Endometriosis is a condition that occurs due to abnormal growth of endometrial cells during a woman's reproductive years. This condition can occur without ever causing any symptoms, while in other women it can be quite painful. For those with symptoms, medications can be taken and surgery may be required in severe cases. Diet can also play a role, however, in an overall plan to manage endometriosis. Before starting any new diet, it is always best to speak with a physician or other health care provider to ensure its safety.
Identification
Each month during the reproductive years, a woman's body readies for pregnancy. To prepare for a fertilized egg, the lining of the uterus or womb (endometrium) thickens. When pregnancy does not occur, part of the endometrium is shed, causing menstrual bleeding. Endometriosis is diagnosed when tissue or cells of the endometrium grow outside of the womb, states the Endometriosis Association. Tissue can grow anywhere, including on the abdomen, ovaries, fallopian tubes, nearby ligaments, the vagina, the rectum, the lining of the pelvic cavity, on the bladder, bowel, cervix, vulva and other spots. While not as common, tissue can even grow in the lungs, arms, thighs and elsewhere. Currently there is no known cause of this condition, which can lead to pain, infertility, fatigue, difficulties with urination and bowel movements and many other symptoms.
Considerations
Even though the endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus, they still respond to the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation. This can lead to inflammation and scar tissue in the affected area, and the symptoms can get worse over time, warns WomensHealth.gov. In cases where this condition causes serous side effects, it is important to become familiar with all of the treatment options available. When endometriosis interferes with everyday life or makes it difficult to become pregnant, dietary changes can be helpful. It may also be necessary, however, to take medications or even consider surgery to help relieve the symptoms.
Warnings
According to the Your Health website, it appears that certain foods can contribute to the development of endometriosis, and these same foods can also make symptoms worse. This includes drinking two or more cups of caffeinated coffee or four cans of cola per day, eating seven or more servings of red meat per week and consuming foods containing polychorinated biphenyls. Foods with the highest level of these chemicals include fish (such as salmon, herring, sardines, fresh tuna, anchovies and swordfish), hamburger, bacon, chicken fat, pork fat, beef fat, milk and eggs. It is recommended to limit these foods to no more than four servings per week or less, depending on symptoms. Although more research is needed, it may be that these chemicals suppress the natural killer cells that would normally eliminate the abnormal cells growing outside the uterus.
Benefits
The Your Health website recommends consuming certain foods to help prevent and manage endometriosis. It appears that women who eat 14 or more servings of green vegetables per week can reduce their risk of endometriosis by up to 70 percent. After a diagnosis of endometriosis is made, eating a diet that is mostly low in fat and vegetarian may help to reduce pain and other symptoms. Before making radical changes to diet, however, it is best to consult with a physician or registered dietitian to avoid complications and ensure that the diet is healthy, well balanced and one that can be followed for a lifetime.
Solution
WomensHealth.gov suggests that to best manage endometriosis a low-fat diet should be followed. The overall plan should also include getting regular exercise, as both will help to reduce body fat. This is important because estrogen can be stored in fat cells and the higher the percent of body fat a woman has, the more estrogen there is in the body. This raises the risk of developing endometriosis and can make symptoms worse.
