Welcome Guest Blogger, Melissa Turner of EndoAngel.
Could it really be possible to experience the illusive “Pain Free Period” with Endometriosis?
I have had Endometriosis since I was 19 years old. Let me reveal my age to you and tell you that it has been 12 years of dreading that monthly cycle – the last 3 years of not dreading it too much!
Thing is, I would actually plan my life around my monthly cycle. Luckily, it was regular – the biggest positive I could find in my journey with Endometriosis.
It was always my biggest dread. How bad would it be this month? was my most common question. I would psych myself up for it each month, get prepared, work out what I would do and even what movies I was going to watch as I knew I would be spending a minimum of 2 days lying on the couch. It was nasty! I just hated it so much.
So, when a few years ago, I experienced my first ever completely pain free period, I really couldn’t believe that it was possible. I really thought that perhaps I had gotten the days wrong! I was literally playing tennis on my first day of my period! It was astounding.
The pain free period was a mystery for me. It always felt like it was some kind of magical spell, some kind of innate blessing that was given to other women. It was never something I actually believed would be possible for myself. You might feel the same, especially if you have Endometriosis type period pain – which is far worse than most women’s standard period pain.
The most common symptom with Endometriosis is after all that dreaded painful period and most of us kinda figured out that something wasn’t right by the fact that we had experienced fairly nasty periods. I know my periods were sore from the very first day. I just expected it to be painful every month after that – not the best mindset but it became “normal” for me and for many years I lived in denial that this is what all women experienced. It was only when I realised that 6 Advil’s a day didn’t even touch the pain that I figured something else must be going on. How about you?
So, after more than 12 years of dealing with Endometriosis – in consciously knowing it was Endometriosis and in those years in not knowing, I always had bad period pain. I had bad period pain with synthetic treatments and I had it without. I would spot and I would get all the nasty side-effects that came with it too. I had bloating and a permanent swollen tummy for years. My wardrobe even accommodated this bloated tummy that I simply accepted as “part of having Endometriosis”. I tried all the usual recommendations to reduce the bloating and pain with Endometriosis but in the end, I went with a completely logical and effective method in reducing it all.
Yes, I decided to use a completely holistic approach for my Endometriosis.
I changed my diet, I stressed less and do Yoga daily, I cleared some emotional baggage around my body and I cleanse monthly to ensure all those toxins and pollutants get out of my body.
The most amazing day was when I looked down at my stomach and it wasn’t swollen anymore. I could finally wear those low cut jeans and feel confident! I could wear dresses. Yipeee! A whole new wardrobe 🙂
So, how did I achieve the pain free monthly period with Endometriosis?
I think it all started with really reviewing my diet. Recognising that some foods made my Endometriosis worse, some foods created an inflammatory reaction and that some things were simply not great for hormones that were out of balance. I think cutting out sugar was a HUGE one for me!
I also realised that much of my pain and reactions to foods stemmed from a poor immune function within my body and I made huge steps to reducing the auto-immune response my body was having. I ensured that my foods were organic and clean from toxins and hormones. I also provided it with the tools to detox – especially before my period.
The key thing with Endometriosis and our monthly is to recognise that it is an inflammatory response but that it is largely stimulated by over active estrogen levels. We can reduce inflammation and carefully regulate our estrogen levels with what foods we eat and especially focus on when we eat what within a monthly cycle. For instance, we want to increase our Omega 3 content foods like Chia Seeds the week before our period and ensure we are incredibly well hydrated to ensure the prostaglandins are not over stimulated and that there is sufficient fluids to encourage a smoother monthly flow.
Achieving a pain free monthly cycle is possible – even with Endometriosis! Yipeee!
I, together with many other women using natural approaches for Endometriosis have discover just how empowering it is to use food and herbs to heal so many of the symptoms associated with Endometriosis. Feel free to visit my website to find out more about how you too can become Pain free on your period.
Big hugs,
Melissa
Having discovered the cause of her endless pain at the tender age of 19, Melissa has dedicated her life to finding a way to just live a “normal” life with Endometriosis. She explored all the recommended options including hormonal treatments and after 7 operations decided that there must be a better way for her body. She was tired of dealing with symptoms and covering up her pain with pain-killers! After starting her personal blog in 2010, she started to explore natural healing methods including diet and lifestyle changes. Her research to finding a way to heal from Endometriosis has turned into a huge passion not just for her body and it’s amazing abilities but to help empower more women with Endometriosis, so they too can lead a normal life.
