How to overcome endometriosis

I am taking supplements daily to boost my own body immune system. At this age of 67yrs, and still on full time medical practice, I am constantly exposed to intense physical and mental stress and this inadvertently will drain my energy and weaken my body resistence . I thank Allah SWT for giving me excellent physical and mental health.
As I am not a golfer nor a sportman, I have to devise my own physical exercise which is essential for sustainence of my health. I cannot jog for my knee is already suffering from arthritis, a sequele of right knee injury more than 20 years ago. What I do now is gardening , I spend about 30 minutes in the morning and evening. I attend to my garden around my house, which I planted some local fruits and Herbs. This is a good hobby at the same time I benefitted from the yield of my gardening, ie the fruits, vegetables and the herbs.
The supplements I take on daily basis are as follows :
1. I take Anti oxidants. I have several types but I do not take all of them at same time , instead I rotate them.- NuRev which contain Resvereterol Acai and noni and NuFocus. The anti oxidants are extremely helpful to me. Give me energy , no lethargy or malaise, my mind very alert, and do not feel sleepy. Keep me focussed and full concentration in whatever chore I am doing.
2. Vitamin C 500mg to 1 Gm per day. Sometime I even increased upto 2Gm if and when I am exposed to infectious diseases.
3. Vitamin E 400-800 IU
4. Multivitamins containing mainly B complex and minerals.
5. Calcium lactate 300-600 mg
6. Antiinflammatory tablets for my arthritis
7. Fish oil 1gm which contain Omega 3 and DHA
8. Gingko/Ginseng on ad hoc basis

I take lots of fruits either local products or imported , papaya, water melon ,guava, apple. grapes, dragon fruits, oranges, promegenate, bananas (we have almost non stop supply of bananas as they are grown imy garden) etc and I usually consume fruits before meals. This is the right way. Fruits should not be taken after meals.
My meal is incomplete without vegetables, lots of them. Fortunately local vegetables are always available from my own garden . kangkong , bayam , turi, egg plant etc.
Local herbs or ulam are my favourite and they are always present on my dining table and they are planted in my garden, ulam raja, sambung nyawa, basil, selom, mint, ginseng leave, pegaga, tujuh jarum misai kucing etc.
It is best that we stay away from fast and processed foods and consume fresh and raw foods. Try eat fruits in between meals rather than snacks which are rich in carbohydrate and sugar. Fruits when eaten with empty somach will benefit us maximally and all their goodness, the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants contained in various fruits will be better digested and absorbed.

As my special interest has been in the area of infertility treatment, I think I have seen thousands of patients with endometriosis. I estimated this condition to be responsible for at least 30% of all cases of female infertility. The majority of those patients that came to me are seeking treatment for the first time while about one third had been treated before by other obgyn consultants.Some patients had already uderwent one surgery whilst some had two or more surgeries before seeing me.

Surgery is usually the main option for treating endometriosis if the period pain is severe,or if patient is trying to conceive for many years but failed, or had previous early miscarriages, the uterus is retroverted with active endometriotic growth or cyst.

Endomeriosis is a progressive disease inflicting continous and severe damage to the reproductive organs especially the ovaries, fallopian tubes , uterus and the surrounding areas rendering the fertilility function useless and at the same causing severe pain.

People are still debating about the actual cause of endometriosis but had not come to a definite conclusion because there many possible factors . It is sometimes referred to a disease of theories. Whatever people say about its origin, I strongly believe that one of the main causative factors is retroverted uterus. Some girls are born with weak round liagaments that usually hold the uterus forward and as a result the uterus tend to fall backwards or retroverted.

Retrograde menstruation is one the most popular theory and this phenomenon occur more frequently in retroverted uterus than in anteverted uterus. It means that the menstrual blood back flow through the fallopian tubes and into the space behind the uterus called pouch of Douglas.

As we are aware menstrual blood consists of blood, endometrial tissues that slough off from inner uterine lining and bacteria and other 'toxins'. These toxic materials are entering the area where fertilization of sperm and ovum occur and it is likely that these toxins prevent fertilization.

Over period of time this recurring retrograde menstruation will lead to the growth and proliferation of endometrial tissues outside the uterus this the term 'endometriosis' which further inflict more damage to the surrounding areas and causing severe pain and also making it more difficult for the person to conceive.

While retrograde menstruation may occur in many people why then only selected few are inflicted with endometriosis? There may be other factors that lower her immunity. When I questioned endometriosis patients about their diet, one obvious finding is that theirs are very lacking in fruits and vegetables . Naturally their nutrition is not balanced and usually lacking in vitamins, minerals , certain essential amino acids and antioxidants which are essential in building up body defence system. Their diet also tend to contain excessive carbohydrate , sugar, nitrite and monosodium glutamate as they like to consume fast and junk foods.

Body immune system is lowered by external toxins, chemicals and pollutants that are present around us. We are constantly exposed and inadvertently inhaling and absorbing all of those toxins to the detriment of our immune system.

Physical , mental and emotional stress also have lowering effects on immune system. No doubt everyone of us are constantly exposed to stress but it is important that one should develop ability to handle and cope with stress so as to minimize its effects on the immune system and health. Typically endometriosis patients are stress prone.

Estrogen dominance. The hormone balance between estrogen and progesterone in a woman body is very important for her feminity, fertility and health. When the balance is maintained her menstrual cycle is regular and ovulation is likely to happen, hence she is fertile.
However there are many conditions and situation which can tipped this delicate balance and the effects can be disastrous to that particular woman. In this sitaution various tumors in the breast, uterus and cervix can emerged and some of these can be cancerous. Endometriosis is also stimulated by an increased in estrogen levels.

Patents with endometriosis have imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. - too much estrogen with less progesterone. This state of imbalance is said to contribute to the growth of endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, fibroadenoma of breast and possibly also breast cancer. This state of imbalance occur naturally in the body of some women and can be increased due to stress situation, foods that contain phytoestrogen and chemicals that contain xenoestrogen.

Listed below are some of the known chemicals shown to have xenoestrogen. Women are advised to limit exposure to these chemicals.

* alkylphenols (intermediate chemicals used in the manufacture of other chemicals)
* atrazine (weedkiller)
* 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
* butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
* bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
* dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
* dieldrin (insecticide)
* DDT (insecticide)
* endosulfan (insecticide)
* erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
* ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill) (released into the environment as a xenoestrogen)
* heptachlor (insecticide)
* lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide)
* metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
* methoxychlor (insecticide)
* nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
* pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative)
* polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
* parabens (lotions)
* phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
* phthalates (plasticizers)
o DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
* Propyl gallate (used to protect oils and fats in products from oxidation)

Having gone through the experience in the past, I am determined that this progressive and damaging disease can be prevented. We should start early in a girl's life ie soon after her onset of her first menses. In the early stage her menstrual cycle may be irregular due to initial imbalance of her hormones. In a year or two, when her cycle begin to be regular she may start having painful periods.

There two types of dysmenorrhea or period pain , first one is due to excessive contraction of the uterus while trying to expel her menstrual blood and the cervical canal at that stage still narrow and tight. The second category is associated with retroverted uterus (tilting of uterus to the back bone) , this can only be confirmed by ultrasound examination. In this case the pain is severe and is due to backflowing of the menstrual blood in the cavity behind the uterus.

I have mention the possible causes of endometriosis in an article below. What I feet strongly about is that every young girl who experience severe period pain should undergo ultrasound scanning to determine the position of her uterus. Subsequently she should be monitered closely for further development and possibility that endometriosis may start to grow. I am saying this because recently I have been getting young girls having stage4 endometriosis. At the same time we have to work hard to boost her immunity through proper food and balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits. She should undergo simultaneous program on how to manage and reduce stress.

I also suggest she undergo corrective surgery preferably via laparoscopy to 'Uplift her Uterus', ie correcting her retroveted uterus to normal anteverted position. This proposition may sound radical but in the long run may save many women from very severe and debilitating endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Yesterday 6th sept 2010, I operated on the patient , a malaysian woman who returned from australia for Eid holiday and I diagnosed her with endometriosis and adenomyosis. She had 2 miscarriages before and a long standing history of severe period pain but unfortunately this diagnosis was never picked up before.
I was very suprised that her endometriosis is already in stage 4, very severe damage in her reproductive system. He uterus is enlarged to 10 weeks pregnancy size adenomyosis and its back wall completely stuck to rectum as a result of long standing inflammatory reaction . This is indeed endometriosis damage at its worst.
There endometriotic cysts in both ovaries , each 3 cm in size , and both ovaries stuck to the pelvic walls with severe adhesion and scarring.
Both fallopian tubes are also badly damaged , grossly swollen with some degree of blockage.
I did whatever neccessary to rectify the situation but I must admit that I cannot be very optimistic in trying to get her to conceive in future. She is now recovering from the operation and I will be giving her hormone progesterone for at 3 months to assist in recovery. Hoping that Allah SWT will bless with good health and reward her with offspring.

Endometriosis is a progressive disease and is damaging many parts of reproductive system, the ovary, uterus and the fallopian tubes. Damage to the fallopian tubes is one of the ways the disease makes a woman sterile. The damage is done during the retrograde menstruation, whereby the mensrual blood which contains blood, endometrial tissues, various types of bacteria and viruses and other toxins cause inflammtory reactions with end results of fibrosis, adhesions and fluid collection.

The tubes can be completely or partially blocked either proximally ie near the junction with the uterus, midway or at the terminal or fimbrial ends which often become swollen, distorted, tortous snake bends and filled up with blood stained fluid or sometimes pus. These changes rendered the fallopian tubes incapable of transporting the sperms and embryos thus preventing conception and pregnancy. The damaged tubes which may be partially fuctional may cause ectopic pregnancy at the tubes
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Just yesterday 3rd sept 2010 I had a patient, a malaysian who is studying for her PHD in austarlia. She had been married for more than 3 years . Even though she had been pregnant 2 times but unfortunately she has no living child. Her first pregnancy in 2009 ended up in fetal death at about 7 month and she became pregnant again early this year but again she had miscarriage having missed her period for 2 weeks and pregnancy positive.

She had been seeing her gynecologist in australia for she wanted to get pregant soonest possible and age is catching up. She was given various types of hormones to stabilize her periods and to make fertile. And yet with due respect she was never told that she had any patholoy in her uterus or ovaries in spite of the fact that she complained of severe period pain.

She is back in malaysia for holiday to celebrate the coming of Eidilfitri. She consulted me about her problem and when I examined her i found that she has endometriotic cyst of left ovary, retroverted and enalarged uterus equivalent to 2 months pregnancy indicating that she already had Adenomyosis, ie the severe end result of endometriosis.

It was unfortunate that her condition was not detected much earlier because it is now already reached stage4 endometriosis. We discussed her situation now the patient and her husband had agreed tha she undergo immediate operation to overcome her condition.

There are certain foods to avoid with endometriosis. In fact, many women who suffer from endometriosis can improve their condition and their symptoms naturally by simply controlling their diet. Knowing what not to eat can make a significant difference in the way an endometriosis sufferer feels.

Creating an endometriosis friendly diet is about eliminating foods that increase prostaglandins. Prostaglandins stimulate estrogen, which is the main hormone that wreaks havoc in an endometriosis sufferer. Estrogen is responsible for symptoms including painful menstrual cramps, as well as meorrhagia (heavy menses), diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

However, when you learn what foods to avoid with endometriosis, you will discover that not all prostaglandin are bad. For instance, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) actually helps to relieve symptoms, while prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) contribute to the symptoms mentioned above.

The following are 10 foods to avoid with endometriosis -

1. Sugar - Sugar, in all its forms (refined, artificial, natural), can produce a more acidic environment which can encourage the inflammatory pain of endometriosis. Therefore, it's a good idea to limit the consumption of chocolate, sweeteners, drinks and sweets with high levels of sugar, and honey.

2. Wheat - Wheat contains phytic acid which can aggravate endometriosis symptoms. Furthermore, wheat contains gluten, and studies have found that many endometriosis sufferers appear to have gluten sensitivity which can cause and increase painful symptoms. Products containing wheat and gluten should be avoided or limited.

3. Soy products - Like wheat, soy contains phytic acid; however the levels of phytic acid in soy are considerably higher than wheat. Phytic acid is known to irritate the digestive system and reduces mineral absorption, especially calcium. Soy is found in many food products including granola, pasta, imitation meat, soy milk, soy based cheese, etc.

4. Caffeine - Caffeine, especially when consumed in high amounts, has been found to increase estrogen levels, which can trigger endometriosis attacks and cause the condition to develop. Caffeine foods to avoid with endometriosis include coffee, tea and soda. Consuming more than two cups of coffee a day may cause estrogen levels to rise.

5. Alcohol - Alcohol eats up vitamin B stored in the liver. Liver function plays an essential role in clearing out excess estrogen which helps to control endometriosis. Eliminating alcohol on the body puts excessive stress on the liver, hindering it from expelling other items from the body.

6. Dairy products - Dairy products stimulate the production of PGE2 and PGF2a, which can worsen symptoms. The primary dairy foods that you should avoid with endometriosis include milk and cheeses. To help keep calcium levels up you can find other sources of calcium in sesame seeds, almonds, salmon, sardines, seaweed, figs, and calcium fortified foods (I.E. tofu, orange juice, etc.) Note: Remember to be careful when substituting dairy products such as pasteurized milk with soy milk, as soy can also aggravate symptoms.

7. Red Meat - Meat promotes PGF2a production. Furthermore, red meat may contain growth hormones that include estrogen. If meat is your main source of protein, you can obtain the protein you need through other protein-rich foods such as beans, tofu, tempeh, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, sesame seeds, and peanuts.

8. Saturated fats and oils - Foods that are high in fatty acids stimulate the production of PGE2 and PGF2a. Fatty acids are found in saturated fats, oils (IE coconut oil, palm oil, etc.), butter, margarine, lard, organ meats, and plenty of fried foods.

9. Refined carbohydrates - refined carbohydrates (I.E. white bread, pasta, flour, pastry, cakes, etc.) have had most of their natural nutrients removed. Refined carbohydrates deplete the body's nutritional stores as they are needed in order for the body to absorb the nutrients in the refined carbs. This can lead to endometriosis symptoms. Instead of refined carbs, stick to unrefined carbohydrates such as wholegrain breads, pasta, rice, etc.

10. Additives and preservatives - processed, frozen and pre-packaged are foods to avoid with endometriosis as they are full of additives, preservatives chemicals, and many other ingredients that promote ill-health and PGE2 and PGF2.