Endometriosis symptoms can include insomnia, irritability, depression, painful bowel movements and infertility. The pain can be debilitating. Cells in the uterus move outside of the womb and implant on other pelvic structures causing tremendous inflammation.
There are many different presentations of symptomatic picture of endometriosis, though the most common is pelvic pain. Pelvic pain may consist of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and/or chronic, non-cyclic pelvic pain. These can all be attributed to the inflammation and local adhesions causing scarring or damage to surrounding vasculature, nerves and other structures.
There are a wide range of common medical interventions from acute pain management with NSAIDS to surgical intervention. There are also a variety of hormonal therapies such as the use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (IUD) or progestin therapies.
Alternative therapies also include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplementation. For example, curcumin can suppress the proliferation of endometriotic cells by reducing the level of estradiol and inducing apoptosis. It has been show to promote the regression of endometriotic lesions. It has also been shown to downregulate cell adhesion molecules and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also supplementing with antioxidants vitamin E and C has been shown to lower the amount of inflammatory cytokines and reduce chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. Other antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine have also been shown to reduce the size of endometriomas and prevent their growth.
Ozone and Prolozone Therapies
We offer the most advanced Ozone therapies treatments for endometriosis.
Dr. Guggenheim can also help you to go gluten and dairy free to eliminate dietary inflammation. We'll create an anti-inflammatory diet rich in Omegas, quercetin, anti-oxidants, high quality proteins and low in saturated fats, sugar, salt and caffeine.
What is Really Causing Your Period Cramps?
Does your Teen Daughter have Endometriosis?
2. Research focused on endocrine disrupting chemicals [EDCs] and endometriosis has largely centered on persistent chemicals. Which of the following chemical categories is NOT considered a persistent chemical?
3. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are able to:
5. True or False. Significant evidence is available to support a risk association between bisphenol A or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and endometriosis.
Answer Key:
1. A. True - According to a review article published in Fertility and Sterility, “although the exact timing of onset and rate of progression of endometriosis are unknown, some researchers suggest that it may have a developmental or in utero origin. Evidence in support of a developmental origin for endometriosis stems from three bodies of observational evidence: müllerianosis, detection in fetuses, and lean body habitus up to the timing of diagnosis.”
2 C. Bispenl A - According to a review article published in Fertility and Sterility, “to date, the research focusing on EDCs and endometriosis is largely focused on persistent chemicals, including dioxin-like compounds, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), PCBs, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAAs), and select metals.” Bisphenol A, as well as benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters (BP-type filters or sunscreens) and phthalates are nonpersistent chemicals.
3. According to a review article published in Fertility and Sterility, “the relation between EDCs and endometriosis is plausible in light of the multitude of biologic actions found for EDCs, including their ability to alter hormone synthesis, modulate receptors, or act as agonists or antagonists.”
4. According to a review article published in Fertility and Sterility, “the toxicity of EDCs for reproductive tract organs has been previously reviewed for endometriosis. A number of EDCs bind to and activate estrogen receptor α and exhibit dose-dependent agonist/antagonist effects on estrogen receptor signaling, which are required for angiogenic signaling and inflammatory signaling in the development of endometriosis-like lesions.”
5. According to a review article published in Fertility and Sterility, “although evidence supports a possible relation between many classes of EDCs and an endometriosis diagnosis, we are unaware of any evidence supporting a risk for bisphenol A or PBDEs. This observation may reflect the lack of attention to these compounds relative to other classes of chemicals.”
For complete information, see:
Smarr MM, Kannan K, Buck Louis G. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(4):959-966.