My Apothecary Shelf: Endometriosis

Oh the mysterious trials and tribulations of Endo. Read if you suffer from severe menstrual cramps.

This is one of many posts that are a prelude to the course I will be launching in the next couple of months. This course is directed towards resetting your menstrual cycle and supporting any problems related to hormonal dysregulation.

Oh Endo…. This is for all my women that have been told maybe, probably, it's possible you have endometriosis, but the only way for us to truly know is surgery. I am one of these women. My journey with the mysterious unknown of endometriosis has been laced and strown with severe debilitating menstrual cramps, ovulatory pains, odd, unrelated cyclical menstrual symptoms, and years of frustration with the lack of understanding and support I received from my primary physicians.

It wasn't until I became a doctor myself, that I really started understanding the intricacies and complexities of endometriosis. This is a condition that is truly so different for every person and there is no illness script to match how it presents in people, but most women will experience painful, debilitating period pain that may require them to miss work or school. It is usually familial, so it is likely your mother or grandmother experienced some array of similar symptoms. Endometriosis can cause a variety of symptoms, which may vary in severity from person to person. Common symptoms include:

1. Pelvic Pain – Chronic, severe menstrual cramps that may begin before and extend beyond the period.

2. Heavy or Irregular Periods – Excessive bleeding, spotting between cycles, or prolonged periods.

3. Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) – Deep pelvic pain during or after sex.

4. Pain with Bowel Movements or Urination – More common during menstruation.

5. Digestive Issues – Bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or IBS-like symptoms.

6. Fatigue – Persistent exhaustion even with adequate rest.

7. Infertility – Difficulty conceiving, as endometriosis can affect reproductive organs.

Let's dive into the pathophysiology of endo and some holistic approaches to support symptom management and healing!