I am extremely empathetic to those women with endometriosis as I used to suffer from pelvic pain, heavy menstrual flow, and at times vomiting and constipation dating back to the age of 12. Although I haven’t been diagnosed with the disease, I’m pretty sure the rupture of my appendix when I was in 3rd grade paved the way for my discomfort around my menstrual cycle.

For those reading this and are unsure of what endometriosis is exactly, according to Mayo Clinic, “it is often a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus – the endometrium – grows outside your uterus. Often times it spreads to the fallopian tubes, ovaries and the ligaments that hold the organs in place which may cause trouble when trying to conceive and cause pain.

Many women do not realize that they have it until they are trying to conceive. As it’s hard to diagnose without laparoscopic surgery  which I’ve done and it’s not the greatest experience as you can imagine, but can help clean up scar tissue temporarily which can relieve discomfort and offer a window to try to conceive, but it’s likely to come back if the root cause isn’t found.

Also, I believe because so many women are suffering from pelvic pain and PMS symptoms it’s become seen as a cliché to have these symptoms so they are brushed off as normal.

The symptoms of endometriosis are typically associated with the menstrual cycle and unique to each woman and may include: Pain during sex, extreme cramps that don’t go away with anti-inflammatories or that impede daily life, bowel and urinary disorders, periods that last longer than seven days, heavy cycle (changing pad or tampon every hour) and nauseous or vomiting. YUCK!

Good news! There are ways to decrease symptoms in a non-invasive way FIRST!

• Be mindful. Start to track your symptoms daily: mood, stress levels, diet and exercise to see if there’s a pattern to your pain.
• Try an elimination diet. Certain foods many be triggering inflammation in your body.  See my co-worker Mia Zarlengo, MS, RDN recommendations here. 
• Balancing your hormones. High levels of estrogen is connected to endometriosis. Studies show when estrogen is dominant over progesterone, or progesterone is too low, it can set a woman up for pelvic pain.
• Seek out a pelvic physical therapist or massage therapist specializing in fertility. Listen to my interview series to learn more about my experience with a pelvic physical therapist Dana Sackar here

Do you have or think you have endometriosis and are trying to conceive? Do you want support to help guide you to the root cause of your pain and heal your body?

Reach out for a complementary 20 minutes consultation now!

Be well,

Diana 

This week’s tip is for the men out there trying to get more healthy and fertile. Typically, the fertility path begins with all the focus on the woman’s health and zero talk about the other 50% of the equation, which in my opinion is inefficient. For example, it wasn’t until I got to the reproductive endocrinologist stage in my fertility journey that my husband was addressed, crazy! Which is why I would like to share a few tips I’ve learn from Dr. Susie Gronski for the guys out there who would like to be sure they are doing their role in creating a healthy baby!

Here’s a couple tips to naturally boost your testosterone gentlemen:

1. Establish or maintain a health weight. I’m sure you hear about all the benefits of keeping this in check: improves cardiovascular health and vitality, positively impacts sexual health and function and keeps testosterone levels in check. Excess belly fat can lead to excess estrogen which is said to lower testosterone.
2. Eat testosterone boosting Diet: crowding out fast food, process food, starchy carbohydrates and sugars with lots of veggies, high quality protein, and healthy fats;
3. Regular exercise. She recommends high intensity interval training and I would recommend yoga (of course) which tackles the stress, anxiety as well as the exercise component.

Need help getting started or wanting to learn more natural boosting tips? Reach out to me here! I’d love to help you get healthier!

Be well,

Diana