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.

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.