Welcome to the Holistic Wellness Center of the Carolinas – Research Based Functional Wellness

Various symptoms may appear due to endometriosis:

• Pain during intercourse
• Severe pain during menstruation
• Pelvic pain
• Painful bowel movements
• Changes in bowel movements associated with the cycle

As a result of endometrial tissue responding to estrogen and other cycling hormones, most symptoms will  follow  patterns associated with a female’s cycle.

Research indicates 30-47% of patients suffering with endometriosis are infertile. Endometriosis can decrease due to pregnancy and thus has stimulated a belief that the today’s higher rates of endometriosis are due to later birthing  ages. It is believed that the pregnancy decreases the sizes of the cysts due to the balancing of estrogen levels. Further evidence to support this is the decline in endometriosis during menopause.

Another possible cause  is retrograde menstruation, which is simply the back flow of menstrual blood  including endometrial tissue.

Current treatments include surgery (which will often cause adhesions and  further  pain in the future). Other treatment include drug therapies that target changing the estrogen levels with introduction of testosterone and progesterone  derivatives. The problem with the drugs are the unwanted side effects, including, weight gain and   hair growth.

At the Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte, we run hormonal tests to check estrogen, androgen, and progesterone levels.   Furthermore, we check for Vitamin D deficiencies that could be causing any auto-immune reactions.   As always, food allergies such as dairy and gluten are evaluated. Herbal formulas and whole food supplements are used to balance any dominant hormones and regulate menstrual flow with excellent results.

 

This post was written by Kristien Boyle L.Ac., the  acupuncturist  at The Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte.