Here’s a fun fact for you: 

Pelvic pain is not caused by a deficiency of the birth control pill. 

I might rustle some feathers by saying that, but it’s something we need to be talking more about. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, so it seemed like an important topic to cover. 

Endometriosis is a painful condition in women where tissue that is similar to uterine tissue lives outside the uterus around other pelvic organs. 

Endometrial tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle so that it can cause:

• Painful periods

• Pain during intimacy

• Pain with bowel movements

• Pain during urination

• Fertility problems

But here’s the thing. 

Standard treatments for endometriosis are the birth control pill or other hormonal therapies and sometimes surgery. Some women benefit from these treatments and they can be part of the overall plan. Here’s the problem:

The birth control pill does not treat the root cause of the problem.  

That means many women continue to struggle with pain even with the “best” treatments. 

Do you want to know what the real causes of endometriosis and pelvic pain might be?  Then keep reading because that’s what we do in naturopathic medicine. We find the cause. 

Root Causes of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain

Even though the causes and contributing factors are unique to each woman dealing with pelvic pain, there are common causes we can investigate with naturopathic medicine. For example:

Hormonal Imbalance

Some women with endometriosis have estrogen dominance, or a mismatch between the amount of estrogen and progesterone produced. We can test for hormonal imbalances with a hormone panel.  

Gut Microbiome

Research has found unique changes in the gut microbiome associated with endometriosis. We can test for disruptions of the microbiome with stool testing. 

Immune Reactions

Higher concentrations of inflammatory molecules and immune cells are found in endometrial tissues, suggesting immune reactions may be at play. We can test for markers of inflammation with blood tests. 

Chemicals & Toxins

Common everyday products like plastics and lotions often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mess with your hormones and can contribute to endometriosis and pelvic pain. We can test for toxins and chemicals with an environmental toxin panel. 

Lifestyle Tips for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain

The best way to get lasting improvements is to uncover the cause and treat that. But there are also some lifestyle changes that many women who come to me with pelvic pain have found helpful—no matter the underlying cause. These lifestyle changes work because they decrease overall inflammation in the body, which can be a contributor to pain. Here are the tips: 

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

No matter the cause, inflammation is almost always at play in women struggling with pelvic pain. Focusing on omega-3 fats and lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can lessen the stress on your immune system. 

Workout to Sweat

Working out can increase your endorphins to decrease sensitivity to pain. Exercise supports hormonal balance, and sweating helps to clear toxins from the body.

Cut Alcohol

Alcohol can increase estrogen levels and place a burden on your detoxification systems. For whatever temporary benefits you feel, there’s a good chance it will make things worse in the long run. 

Practice Deep Breathing

Pain can be stressful, and stress can make pain worse in a vicious cycle. Deep breathing, yoga, or meditation are great ways to relieve stress. 

Supplements Studied in the Context of Pelvic Pain

Nutritional supplements do not treat disease, but they provide the necessary nutrients for body systems to work at their best. That’s why several supplements have shown to be beneficial in women struggling with pelvic pain. 

A recent review looked at studies of nutritional supplements in the context of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain and found 13 to show promise:

• Vitamin D

• Zinc

• Omega-3s

• Curcumin

• Quercetin 

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

• Probiotics or Prebiotics

• Resveratrol

• Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Selenium

• EGCG (from green tea)

This is a long list, and I would never suggest that any of my patients take this many supplements. However, it’s encouraging to see that so many nutrients can be beneficial. It’s solid scientific evidence that nutrition really can make a difference. 

That means that taking a pill until menopause is not the only option when it comes to pelvic pain. 

Interested in getting to the root cause of your health concerns? Apply to work with us through our signature program, Thrive Tribe.