5 Natural Remedies for Endometriosis
One of the most common symptoms of endometriosis is pain. Endometriosis pain can be cyclical and occur during a period or ovulation, or it can be chronic or persistent pain.
Women with endometriosis can experience severe levels of pain and a range of other symptoms such as painful bowel movements and urination, heavy bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and fatigue.
Finding ways to alleviate pain during an endometriosis flare-up is important and natural remedies for endometriosis can be an effective way to help reduce symptoms.
Apply heat
Heat is one of the best treatments for endometriosis pain because it can alleviate pain, muscle tension, and cramping. Try using a heat pillow, having a warm bath, or applying a castor oil pack.
Reduce stress
You can never remove stress completely, but you can learn how to reduce it. Don’t underestimate stress because it can really worsen pain. The type of stress you want to start getting on top of is emotional stress, which is caused by a range of issues such as working excessively or being in an unhealthy relationship.
Excessive stress weakens your immune system, worsens pain, contributes to gut issues, can cause fatigue, and is linked to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Find stress relieving activities that you enjoy and can do regularly such as:
- Exercising
- Walking in nature
- Practicing yoga
- Spending time with supportive friends or family
Examine your diet
Eating well is an important tool for managing endometriosis. Many women report that alcohol, sugar, and processed foods are triggers for endometriosis pain. So fill up on natural, anti-inflammatory foods such as vegetables and fruit and drink plenty of water. There is no one-size fits all when it comes to diet, so work out what type of diet suits your body the best and stick with it! If you are struggling to figure out the right diet, see a qualified health professional such as a nutritionist.
Learn at-home pain management techniques
When it comes to pain management there are some techniques such as mindfulness and EFT.
Mindfulness is a state of awareness of the mind and the body without judgement. Practicing mindfulness meditation can be helpful for people with persistent pain. It can reduce pain intensity and can also help improve other aspects such as depression, acceptance, and quality of life.
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) (also known as "tapping") has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol by lowering psychological stress. Elevated stress levels can worsen pain and inflammation - definitely not something you need in addition to having endometriosis.1
Try a pain-relieving therapy
There are many therapies that can help relieve endometriosis pain. A popular therapy is acupuncture; which seems to help lower pain but also increases the ability to tolerate pain. It may also influence the immune system and help reduce inflammation.2
Which natural remedy works best for you? Leave a comment below.
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