What is Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a multifaceted and chronic condition that often causes significant discomfort. It involves the growth of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, known as endometrial tissue, found outside the uterine cavity along with chronic inflammation (Smolarz, 2021). This “uterine-like” tissue typically develops on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissues lining the pelvis and can spread beyond the pelvic area (Croyle, 2022).
The displaced endometrial tissue reacts to hormonal changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding as it would inside the uterus. As endometriosis spreads, it can cause inflammation, leading to “adhesions, scarring, internal bleeding, bowel or urinary dysfunction” (Croyle, 2022).
Root Causes of Endometriosis:
The exact cause of endometriosis is still unknown, but several theories exist. One popular theory is called “retrograde menstruation” (Tsamantioti, 2023), which suggests that menstrual blood flows backward through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity, where cells can implant and grow.
Other theories include genetic predisposition, immune system disorders, or the transformation of peritoneal cells into endometrial-like cells due to specific triggers. Regardless of the cause, estrogen influences endometriosis, as the hormone promotes the growth of endometrial tissue (Tsamantioti, 2023).
How is Endometriosis Diagnosed:
Diagnosing endometriosis can be tricky as many of its symptoms often overlap with those of other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to potential delays in diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis typically involves a laparoscopy (Smolarz, 2021), a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows doctors to visually inspect and biopsy the affected areas. While methods like ultrasound or MRI can suggest the presence of endometriosis, they cannot confirm it.
Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis:
One of the most distressing symptoms of endometriosis is severe pelvic pain, often associated with menstrual cycles, but it can persist throughout the month. The pain is typically more intense than regular menstrual cramps and can radiate to the lower back and down the legs, significantly impacting daily life and causing emotional distress.
Other signs and symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Pain during intercourse
- Painful bowel movements
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Abdominal fullness
- Constipation
- Irregular or unpredictable menstrual cycles
- Lower back pain
- Infertility
- Urinary frequency or urgency
Conventional Treatment of Endometriosis:
Treatment for endometriosis depends on the severity of symptoms and a woman’s reproductive goals. For symptom relief, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help manage pain (Cryole, 2022). Hormonal therapies, like birth control pills, progesterone treatments, or GnRH agonists, can reduce or prevent menstruation, slowing the growth of endometrial tissue. In cases where hormonal therapies are ineffective or if a woman desires pregnancy, laparoscopic surgery to remove endometrial tissue can provide relief, but it’s important to be aware that symptoms may recur over time (Eisenberg, 2021).
The Infinite Wellness Approach to Endometriosis:
At Infinite Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach to endometriosis, addressing its root causes and viewing it as a systemic rather than just a gynecological issue. Our providers analyze all aspects of your health, including lifestyle, diet, stress levels, hormonal balance, immune function, and environmental factors. Endometriosis is linked to chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances, which may be affected by diet, gut health, and environmental toxins. Our approach aims to uncover and address these underlying factors to provide sustainable relief and improve overall health.
Infinite Wellness Testing for Endometriosis:
When it comes to treating women who have endometriosis, here are just some of the labs that we commonly recommend:
Hormone Testing: Provides a detailed view of hormone levels, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. For women with endometriosis, identifying hormonal imbalances can help reveal the root causes of symptoms, guide personalized treatment, and support better hormone regulation.
Stool Testing: Women with endometriosis often present with alterations to their gut microbiome. These disturbances may contribute to immune dysregulation, estrogen imbalances, and inflammation (Zizolfi, 2023). A comprehensive stool test can assess gut health by analyzing bacterial balance (good vs. bad), inflammation, and immune markers in the gut.
The IW Women’s Wellness includes a series of 20+ various blood markers that assess nutritional imbalances such as iron and vitamin deficiency. It also checks for inflammatory markers, especially since endometriosis can increase inflammation as it progresses.
Sources Cited:
- Croyle, W. (2024, August 2). Endometriosis: Defining it, recognizing it, and treating it. Endometriosis : Causes – Symptoms – Diagnosis – and Treatment. https://www.endofound.org/endometriosis
- Eisenberg, E., & Britton Chahine, E. (Eds.). (n.d.). Endometriosis: Office on women’s health. OASH | Office on Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
- Smolarz B, Szyłło K, Romanowicz H. Endometriosis: Epidemiology, Classification, Pathogenesis, Treatment and Genetics (Review of Literature). Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 29;22(19):10554. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910554. PMID: 34638893; PMCID: PMC8508982.
- Tsamantioti ES, Mahdy H. Endometriosis. [Updated 2023 Jan 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567777/
- Zizolfi B, Foreste V, Gallo A, Martone S, Giampaolino P, Di Spiezio Sardo A. Endometriosis and dysbiosis: State of art. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Feb 20;14:1140774. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1140774. PMID: 36891056; PMCID: PMC9986482.
