Do your menstrual cramps cause so much pain that it disrupts your daily activities? Extreme cramping is not normal. Having intense pain during your period is common. But when cramps become so excruciating that they disrupt your daily life, it may signal a condition called endometriosis.
For most women, the very first period brings agonising cramps from the start. This early onset of debilitating menstrual pain can be a red flag for endometriosis. However, diagnosis usually takes years due to menstrual pain being downplayed as “normal.”
Endometriosis is estimated to affect at least 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium (uterus lining) grows outside of the uterus. These tissue growths respond to hormones just like the uterine lining does. So during your period, they break down and bleed. But because this blood has no way to exit the body, it causes inflammation and the formation of scar tissue.
This wayward endometrial-like tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines, and other pelvic structures. The buildup of blood and inflammation each month leads to intensely painful cramping along with other symptoms like:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
- Painful bowel movements
- Bloating and digestive issues
- Heavy periods
Yet despite these debilitating symptoms, endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for years. This is because pelvic pain with periods was long considered normal. But painful periods are NOT normal. If cramps routinely prevent you from work, school, or other activities, it warrants investigation.
Medically, endometriosis can be managed with pain medication, hormones, and surgery. While surgery can remove endometrial lesions and hormone treatments may temporarily suppress symptoms, endometriosis tends to recur. This is where functional medicine shines – by identifying and treating the underlying imbalances perpetuating endometriosis.
Potential functional medicine approaches include:
- Anti-inflammatory diet and nutrient therapies
- Botanicals and supplements to regulate hormones and reduce pain
- Stress management techniques
- Probiotics and microbiome support
- Detoxification strategies
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
Functional medicine aims to relieve symptoms by addressing root causes, not just covering them up. This gives women natural tools to manage endometriosis long-term and take back control of their health
Hope for Endometriosis: P.G’s Journey to Healing
As a functional medicine practitioner specialising in hormonal health, I’ve helped many women successfully manage the suffering of endometriosis. The crushing pelvic pain, digestive distress, and fatigue take over their lives. But true healing is possible, as recounted by my client P.G.:
Take a deeper dive with my free Endometriosis Explained course
Book a discovery call and see if this approach is right for you