Endometriosis is a gynecological pathology that is still little known, yet affects nearly 1 in 10 women . Often misdiagnosed, endometriosis has been increasingly talked about in recent years thanks to the many statements by patients suffering from endometriosis.

Painful periods? Sometimes very heavy periods? Digestive problems? Diffuse inflammatory pain? Chronic fatigue?…

The symptoms of endometriosis are numerous and often trivialized. This explains why even today, the diagnostic delay is estimated at 7 years. However, the impact on the quality of life of the patients concerned is considerable, making endometriosis a major public health issue to raise awareness, support and help all the women concerned to find solutions adapted to their needs.

And precisely, when we understand the causes and mechanisms involved in endometriosis, it is immediately easier to find suitable solutions.

So, what is endometriosis ? What are the symptoms that should make us think about this pathology and how to relieve them naturally ? We explain it all to you today.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a gynecological pathology characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus. This tissue, called endometrium , can be found in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, peritoneum, but sometimes even in organs such as the rectum, bladder, lungs or digestive system.

It is this diffusion throughout the body that explains the diversity of symptoms found in women with endometriosis.

Symptoms of Endometriosis: The 5D Rule

To help with the screening and diagnosis of endometriosis, there is a rule: the 5D rule.
The principle is simple: the presence of any symptom linked to one of these 5Ds should suggest endometriosis and direct you towards an MRI scan to see if endometrial tissue is found outside the uterus.

These symptoms are as follows:

Dysmenorrhea = period pain

It is not normal to have pain during your period. While the presence of pain during your period is not always linked to endometriosis, you should never rule out this possibility. Especially when the pain is particularly intense.

Dysuria = difficulty and pain during urination

These symptoms are particularly suggestive of endometriosis when they are accentuated during menstruation.

Dyspaneuria = pain during sexual intercourse

About 50% of women with endometriosis experience pain during intercourse.

Dyschezia = difficulty in passing stools with alternating diarrhea/constipation

These symptoms are also particularly suggestive of endometriosis when they are accentuated during menstruation.

Pelvic pain = pain in the lower abdomen and upper genitals

These pains can sometimes feel like real electric shocks or burns.

Why is endometriosis painful?

But then why does the presence of endometrial tissue elsewhere than in the uterus cause so many symptoms?

This is because this so-called endometrial tissue reacts to hormonal variations in the menstrual cycle .

What if there is a hormonal imbalance added ? This will result in pain and disorders of varying intensity depending on the location of the endometrial tissue in the body.

And in fact, hormonal imbalance is one of the imbalances frequently found in patients with endometriosis.

Today, if the only treatment validated by health authorities to treat endometriosis is surgery, it is still possible to act on the various imbalances observed to bring daily comfort and well-being to women suffering from endometriosis.

The 3 imbalances found in cases of endometriosis

Endometriosis is characterized by the association of different imbalances 𝘀𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗿

Hormonal imbalance : the body produces too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. In a “normal” state, our body produces estrogen in the first part of the cycle and progesterone in the second part of the cycle. These two types of hormones are roughly in balance, meaning that we produce the same amount of each. But in women who suffer from endometriosis, we observe an imbalance that is involved in the onset of chronic pain, premenstrual syndrome and heavy periods: too much estrogen and not enough progesterone.

Acid-base imbalance: chronic pain acidifies the body, which promotes the loss of precious minerals that help us fight chronic inflammatory pain... Thus plunging us into a real vicious circle.

Imbalance of the intestinal microbiota: the role of the intestinal microbiota in endometriosis remains to be defined. But a recent study seems to support the involvement of a bacterial strain present in the microbiota of patients with endometriosis. Cause or consequence? What is certain is that this imbalance also deserves to be taken care of to provide comfort to patients with endometriosis, particularly those who suffer from the famous “endo-belly”: a swollen belly that combines bloating and pain.

How to act on these 3 imbalances to (re)find comfort

Endometriosis is associated with 3 imbalances that can be acted upon. An effective and sustainable way to soothe its symptoms and regain comfort and well-being on a daily basis is to act directly on it.

How to restore acid-base balance, microbiota and hormonal balance? We explain everything to you:

Acid-base balance

Food is our first ally to help us restore the acid-base balance. Very schematically, there are so-called “alkaline” foods and “acidic” foods.
When we suffer from chronic and inflammatory pain, we acidify our terrain, the idea here is to favor “alkaline” foods on a daily basis which will help us to restore the acid-base balance and to fight against chronic inflammation.

Alkaline foods to favor: 

• Fruits and vegetables (even those that have an “acidic” taste like lemon or tomato for example): at each meal, half of our plate should contain fruits and vegetables.
• Spices and herbs: in addition to flavoring our dishes, they are valuable sources for combating acidification
• There are many alkalizing drinks: water, lemon juice, green tea, etc. Conversely, we reduce coffee and alcohol.

For more information on acid-base balance, take a look at this site which perfectly explains the mechanisms involved and the solutions to implement naturally to preserve this balance.

The balance of the microbiota

What is the microbiota ? It is a group of good bacteria that line the wall of our digestive system and mark the boundary between the inside of our body and the outside. This microbiota helps us in just about everything on a daily basis, both by forming a protective barrier and by helping us with the major functions of our body: digestion, energy, sleep, immunity, inflammation... And we know that the balance of the intestinal microbiota depends on the diversity of the food we consume.

So what do we need for a healthy microbiota ?

• Good bacteria to maintain this microbiota: probiotics

They are found in various fermented foods such as yogurts, raw milk cheeses, fermented drinks (like kombucha or kefir), miso, sauerkraut, sourdough, pickles, etc.

• Good food for these famous bacteria: prebiotics

These are the fibers found mainly in oats, barley, legumes, fruits, certain vegetables (carrots, onions, leeks, zucchini), dried fruits and potatoes.

• A good protective barrier: the intestinal mucosa

If this barrier is damaged, it is said to be porous, thus promoting inflammation by allowing a whole series of “pro-inflammatory” molecules to pass through. Certain nutrients are known to fight against this porosity , such as zinc (found in seafood), omega 3 (found in small oily fish), vitamin D (which we produce by exposing ourselves to the sun) or glutamine (found in animal proteins).

Hormonal balance

Hormonal imbalance is at the heart of endometriosis since it is what is involved in cyclical pain as well as period pain. But fortunately, there are solutions to restore and maintain the balance between our hormones .

• Get enough good fatty acids

Our hormones are made from cholesterol, so the first thing to do to ensure optimal hormonal balance is to provide our body with enough good fatty acids. Uncooked vegetable oils such as rapeseed, flax or walnuts (2 tablespoons per day) and oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, herring, salmon (2 to 3 times per week) provide us with what the body needs.

• How to best combat stress

Stress is the number one cause of hormonal imbalance . So we know it's easier said than done, but here are some easy ideas to implement for better stress management: cardiac coherence exercise, breathing, connection with nature, taking time for yourself, taking magnesium...

• Balancing our hormones with herbal medicine

As we have seen, women who suffer from endometriosis produce too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. Fortunately, there are plants known to regulate these two hormones: Chasteberry, which is known to slow down estrogen , and Lady's Mantle and Yarrow, which are known to boost progesterone. 

Equilibrist to help you rebalance your hormones

We have developed our CYCLENDO formula to support women who suffer from painful or heavy periods, particularly in cases of endometriosis . Our formula helps rebalance hormones to act directly on the cause of the pain. We have combined Chaste Tree, Lady's Mantle and Yarrow to rebalance your hormones, with Rhodiola to combat stress and the vitamins and minerals essential to the production of our hormones.

Become an actor in your health

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of women who suffer from it. But there are natural solutions to help you relieve endometriosis symptoms and improve your well-being.

Understanding your body is the first step to becoming an actor in your health and finding solutions adapted to your needs.