Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine is a Toronto naturopathic clinic dedicated to providing safe and effective treatment of a wide variety of health conditions using natural therapies and the principles of naturopathic medicine.
Endometriosis is well treated using naturopathic medicine. Endometriosis is a disorder involving the endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus. The endometrium is the tissue that, throughout the menstrual cycle thickens, breaks down and bleeds. In endometriosis, endometrial tissue, distributed by unknown mechanisms to other locations in the body (e.g., fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic lining) continues to act according to its’ normal cycle. If located outside the uterus, blood from endometrial bleeding has no exit from the body. Trapped blood irritates surrounding tissue, and may lead to cysts, scars and adhesion of nearby organs. Endometriosis may impair fertility. Professional healthcare should be sought out if you note symptoms that cause you to suspect you may have endometriosis.
Symptoms of endometriosis
Possible symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrheal)
- Pelvic pain (e.g., with intercourse, bowel movements or urination; during ovulation)
- Heavy bleeding at menstrual periods (menorrhagia)
- Bleeding between menstrual periods (menometrorrhagia)
- Infertility
Endometriosis treatment at Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine, the goals of endometriosis treatment are to reduce pain and bleeding associated with hormonal fluctuations.
Conventional treatment for endometriosis may include surgery, or a variety of medications, including oral contraceptives, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists and danazol, medroxyprogesterone and aromatase inhibitors which may have short- or long-term side effects. For this reason, you may choose to try natural treatment to possibly avoid use of conventional medications, or together with conventional medications in order to decrease dosages of conventional medications required to manage your endometriosis symptoms.
Naturopathic treatment of any chronic health concern must be recognized as a process that involves identifying specific treatment goals, a thorough understanding by your naturopathic doctor of all factors affecting your health, including physical, psychological, emotional and lifestyle factors, development of a comprehensive treatment plan and execution of that plan through periodic monitoring and adjustment.
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine, a number of therapeutic options may be used in treatment of endometriosis, alone, or more often in a complementary fashion, including:
- Botanical (herbal) medicines
- Hydrotherapy
- Homeopathic medicines
- Acupuncture
- Nutritional supplements
- Bowen Therapy
- Lifestyle counseling
- Relaxation techniques
Reference
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Endometriosis [Online]. [cited 2009 Feb 18]; Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289