Endometriosis is a complex and often painful condition that affects millions of women worldwide. While conventional treatments focus on pain management and surgical interventions, functional medicine takes a root-cause approach to address the underlying imbalances contributing to the disease. As a nutritional therapist ,specialising in women’s health, I help women with endometriosis navigate their symptoms through targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis
• Severe menstrual cramps that don't improve with typical pain relief methods
• Heavy or irregular periods with clotting
• Pelvic pain that extends beyond menstruation
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or nausea (often mistaken for IBS)
• Chronic fatigue and low energy
• Infertility or difficulty conceiving
• Painful bowel movements or urination, especially during menstruation
• Hormonal imbalances, particularly high estrogen levels
• Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction
• Gut health issues, including dysbiosis and leaky gut
• Environmental toxins that act as endocrine disruptors
• Genetics, as endometriosis can run in families
How is endometriosis treated?
There is no single test for endometriosis so it is difficult to diagnose and many women take many years to get a diagnosis. Your GP may offer pain relief, hormone treatments (the OCP or the coil). Although the OCP can reduce bleeding it does not target the root cause or drivers of endometriosis. Referral to a gynaecologist is required if symptoms severe. Diagnosis methods can be an ultrasound, MRI often leading to surgery to remove the lesions of endometriosis.
How a Nutritional Therapist Approach Can Help
1.Balancing Hormones Naturally
Since endometriosis is estrogen-driven, supporting hormone balance is key. This includes:
• Promoting liver detoxification to help the body eliminate excess estrogen
• Supporting progesterone levels with nutrient-dense foods and stress management
• Avoiding xenoestrogens (synthetic estrogens) found in plastics, cosmetics, and pesticides
Chronic inflammation fuels pain and disease progression. An anti-inflammatory diet can help by:
• Increasing omega-3-rich foods like wild salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts
• Reducing inflammatory foods like refined sugar, dairy, gluten, and processed foods
• Including antioxidant-rich foods like berries, leafy greens, and turmeric
• Eating fibre-rich foods to support healthy digestion and estrogen elimination
• Addressing gut dysbiosis with probiotics and prebiotics
• Reducing gut irritants like alcohol, processed foods, and artificial sweeteners
• Drinking plenty of water and incorporating lemon for gentle detox support
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine, which can burden the liver
• Mindful practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
• Priortising restorative sleep (7-9 hours per night)
For more information on the benefits of nutritional therapy, or to discuss an appropriate treatment, schedule a discovery call today.