Endometriosis is a gynecological disease in which tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus - in organs and areas of the body where it does not belong. For example, foci of endometriosis can be distributed in the abdominal cavity, the vaginal wall, bowel and ovaries. It is estimated that one in ten women of childbearing age is affected by endometriosis.
Symptoms that can occur with endometriosis
Endometriosis can manifest in various ways. Severe pain a few days before the next menstrual period is one of the typical symptoms. Depending on the location of the endometriosis focus, pain can also occur during sexual intercourse, during bowel movements and urination or at the time of ovulation. These symptoms can also be accompanied by increased fatigue and exhaustion as well as an increased susceptibility to infections during menstruation. Not only does endometriosis cause severe pain and discomfort but it can impact a women’s ability to conceive children.
What can be done?
There are many treatments for endometriosis - from surgery to remove endometriosis lesions to hormone therapy to prevent the tissue from spreading or growing. In addition to drug therapies, diet can also play a role. There is certainly no single “diet” for women with endometriosis, but the disease can be alleviated and kept in check with a balanced diet rich in vital substances.
Eating for health
Endometriosis is an extremely energy-sapping disease that can put a great deal of physical and emotional strain on women. It is therefore even more important not to increase stress on your body via your diet. As inflammatory processes play a major role in endometriosis, an anti-inflammatory diet is the highest priority. This means aiming for a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes. These foods contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can have a positive effect on inflammation. In combination with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which are mainly found in sea fish and high-quality cold-pressed oils such as flaxseed, colza, hemp seed or walnut oil, the anti-inflammatory effect is enhanced.
Red meat, dairy products as well as sugar and gluten, on the other hand, should be largely avoided, as these foods can often fuel inflammation and can also have an unfavorable effect on the hormone balance.
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