Diet & Exercise Controls Endometriosis
I have been diagnosed with Endometriosis (Stage IV). This is a severe case, since Stage IV marks the last possible stage. In the past, I have been controlling the pain with birth control pills. After many years, I wanted to get off the pill for health reasons but also feared a return of the extreme pain. I was able to completely control / eliminate the pain with a change in diet and reduction in stress. The diet should be absolutely pure - no processed food, no sugar (includes all forms of sugar), no junk food at all, and instead, salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, occasional juicing (fresh fruit / vegetables such as carrot & apple juice), good fats, such as flax or olive oil, raw nuts and green tea. Adding work-outs and some gentle stretching also helps. I was able to avoid surgery and have never looked or felt better. Without changes in diet & stress reduction, the medical prescription would either be a bowel re-section to remove the obstruction or the drug (Lupor) would be prescribed. This drug is known to have serious & uncomfortable side effects (bone loss, headache & pseudo-menopause) and is not at all effective in the long run (symptoms return again once the drug is stopped). I didn’t want to go that route and decided to control/eliminate the pain naturally.
Lisa M., Connecticut
March 29th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Hi Lisa,
I also have lived with stage IV Endometriosis for quite sometime (over 5 years). I do not wish to have a hystrorectomy until my husband and I have one more child. Do you suffer from a lot of low back/hip pain? Also, how do you stay off all sweets. I have a major sweet tooth every night to eat ice cream.
November 13th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
i just had laporscopic surgery for my endometriosis and they want to put me on lupron for six months so that i may be able to have more children in the future. However i have some concerns about lupron, so tell me where can i find accurate information about how it works and it’s side effects, because what your telling me is reduce my stress ,eat right and exercise. I’am a single mother with a fulltime job ( I DONT HAVE ANY OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT) SO what should i do?
July 6th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
i have had 2 laporscopic sugery in the past 6 years. i am a proud mother of a 1 year old as a ressolt of removal of some emdo in my tubes. my wight has reached an all time high of 302 lbs. my question is i how do I loose atleast 100 lbs just so then i have better control of the endometriosis and my body? I have started to watch what I eat & walk 30 minutes with my son everyday. I need help & don’t know who to aask or where to go.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:39 am
I’ve been waiting for my laparoscope for nearly 9months (public health system… long story), and before seeking help my pain was preventing my normal every day life, including thinking!
I have in the meantime tried a dairy, gluten and meat (except seafood) free diet, in addition to accupuncture and chinese herbs. I also begin every day with a cup of hot water and fresh lemon juice. It gets your liver going, which is a major organ in aiding the reproductive system and filtering out additional estrogen, which we ladies are all producing. Another excellent addition is blueberries and raw red paw paw. Both fruits contain progesterone which helps to balance out our extra oestrogen.
Rebecca - In terms of lower back/hip pain. I suffer it a lot. Its not uncommon. Often I am too uncomfortable to sleep.
Karynda - Well done on trying to lose weight. Its a very very hard task at the beginning, but walking 30min each day is a fantastic way to start. Just keep at it, and you will be amazed at the difference. Allow at least three weeks to a month to begin to feel it.
To help control the sweet tooth, eat lots of protein from fish and nuts as your source of protein. I also eat a lot of fresh and dried fruit (preferably without sulphates and preservatives). I do have the incredible energy lows about two weeks prior to my period, and then in the two or three days leading up to it. At my worst it was a constant fatigue.
With a dairy/gluten free diet there are some dark chocolates which dont contain either, just read the ingredients and ensure no ‘milk solids’.
Its difficult to eat and behave differently to your friendship group, however, i’m finding it easier than suffering unbearable pain every day.
Best of luck to you all.
February 20th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
These comments are SO helpful. BUT I NEED MORE HELP…. anyone have any insight on the onset of endo pain after one year of being pain-free? My story in short: diagnosed one year ago, put on Seasonique (3 month birth control pill) which worked wonders in controlling pain. This month my period came one week early, at the end i started new pack of pills and a day later the endo pain came… cramps, nausea, pressure. I don’t understand how it could come on so strong after being gone completely for one year. My GYN put me on Vicuprofen, which dulls pain, but does not erase it; she’s also doing testing to rule out UTI, or fibroids or problematic cysts. I also love to work out, but spin/bike class was uncomfortable. Anyone know if certain exercises are not good if you have endo? Anyone know how or why the pain could just come on seemingly from nowhere? ANY INSIGHTS MUCH APPRECIATED!
March 17th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I was disgnosed with endo as well and had the surgery 4 months ago, I use to have attacks so bad in my lower stomach that I couldn’t stand it then it went away. I lost over 167 pounds and even though I was underweight after that it seemed to help with the pain. Last summer 2008 was a turning point for me as the pain started in my right hip two days later it went to my left hip and then to my lower stomach ( the pain never left either side either) I was basically bed ridden for 6 months and put on a whacking 20 pounds.. After the surgery things seemed to get better but it has been 4 months now and I was on birth control since I was 13 years old ( now 26 ) and I find that now that I am trying to get pregnant that one week before my period is suppose to start I get sick to my stomach every night and then my periods are 10 days late ( the last two months) I went to the surgeon but he just threw me off.. I tried exercising today and the pain in my lower stomach almost brought me to tears… What can you do to exercise and not get bad pain??
March 17th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
If anyone can help me please email me at water_lily25@live.ca
Thank you
September 9th, 2009 at 6:31 am
i am 26 years old and recently diagnose with endometriosis, my doctor did not make clear the extent of the endo. but the endometrial stripe measures 1cm, the left ovary is 2.2 cm by 2.3 cm and right ovary 4.0 cm by 3.6cm. can somebody help me deal with this? i don’t experience excruciating pain, but just minor pains, not severe one,, for how many hours should i exercise each day? dairy products are forbidden? does it include non - pasteurized milk? low-fat milk?