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This Is How I Managed My Endometriosis Naturally

Author:

Gemma Barry

July 04, 2017

By Gemma Barry

mbg Contributor

Gemma Barry is a former nurse who now runs The Well Woman Project. She is a certified Mizan practitioner and herbalist.

July 04, 2017

Endometriosis changed my life…for the better

It may be hard to believe this statement, but hear me out. I was diagnosed with endometriosis last year—along with adenomyosis, fibroids, and an ovarian cyst. And I want to say this now: Endo is awful. It sucks how long it takes to be diagnosed, and it’s horrible how it affects our lives. The pain and suffering are real, and I hear you loud and clear, ladies. Loud and clear.

But I also firmly believe that there's another way when it comes to treatment. I was offered the standard care of hormones and a hysterectomy, and I declined both. Why? Because I was born with all these parts of my body and believe that they're there for a reason, I didn't want to go through premature menopause (a result of hysterectomy), and I've read enough to know that removing the womb doesn't always mean a cure.

Before you put me in the woo-woo wellness camp, I should tell you that I used to be a nurse. I speak the language of medicine, and it’s why my surgeon looked at me like I was crazy when I said no to all the options she gave me. As I left, she said she would see me back in her office in 10 years begging for a hysterectomy.

So why did I feel confident walking away from the conventional treatments? Because for the last five years I've become intimately acquainted with my body. I've gotten to know my own workings inside and out and back to front. When I was suffering from undiagnosed endo I reached out to health care professionals about my symptoms, but I didn’t get the answers I wanted. First, they didn’t have the time or space to talk; I was batted away like I was making it up or making it worse than it was. I felt like no one believed that my pain or symptoms were real. It was very frustrating, and I built up a lot of resentment and mistrust, so I figured I had nothing to lose and tried to find alternatives.

Today I'm pain-free, and my periods are the textbook periods that most women dream of. They aren’t massively heavy, I get no clots, I don’t have pain, they last about five days, and my cycle that used to be anywhere from 21 to 33 days is now cruising along at an average of 26 days. Here are some of the lifestyle changes I made that worked for me.

I charted my cycle.

Once I started doing this consistently, the messages my body was trying to tell me began to unfold. I recommend getting an app, diary, or even a scrap of paper, and write down what happens to you every day: your emotions, your flow, your skin, and all the sensations in your body. Be as detailed as you can. I would aim to do three months to really build up a picture, but the longer you do it the more you will see.

I opened up about what was going on.

By opening up, I was able to educate others on my condition and get the support I needed. So speak with your family and be open with your employers. The only way we can get our needs met is by naming them. Doing this makes this next part easier: Rest around your period. Go to bed early and lessen the demands you put on yourself.

I looked for some herbal support.

If I've learned anything through my process it's that herbs are freaking amazing! I started taking a specific blend that helps with my womb, the pain, my hormones, and blood flow—nurturing and supporting the whole body. Nettle, which is high in iron, became one of my best friends. Chasteberry may help improve symptoms of PMS, although more research is needed, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

I tried womb massages.

Many traditional medicine systems incorporate abdominal therapy for reproductive health. I went to get Mizan womb massages regularly. Mizan is an Arabic word that means "balance," and the treatment itself is a gentle massage of the abdomen that aims to improve the flow of blood and lymph in the body. The idea is it's supposed to help restore balance and alignment so that the body can heal itself. And believe me, I wish I had known about this magic so much sooner because it did amazing things for my body.

I changed my sanitary products.

I decided to stop using tampons and pad, and noticed my cycle started to regulate almost immediately. If you want to give this a try, look for natural products, moon cups, diva cups, and reusable pads. It was the first thing I did, and I was amazed at how much difference it has made.

I cleaned up my diet.

Once I made to treat my endometriosis naturally, I knew that processed foods and those that cause inflammation—like dairy, gluten, corn, and sugar—had to go. I replaced them with organic products, whole foods, and plenty of vegetables. We are what we eat, so give your body every opportunity to heal by giving it the right fuel.

Did you know that blood sugar plays a big role in hormone balance? Here's a supplement and a smoothie ingredient that can help you balance your blood sugar.