with side-effects to go with! Large cysts can be reduced by using Castor Oil Packs. They are very inexpensive and there is a video on my blog to show you how to do it. http://www.cureendometriosis.com/could-this-be-your-easy-affordable-solution-for-endometriosis/
You do need to trust in your own healing with this and I think you already know what you need to do – luckily my site came up to support your choice
Stress of any kind is also not great. I am not sure what you do for work but perhaps it would be good to look around. You need to find somewhere where your boss understands you and your endo and can give you a little slack if you need time off.
If you can find a natural practitioner you can work with, this is ideal. It is not always cheap but they will work with you on a one on one basis. Look at Indian or chinese medicine – they tend to be slightly cheaper.
You will be okay sweetie! Just keep searching for answers and they will come to you!
I also read that Papaya greatly reduces cysts.
BIg hugs
I love what you said here! The reason I chose NOT to have a laparoscopy was because I had every test under the sun — and that was the only thing left to have….all my symptoms indicated endometriosis — and so I was left with a decision: Should I still go ahead and have the laparoscopy?
I opted to not have it. Why? Well, first of all, there are less than a dozen specialists in the United States that can safely and competently remove over 90% of the adhesions. That’s not a lot of physicians!
Secondly, laparoscopic surgery diagnoses the endometriosis – it doesn’t heal you or keep it from coming back — I 99.9% knew I had Endo — so why the extra expense and recovery? All the GYNs I had seen said pretty much, “Based on all your other tests ruling everything out, it is safe to say you have endometriosis!”
Thirdly, I wasn’t going to give permission to have a hysterechtomy — or partial — or anything of the sort. I’m in my mid 40s — menopause is just around the corner. And despite what anyone says, laparoscopic surgery does not keep the Endo from returning. Estrogen is made continually, whether the female organs are removed or not….
In light of all this, I knew I had to do one thing — I had to treat it naturally. Diet/nutrition is so under emphasized by conventional physicians — in fact, they give it no credit whatsoever. And it is the bigger part of the picture.
My dietary intake now is 99.5% raw….I love a little chicken now and then. But the difference this has made is hard to emphasize adequately. NUTRITION IS KEY in healing the body of any illness! (Watch FOOD MATTERS….you’ll understand what I’m talking about!)
Then I went on Maca – and within a short time — pelvic/abdominal only a few days a month — instead of every single day. I couldn’t believe the change! Ecstatic? Oh yeah! And the pain only mild — not debilitating. (You mean I can finally have a life now!?!) ~grin~
Things are heating up in the bedroom once again — woohoo — because I’m not doubled over in pain. My husband is more than ecstatic! lol
My suggestion would be this — 1. Radically change your diet, 2. Start taking a low dose of Maca….give it at least 3 months….(and definitely get some exercise in every day)….
Once you’ve tried this and kept a journal of your moods, pain, and so on — THEN ask yourself if you still want that laparoscopy!!
Thank you so much for posting such a positive and encouraging comment! Fantastic to hear Maca had such an impact for you and that hubby is happy too
For those looking to hear more about Maca, you can view a video I did on it and also a good place to buy it.
http://www.cureendometriosis.com/the-reason-i-love-maca-root-powder-and-how-it-can-help-with-our-endometriosis/
I had a labaroscopy back in March of this year, it is now september. I really think I need to have another one done. I am only 23. But I am still in so much pain as I was before it. I don’t think the doctor who did it did a good enough job.. Is it too soon to have another one?
Hi Caiti. If the Laparoscopy didn’t work perhaps you should try a different way of dealing with the Endo.
There are heaps better options for you than just cutting stuff out. You can flush it out naturally through the body. Get onto some liver supplements and Maca and really look at your diet. I hope this helps but feel free to email me and I can help you more 
Melissa, just wanted to let you know that I’m not going to have to have that surgery afterall, praise God! I am right at 9 wks pregnant after trying for almost 4 yrs and 2 miscarriages two years ago; and so far things are looking good. It is such a surprise and all I can say is thank God.
THAT IS WONDERFUL! Congratulations sweetheart! Just take it easy and try and meditate daily so you keep positive and calm. Well done and all the best! Please let me know how you get on
Melissa thank you very much for response. No matter what I feel, I have to wait and see what my OB/GNY thinks. Can you tell me little more about how can we remove the endo through the body by flushing it out? Or it is already written please give me links. I am very interested.
Thank you very much.
Hi Bonita. It is a combination of diet and herbs. A good naturopath or chinese doctor can help with the herbs as they need to be specific to you
For the rest, read through the diet section here – focus on diuretics like Dandelion, cucumber and parsley 
Hi, Melissa,
I found your site because I think I might have endometriosis….I have all this symptoms, and they all told me it is just period pain like every other women. “I was made to feel like I was just making it up or perhaps this was simply what period pain felt like and I was just a pathetic weak girl for complaining about it. The dull ache didn’t go away though. It was there for a while…..” This is my exact feeling. I decided to go back on contraceptive pills, but symptoms only increase and my pain it just worst and worst.
I will go to GYN (when it comes from leave) but I am really afraid of going to Laparoscopy, although it would also mean a relief that this isn’t just my imagination. What shoud I do?
Hi Bonita. Having the Laparoscopy can have some distinct benefits. It does give you the definitive answer of knowing what you have – which relieves massive amounts of stress.:) If the Gyno does find Endo, you can get it surgically removed. It will give you relief for a period after the operation where you have no pain – mine usually lasted about a year.
I guess it depends on how much pain you are in as to whether you have the operation. I am very anti them now cos they do cause scarring inside and it is simply not natural to “chop bits out”. We can remove the endo through the body by flushing it out. I guess I can’t make the decision for you but perhaps you need to assess where you are at within your own healing and pain levels.
You can find make ups and lotions without parabens. I have noticed that more people are paying attention to such as that, knowing the parabens are not good for you, so I have seen some lotions that are labeled on the front, “paraben free”. I also saw a commercial on t.v. where a lotion was being advertised, and this was mentioned. So people are becoming more aware of things that are harmful. I use vitacost.com to order our vitamins and such, and they also have some natural products for your skin. I am sure there are other places to find these, also.
One other thing. I was talking about the estrogen dominance thing…it will explain in the book, but the main thing is that estrogen “feeds” endometriosis and that women who have it usually have too much estrogen in their bodies. There are certain foods like dairy products, that are estrogenic and should be avoided. There are also parabens in make-up and lotions that should be avoided. You can look it up and find out more.
Thanks Lisa. That is spot on.
Phytoestrogens are also not advisable for endo. Avoid an excess of any of those. I pretty much avoid all make-up and lotions where I can. I use Coconut oil as a face cleanser and moisturiser and use Bicarbonate of Soda for my teeth and hair – as a shampoo. These are much cheaper than all those fancy products and they are much better for us 
Amber,
and try to keep myself busy with my son and other things so I’m not just sitting around dwelling on it. (And I know that is hard to get it off your mind when you’re in pain) And like Melissa said, sounds like your hormones are out of balance. If you could find a natural healthcare provider (or naturopath) who could do a saliva test to find out about your hormones, you could get some direction and try some natural things that you haven’t tried…which is what I also need to do but haven’t done yet. I have been told the saliva test is more accurate than blood testing. I found out last summer that my thyroid was low, and I just think that my hormones went out of whack after I had my son and quit breastfeeding, when they were trying to get back in balance they just couldn’t. And that’s when I started the endo problems. There is also a book called the Anti-Estrogenic Diet by Ori Hofmekler that my natural healthcare provider recommended. He says that women with endo usually have an estrogen dominance. Have you ever heard of this before? I know how hard it is physically, emotionally…people just do not understand unless they have it themselves. But I know there’s got to be a way for things to get better we just have to hang in there!
I agree. I would definitely try everything to not have to have a hysterectomy. Don’t listen to everyone telling you that. They can’t tell you (not even doctors) that you won’t have another child, they don’t know that. I know couples who were told that only to prove the doctors wrong. I would try other things and give it time to work (and it can take time from what I hear-but changing your diet can help, I think it helped me and I can tell things get worse when I eat certain things). Plus, a hysterectomy doesn’t guarantee it will solve the problem of pain, if it is on other organs. I know a woman who gave up trying to conceive a second child and just went on and had a hysterectomy. But, she still has problems and had a laparoscopy after the hysterectomy because it was on her bowels! And who knows..she may would have eventually gotton pregnant. And at this point when it is on other organs (I think it’s on my bowels, too) you’ve got to look to other ways to try to feel better with diet, etc. I talked to a girl who was in so much pain from endo and had tried and tried to get pregnant and decided it just wasn’t going to happen so she went to her doctor and asked for a hysterectomy. So they did a pregnancy test to make sure, and she was pregnant! You never know what plans God has when a doctor or anyone else tells you no. I, like you, have been so discouraged trying for our second child. I found out I had endo when our son was 2. He is now 4, and it is hard, but I think that I am getting better emotionally about it all. I have another friend who got pregnant at 39 after trying and trying and couldn’t get pregnant (endo problems) and after adopting a baby! I know that you have heard it before and so have I…that stress will keep you from getting pregnant. I know it’s hard, because you’re stressed because you can’t get pregnant, and can’t get pregnant because you’re stressed…I know the feeling! But you’ve just got to find a way to overcome it somehow. I have just had to try really hard to get my mind to thinking more positive (and these postive stories have helped
I just stumbled across this website which I have learned a lot from. I’ve been having severe pain since I was around 17. My periods were always irregular…. as in every week to two weeks. At age 18, I got on the Depo shot which stopped my cycle. I was on it for a year and a half. I didn’t have a cycle for 3 years. But looking back it seems like I was doing so much better back then. It would still hurt with intercourse tho. At age 21, I finally started my cycle again. After enduring the pain of intercourse as much as possible, it took a year and a half and I finally got pregnant with my son who is now 3. Four months after having him, I had my first laparoscopy which didn’t show anything. Seven months after that, I had another one which didn’t show anything either but I was in so much pain it was hard to have sex and I had to deal with the pain cuz we were trying to have a second child. Eight months later, I had the laparoscopy that finally showed I had stage 1 Endo. My OB/GYN knew that I wanted more kids so I tried to deal with it as long as I could but still was unable to conceive. After I couldn’t handle the pain any longer, I finally agreed to go on something to help which they put me on Depo AND Lupron. But they only did the Depo for one month. With the Lupron, I didn’t go thru the hot flashes or anything and I bled CONSTANTLY. So, I told them that I really didn’t want to be on the Lupron any longer. He said it really sounded like my Endo was progressing and I needed to try and try to have another child ASAP cuz I really needed a hysterectomy. So, I continued to fight thru the pain and try to conceive with no success. I moved to another state and In February of this year I received ANOTHER laparoscopy which makes my fourth. They found that I was about a stage 3 and that it was even on my bowels. Well, after this last one, I found myself getting worse. On the second day after surgery, I found that not only was the burnt matter and bleeding coming from my vagina but also from my rectum which seemed strange to me. But my doctor, who I later found is under investigation for other mishaps, said I had to be mistaken. First he told me he removed all of the Endo, and then he said, well, only what we could see. And they couldn’t remove it off my bowels or anything. He also had scraped the inner lining of my uterus to thin it out and said I had a 6 month window to try and get pregnant. Everything has gotten worst since then. I have ER doctors telling me that it sounds like the Endo has moved all the way up my right side and on my kidneys, which I didn’t know was possible until I researched it. And, no matter how hard I try, I can;t get pregnant. I am currently 26 yrs old and at least I do have one child so I am grateful. But, I really wanted more. It seems like the Endo is spreading like wildfire and since I just moved back home, I am waiting to get in to see another OB/GYN. I am also back to having a period every 2 weeks. I am in severe pain every single day which makes it hard to do every day activities and has me out of work. And all everyone keeps telling me is that I will probably never have another child and I need a hysterectomy. I don’t want to go this route but I can’t stand the pain and being out of work. Plus, I can’t play with my son like I want to. If anyone has any advice, please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Amber. I am sorry to hear of your journey with Endo. It sounds like a hard and unsuccessful one so far:). I am glad you have found my site and that you can now find real solutions for healing. What has happened is, all these foreign hormones have created more imbalances in your body. All we need to do is get your normal balance back. For you, I would imagine that your adrenal glands are probably very high. That relates to stress. The first thing you need to do, is cut out sugar. All sugar as much as you can. Avoid all stimulants – no coffee, chocolate or anything that gives you an instant rush.
We also need to flush out all those excess hormones in the body. Get onto some DIM -http://www.cureendometriosis.com/how_dim_can_help_endometriosis/
and Maca Root Powder.
The thing is, you can overcome this and have another child. You need to change your focus initially to healing your body first before trying for your second child BUT you can overcome this. Check out this video: http://www.cureendometriosis.com/some-motivation-for-us-to-keep-searching/
. Allow these emotions to come out and give yourself time to let it out. It needs to come out or it causes further disease inside. Cry or shout or whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better 
I did this for 6months just to get all that stuff out.
Healing begins in yoru mind and from your comment I can see that you are very angry and stressed, which is totally understandable
I feel for your pain. Really focus on your diet and cut out gluten completely. This will dramatically improve your pain levels and help the body heal faster.
You can have another child and you don’t need to have a hysterectomy! Go and see a naturopath or a homoepath. They will give you whole different perspective.
My heart goes out to you,
Melissa
Thanks.
Where would I get the herbs you were talking about? Also, have you tried the endo diet?
Thanks for your reply, and yes, I do understand what you are saying. However, if things have gotton as bad in there as they feel, and there are things blocked, I don’t think there is anything to reverse all of that without a “cleaning out”. And as bad as it feels (and I do feel something in there!) and the fact that I am not getting pregnant tells me that something is blocked. So I feel that a lap is my only option at this point, and then maybe the natural things will work. I have tried some natural things, avoiding certain foods, chiorpractic (sp?) care, you name it, and have not had much results. So I don’t know what else to do.
Hi Lisa. Well if that is what you feel you need to do, then perhaps that is best. Maybe you will be able to fall pregnant again soon afterwards and then you will have a few more years of rest from Endo. Your body also needs to be ready to carry a child so having a good diet, good exercise and including heaps of superfoods will help you too. Try some Maca Root – it helps with getting your sexual desire up too
I am trying to decide what I need to do. I have one son, 4 1/2 yrs old. Conceived him after two tries. Never had any problems before having him, and had a wonderful pregnancy. When he turned a year old, we started trying again. No results. When he was 15 mos old, I started noticing pain around my ovaries when I ovulated, then I felt like I was going to start my period for the next 2 weeks. After trying right at a year, my doctor wanted to do a lap, and found mild endo on my left ovary. Six months later I was pregnant, but miscarried at 10 wks (baby measuring 7 wks). Now, 2 yrs later, I still have not been able to get pregnant even though actively trying 18 mos, and my pain is worse than ever. It has gotton to where I feel something inside of me nearly all the time…sometimes it hurts mild, sometimes pretty severe, but sometimes, I just feel it (like you said you did). I feel like I am wasting time trying at this point. I agree with natural approaches, but at this point, I am thinking nothing natural is going to get rid of how I feel until I get “cleaned out”.
Hi Lisa. Sorry to hear of your struggles with having a second child. Luckily you were able to have your son and it is something to be very grateful for. Your body just needs to be brought back into balance and will not be able to carry a child until it has done that. Though having a Laparoscopy may help you feel “cleaned out” it also can create more adhesions and make your Endometriosis worse over the long term. It depends on the severity of it but it doesn’t sound like you had a severe case from your history. I would try using a chinese herb, Ghu Zhi Fu Ling Wan. I had results with this quite quickly and it will reduce many of the symptoms and bring back a natural balance. http://www.cureendometriosis.com/my-new-treatment-plan-follow-up/
It will all be okay and I am sure you will be able to have a child again. Natural healing does take time and little steps can help you heal your whole body.
I copied and pasted this onto a different subject in your blog, Melissa…I meant to put it here!!
Silly me! At any rate, this information below is very good from the HERS foundation.
————-
Laparoscopy is not a reliable way to diagnose endometriosis, and it is a major operation with multiple risks. A gynecologist pushes a trocar (a cylinder with a razor sharp end) into the navel, the belly button, and may make two or more small incisions in the pelvis for additional trocars and instruments to be inserted into the pelvis. Next, the abdomen and pelvis are filled with gas/air to expand and tent the pelvis. A long scope called a laparoscope is inserted through the trocar to allow the doctor to see inside the pelvis. There is a risk of complications from anesthesia, perforation of the bladder and bowel, and stress on all of the internal organs, including the heart, as a result of the pressure created by inflating the abdomen.
The only objective and non-invasive way of diagnosing endometriosis is with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the pelvis. Operating rooms are dangerous places, and you can obtain a diagnosis with a non-invasive MRI of the pelvis. The objective evaluation and report from the radiologist who evaluates the MRI will demonstrate if you have endometriosis without the dangers of unnecessary laparoscopic surgery.
HERS Foundation
http://www.hersfoundation.org
http://www.uterinearteryembolization.org
610-667-7757
hersfdn@earthlink.net
Thanks for sharing. This is really interesting and could help anyone who doesn’t want to do the whole Laparoscopy!
PLEASE READ THIS:
Primary endometriosis is the migration and transplantation of endometrial tissue from inside the uterus into the pelvis.
Between menstrual cycles, the inside lining of the uterus, the endometrium, proliferates and continues to thicken until it sheds during menstruation. Sometimes endometrial tissue migrates through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvis, forming implants that bleed during menstruation. Endometriosis may, but does not always, cause pain.
Secondary endometriosis is also called iatrogenic (doctor made) endometriosis, because it is caused by medical treatment. It is usually caused by cutting into the uterus during uterine surgery.
During a Cesarean Section (C-section) an incision is made in the abdomen and into the uterus, and the baby is lifted out through the abdomen. This may cause endometrial tissue to become dislodged from the endometrium and then transplanted outside of the uterus, in the pelvis. This increases the incidence of endometriosis in women who have undergone a C-Section over women who have given birth vaginally. Endometrial tissue from a C-Section may also grow in the scar tissue that forms in and around the abdominal incision, which can be very painful when the transplanted endometrial tissue bleeds during menstruation.
The first symptoms of primary endometriosis usually begin at menarche, when menstruation first begins, and usually worsen with each menstrual period. By the time a girl who has endometriosis is in her early to middle teens, she may have such severe menstrual pain, nausea, and vomiting that she is unable to get out of bed. These symptoms occur during menstruation, not between menstrual cycles.
Women generally do not develop primary endometriosis later in life. Endometriosis that develops later in life is usually iatrogenic, caused by uterine surgery.
Laparoscopy is not a reliable way to diagnose endometriosis, and it is a major operation with multiple risks. A gynecologist pushes a trocar (a cylinder with a razor sharp end) into the navel, the belly button, and may make two or more small incisions in the pelvis for additional trocars and instruments to be inserted into the pelvis. Next, the abdomen and pelvis are filled with gas/air to expand and tent the pelvis. A long scope called a laparoscope is inserted through the trocar to allow the doctor to see inside the pelvis. There is a risk of complications from anesthesia, perforation of the bladder and bowel, and stress on all of the internal organs, including the heart, as a result of the pressure created by inflating the abdomen.
The only objective and non-invasive way of diagnosing endometriosis is with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the pelvis. Operating rooms are dangerous places, and you can obtain a diagnosis with a non-invasive MRI of the pelvis. The objective evaluation and report from the radiologist who evaluates the MRI will demonstrate if you have endometriosis without the dangers of unnecessary laparoscopic surgery.
Endometriosis does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes it is found incidentally during surgery that is performed for an unrelated reason. If endometriosis does not cause severe symptoms, there is no reason to pursue treatment.
Symptoms of endometriosis are similar to symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which should be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, not a gynecologist. Endometriosis is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions, so it is important to have an MRI of the pelvis to determine and confirm the diagnosis.
When women tell gynecologists they have severe menstrual cramps they are often told they probably have endometriosis and are offered drugs such as Danazol, Lupron, or a birth control pill to stop menstruation. If the pain does not go away or returns with the next menstrual cycle, gynecologists usually suggest laparoscopy.
It is common after a diagnostic laparoscopy for doctors to tell women they have severe Stage IV endometriosis. Many women have several laparoscopies to scrape or burn away what they had been told were endometrial implants. Every surgery causes scar tissue that may lead to adhesions (tissue that becomes stuck together). For example, the bladder or bowel may adhere to the uterus and cause severe pain when turning, bending, lifting, or any motion that pulls on the scar tissue that is stuck to other organs. This increased pain caused by scar tissue and adhesions often culminates in a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries, castration).
After hysterectomy and oophorectomy, many women are told they had severe Stage IV endometriosis. It is often described as the worst the gynecologist has ever seen, so they are grateful their problem was solved.
Sometimes it is not until they go to another doctor searching for solutions to the new problems that have developed after hysterectomy and castration that someone reviews their medical records and asks them why they underwent a hysterectomy. Included with your medical records sent to the new doctor is a Pathology Report from the hysterectomy and removal of your ovaries. It is common for women to discover that no endometriosis was reported in the amputated uterus or ovaries. The organs were normal. There was no endometriosis.
Although hysterectomy may stop endometriosis from growing in women who do not take hormones for at least a year after surgery, the most consistent problems women report after hysterectomy include a 25-pound average weight gain in the first year following the surgery, loss of sexual feeling, loss of vitality, joint pain, back pain, bowel problems, profound fatigue, and personality change.
Acupuncture and exercise can be helpful in managing symptoms, without the risks of drugs or surgery. The most effective, permanent cure is naturally occurring menopause.
With the exception of acupuncture, even the most conservative treatment options may cause serious side effects. None of the conservative treatments such as drugs like Lupron and Danazol are safe for any amount of time. And the longer they are taken, the greater the risk. The treatment of pain associated with endometriosis is often ineffective, short term, and causes a host of undesirable and often severe side effects.
The uterus and ovaries have many important lifelong functions. The ovaries are the female gonads. Removal of the ovaries is castration. Hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy causes numerous well-documented, permanent, irreversible, and life-altering problems.For more information, visit http://hersfoundation.com/anatomy/ to watch the short video “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs.”
Questions? Fill out the Contact Form.
HERS Foundation
http://www.hersfoundation.org
http://www.uterinearteryembolization.org
610-667-7757
hersfdn@earthlink.net
Hello everyone! What a fantastic site, I wish I found this many months ago! I would love any comments about my problem!
I was diagnosed in July 2010 with polycystic ovaries. I had been getting pain for the last 6 months, heavy irregular periods and feeling very dizzy. I had been seeing a gynocologist every since I was diagnosed and she didn’t seem interested in helping me due to me only being 18. Last month I was rushed to a&e with really bad sharp pains, also feeling faint. The nurse called a gynocologist to come down and see me, who was really nice and couldn’t believe my usual gyno hadn’t booked me in for a laparoscopy yet. After a long chat she told me I must have a laparoscopy which I had done last Thursday (5 days ago) and they found my left ovary was really damaged due to endometriosis which they removed and the surgeon said I did not have polycystic ovaries and it was endometriosis all along! I have now got the gynocologist that I had the op done with and she is very determened to keep the endo away!
However I am suffereing really bad since the op- I am still feeling very drowsy and faint. I have been sick everyday since and have now stopped taking the tablets as I feel it might have something to do with them. I am taking tablets to help stop the sickness. Do you think I should contact my doctor or continue to take the sickness tablets? Please Help! xxx
Hi Jill. Glad you like the site
It sounds like you are perhaps reacting to the anastetic or perhaps even the anti-biotics they put you on. I had that really bad once. Are they sickness tablets as in nausea tablets? or are they anti-biotics? If they are nausea tablets and they aren’t working I would stop them. If they are anti-biotics you should probably go back and get other ones. They may just not be agreeing with you. In the meantime, try a ginger drink. It really helps with nausea. Check out this post on it:
http://www.cureendometriosis.com/drink-it-hot/
Hope you feel better soon. Glad you found out was it was so you can begin healing
this is a fantastic site! I was diagnosed in october with endo because of severe pain in my right ovary…took me a few weeks to convince dr’s it wasn;t back pain, kidney stone/ all in my mind etc
I’m an acupuncturist so as you can imagine, very against having surgery mainly because i work in an ivf unit and treat so many women with the condition and i see first hand how much scarring surgery can cause….and often little pain relief.
anyway, in response to some of the ladies on here who have pain but no sign of endo – in chinese medicial terms we’d see that as blood stagnation so it would still be wise to consult with a chinese medical practitioner. it could be that the condition jusrt hasn’t manifested physically yet. it’s an odd thing to see that often women with hardly any visible endo have more pain than women who are riddled with it.
may we all get our blood flowing and place our healing in our own hands!
Hi Maria! Brilliant advice. It must be so hard to see what you do in ivf. Hope you can share some more of your valuable advice!
hi melissa,
im pleased to report than after weekly acupuncture sessions since april , my endometrioma’s have shrunk! they are now half the size…originally one was 7cm and the other a little smaller. i’d really recommend this approach to anyone.
the dr was shocked that they had shrunk, they were all set to get me in for surgery but even they agreed that there was no need now.
That is fantastic! Well done! How often did you go for acupuncture and for how long?
I just had a laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis on Monday. When the doctor went in, she found everything to be very healthy and fertile and did not see any signs of endometriosis. Not only did she check my pelvic organs but she checked my appendix and bowels. It is almost a miracle because we all expected her to find something. I have been having sharp, stabbing pains in my ovaries, cramps and clotting during my periods, and pain and bleeding with intercourse. I had almost every symptom of endometriosis. I still don’t understand how nothing was found to confirm my pain. The doctor took a fluid sample and I have my post-op on April 5th so I guess I will find out the results of that during the appointment.
Don’t you hate it when that happens? I had that too but I still had all the symptoms. I had two ops to confirm there was nothing there. Very annoying! I know girls who have had a complete hysterectomy and they still get symptoms. All you can do is focus on reducing inflammation in the body. I reckon it has to do with our digestion somehow. Endo is an inflammatory condition and once we have one, it is possible to get more. The best you can do is up the fruit and veg and take anti-inflammatory supplements/ herbs. I would strongly recommend Fish Oil. Amazing at reducing that tender bloated feeling.
Thanks for such an amazing blog. I’ve only just discovered it!
I was diagnosed in Aug 2010, via a laproscopy. I have pain again already and having an MRI scan in a few weeks to assess whether they think I need another laproscopy.
After reading this blog I have a lot more confidence that I can manage this using alternative methods.
I am having weekly cranio – sacral therapy which is really amazing at helping the body to heal itself.
I also regularly practise yoga, although need to do more of this!!! During relaxation at the end of yoga practise I try and use positive visualisation to bring light and healing to the pelvic area.
Peppermint tea is also great for me and peppermint capsules. I am taking microgynon at the moment to regulate hormones but I’m massively weary of anything stronger and don’t even like the fact that I have to be on that, but periods are too painful so only have them once every 4 months.
My consultant has just recommended I take Provera – a stronger tablet with more proestrogen but not a contraceptive. Does anyone know about this and any poss side effects???
would be grateful for any advice.
Thanks
Laura
Hi Laura, thanks for your comment and questions! I am glad you have found motivation through my blog to keep using alternative methods. Well done on all the natural methods and great that you are getting into Yoga!
It also gives you energy and heaps of minerals and vitamins. Download my free guide on SuperFoods and you can read heaps more about it.
I am not a fan of any drug that plays with hormones. I don’t even like the supposed “natural” ones. I just don’t believe we should elevate any one hormone to fix another. We shouldn’t be playing god with our hormones in my opinion. They are incredibly delicate. I have written an article for you specifically on Provera, so I hope this gives you heaps more information on it to make a more informed decision.
Check it out here.
Personally I regulate my hormones through diet, exercise and Maca Root Powder – I seriously need to sell it off this site! It is amazing stuff and doesn’t “play god” with hormones but simply stimulates the whole lot of them – they can figure it out on their own!
Hello
i am new here. and your website is absolutely very helpful. I would appreciate any comment for my problem. I always have a bad period and some time pain intercourse when i am a teenage. Right now i am about 34 years old. for story short i start getting pain in my lower left of abdominal and really bad period pain. One of my obGyn said i could be endo and put on progestin for couple month which seem help a little bit but then pain came back again. after that i have change about 3 obgyn. In the beginning of last year one of my obgyn think it might not be endo course i don’t have heavy period and pain is kinda further to the hip which far from pelvic area. so I end up have colonscope and endoscope which they find nothing wrong in my GI. until my family doctor want me to check my pelvic again. the ultrasound came back almost normal but my concern is why my left overy is bigger than the right one and my endometrial is about 1.1cm and that test is 5 days after my period. Today i get in to see new obgyn and told the story which she said she also think it endo. and want to put for progestin again for 2 months. Anyway i try to get conceive and i just want to take hormone cos right now my hormone is already mess up. My question is should i go in an get laparoscopy to check for sure if it endo rather than cure endo without knowing it real or not.
Thank you so much
Kayda
Hi Kayda,
It sounds like you need to get a confirmation of it being Endo before you can really heal. It is not just about knowing what it is that helps but it always puts your mind at rest. I would avoid any hormonal treatments as they don’t actually solve the root cause of the problem. Try some Maca Root or Motherwort Tea to get your hormones to balance naturally. You can also have some Rasperry Leaf Tea. It sounds very much like Endo and unfortunately ultrasounds don’t always show anything at all. Some specialists can find endo with them but even then there is no guarantee.
It is up to you. You can heal naturally without an operation but without knowing exactly what it is, it is hard to pin point what herbal and natural treatments to use.
All the best Kayda. Please let us know how you are doing!
Melissa
My daughter was rushed to hospital with appendix like pain as well. There was nothing wrong with her appendix and no endo. She had some fluid in her pelvis and some inflamation around her ovaries. I believe she may be getting cysts that dissolve and the fluid in the pelvis cause her pain. The doctor and school nurse are both pushing for her to go on the pill, which I flately refuse. I have some natural hormone system tablets for her but getting her to take them is a nightmare. She is 17.
I have a similar problem with adenomyosis. After years of problems after my caesarean I have had problems with constipation during my periods and incontinance. I finally tried to sort it out and found I had mild adenomyosis. I would have very severe pain right before my period. When the gyno examined me she said I had a bad prolapse and the pain was probably due to adenomyosis, even though ithe report said it was mild. I decided to get a bowel colonic irrigation to clean my bowel. This was horrible the first few times as it stirred up a lot of toxins sitting in my bowel. Now it is so much better. The pain I was experiencing was actually wind in my bowel, not the other. I also had some really strong probiotics for a few days and that cleaned me out even more. I also have chinese medicine and Neways hormonal system of cream, vitamins and balance tables and liver cleanse tablets. Since then (3mths) my period pain is extremely less, less clotting and I now get wind but my body gets rid of it quickly rather than the extrutiating pain I had.
I also have changed my diet and cut out bread and grains, and cut down my milk and only have A2 milk in my coffee. I think I may have to cut out coffee as well.
Well done on sticking with it to find a way to heal! Glad to hear it is working for you and that the digestive issues were also eased!
Be careful with too many of those hormonal treatments as they can make your body swing the other way too…. Try a hormonal balancer like Maca Root which has no side-effects. The other great one is Motherwort tea!
Read my article on that one here:
http://www.cureendometriosis.com/mucking-with-hormones-goodbad/
I am sorry to hear of your daughters struggles. At her age she could probably just get on some Maca Powder – easy to sneak into the food
It has quite a sweet taste and easy to put into things – pancake mix, shakes, sauces… I am sure you know how 
Hi All,
I had my 4 surgery 6 months ago and have had no pain relief what-so-ever and it’s getting worse over time, I’m now looking into some alternative medicine because apparently surgery will no longer help and the only “effective way” to get rid of the pain is to remove my uterus (which they won’t do for a 21 year old with no kids) due to extensive adenomyosis.
I don’t want to go back to get another laparoscopy, it does less and less each time and costs a fortune.
Thanks for some great info on the website, I will begin looking into it as an alternative.
Hi Caity! Thanks for the comment! I am sorry to hear of your struggles and the number of surgeries you have already been through. Try some alternative doctors and explore natural healing and you will be amazed at how much better you can feel! It does take time but it is well worth it! Try some Aloe Vera in the meantime and you will feel better within the next few months! It has amazing healing properties!
Melissa,
I just had a Laparoscopy two weeks ago, because I’ve been dealing with pain for over three years. Like you, I was told that it was the result of IBS, until this past September I was rushed to the hospital for what my doctor thought was an Appendicitis. After an ultrasound and waiting to be taken into surgery, I was told that it wasn’t my appendix and that it had to be gynocological related. Well to make a long story short, I saw my OB/GYN and we finally made the decision to do the Laparoscopy. Like you, I was in much pain after the surgery and am yet to see my doctor for a post-op appointment. I do know that I have Endometriosis and that she wants to put me on Lupron. There is NO way that I’m taking Lupron. It’s a muscular injection that needs to be taken 4 times a year and does NOTHING to cure the disease, it is only supposed to help the symptoms of the disease subside. No thank you!
I’ve taken a more hollistic approach. I’ve been taking Estrium for my PMS symptoms, taking a more vegetarian approach to my diet (lots and lots of veggies) and have started to go through my home to remove toxins.
Now that I know what I have, I’d definitely think twice before having another Laparoscopy and taking prescribed medications. Our bodies are a wonderful machine and have the power to self-heal if we treat and nourish them right.
Being kind to ourselves is the most important take-away that I’ve gotten from all of this.
Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your story! I really recognised my own story in it! I am so happy to hear you shout against Lupron! It is awful stuff! Happy to hear you are taking the holistic approach to healing and that you found lots and lots of veggies! It is amazing how much goodness is found in such a simple thing! There is a reason our mothers always told us to “eat your vegetables!”. So true! Our bodies are truly amazing and we can heal ourselves! \
I checked out Estrium and it sounds like a good product! Definitely try the Motherwort tea! It is awesome for PMS!
It is my pleasure and thank you for commenting! It makes it all worthwhile!
Weird to read your story Lisa, I went through pretty much the exact same scenario you did. I rushed myself to the emergency room after being told I probably had appendicitis… Which of course it wasn’t. I had a laparoscopy a few months later which confirmed endo, and I did take Lupron for 3 months which did not help any.
Healing myself the natural way, changing my diet has been the best thing I’ve done. I feel so much better! It does work, I just have to be patient.
Melissa’s blog has been a blessing to me!
Thanks Annabelle!
It is amazing how much we can do just by what we eat! Who would’ve thought?