Endometriosis is one of the more common conditions related to the reproductive function that many women suffer from.
Unfortunately, despite many advances in modern medicine, no cure has yet been discovered.
So far, women and their medical practitioners' attempts at controlling endometriosis are limited to treating its symptoms.
If the condition is too severe and debilitating, surgery is usually considered as an option.
Medication: The most common method of controlling endometriosis and its symptoms is medical therapy, which uses drugs and hormones to reduce the pain and swelling associated with the condition.
Combination progestin and estrogen birth control pills, for example, are commonly prescribed to regulate ovulation and control pain.
Pills containing Danazol, a male hormone, are also used to treat endometriosis.
This medication simulates menopause and causes estrogen levels to go down.
By minimizing estrogen in the body, endometrial tissues cease to grow and don't cause pain.
Anti-inflammatory medications containing NSAIDs may also be prescribed for moderate pain.
Manage your nutrition: Proper nutrition is not a miracle cure for endometriosis, but it can improve general health and well-being.
A well-balanced diet can ensure that a woman's body has enough nutrients and a robust immune system to help her cope with endometriosis.
Good nutrition will also help increase energy and prevent negative psychological effects from taking over.
For women who are taking medications to control symptoms, having a balanced diet can help increase your tolerance for possible side effects that the treatment might cause.
Take nutritional supplements: According to Susan Lark, M.
D.
, director of the PMS and Menopause Self-Help Center in California, taking vitamin supplements, specifically the B vitamins, are helpful in controlling endometriosis symptoms.
B vitamins help metabolize estrogen by keeping the liver healthy, which regulates the hormone.
Lark also suggests taking supplements of Vitamin C, beta carotene, selenium and Vitamin E.
Use heat for pain: Applying heat to the affected area is an effective way of helping muscles to relax and can help reduce cramps caused by endometriosis symptoms.
It also helps increase circulation in the area, bringing relief from pain.
A heating pad or a hot bath can help a woman relax when symptoms appear Keep reading for more tips on controlling endometriosis and sign up for the free newsletter below to discover risk factors for endometriosis and other ways to manage symptoms effectively.
Use relaxation techniques: Oftentimes the anticipation of pain amplifies the actual sensation and when symptoms do appear, they are much more difficult to tolerate.
Using relaxation techniques can help divert the mind from focusing on the negative sensations and focusing on calming the body and bringing relief in the process.
These techniques can also be supplemented by aromatherapy to help aid in sleep, strengthen the immune system and bring balance to the body.
Getting physical: Exercise helps reduce pain associated with endometriosis by producing endorphins.
Endorphins naturally suppress pain so a good 30-minute moderate exertion will help in controlling endometriosis symptoms.
Soy products and herbal supplements Another kind of supplement that may be effective in controlling endometriosis is a form of estrogen taken from plants.
Called phytoestrogens, these compounds occupy receptor sites for estrogen.
Once estrogen has nowhere else to go, the body has no choice but to excrete it.
Herbal supplements like red clover, solid alfalfa extract and dong quai also help in helping the body get rid of excess estrogen.