Endometriosis can make it difficult to conceive and if you’re having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor may recommend fertility treatment under the supervision of a fertility specialist where fertility treatment options include everything from stimulating your ovaries to in vitro fertilization to produce more eggs. Endometriosis can be a difficult disease to manage both physically and emotionally but there are some things you can do to combat the discomfort of endometriosis and improve your quality of life.
Because endometriosis affects each woman differently, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment regimen, but some lifestyle adjustments, home remedies, treatment strategies, and prescription medications can make the disease more tolerable on a daily basis. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Prithika Shetty, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, suggests some effective strategies to combat endometriosis:
- Keep an eye on your nutrition.
Eating the right foods can help prevent endometriosis. The importance of nutrition in endometriosis has recently been examined due to the effect of diet on disease-related processes such as inflammation, prostaglandin metabolism and estrogen activity. Pesticides and pesticides that can be consumed through certain nutrients have been linked to endometriosis.
2. Purchase a wireless heating pad.
One of the best home remedies for endometriosis pain, which was discovered in 2015, is a heating pad. Before my surgery, I attached my heating pad to the wall and took it with me wherever I went. This helps relax and calm the muscles in the area that cramp when you have endo discomfort.
3. Keep it natural.
Dioxin, a toxin found in certain pesticides and animal feed, has been linked to endometriosis. You can reduce your exposure to environmental toxins such as dioxins by reducing your consumption of animal products and trying to follow a low-gluten and organic diet as much as possible. To control my symptoms, I try to eat healthily and avoid soy at all costs because of the hormonal spikes.
4. Surgical options
In people who do not want to become pregnant, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) can sometimes be used to address the signs and symptoms associated with endometriosis, such as painful periods due to excessive menstrual flow and uterine cramping. Even if the ovaries are left in place, a hysterectomy can have long-term effects on your health, especially if done before the age of 35.
5. Use vitamin D and B vitamins.
Vitamin D is called the “happiness vitamin” because it reduces anxiety and depression. B vitamins boost your energy on days when your endometriosis symptoms are severe. Researchers have also found that the amount of fat in your diet affects your risk of endometriosis. According to one study, participants who ate the most trans fat had a 48 percent increased risk of endometriosis compared to those who ate the least. For example, those who consumed the most omega-3 oils reduced their risk of endometriosis by 22% compared to those who consumed the least. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts, may be beneficial for endometriosis.
Prithika Shetty highlights, “Endometriosis cannot be cured but the symptoms can be managed. See your doctor if you are still suffering from particularly severe or chronic discomfort. Your birth control technique or prescription medications may need to be adjusted. If none of these measures help control your endometriosis symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. The strategy you and your doctor choose depends on your signs and symptoms, as well as whether or not you want to get pregnant in the future. Before starting any treatment, it’s important to understand all of your options and the potential effects of each.”