Coelomic Metaplasia And Metastatic Spread
In the 1960s, Ferguson proposed that coelomic metaplasia may also contribute to the development of endometriosis. It stems from the theory that the peritoneum contains undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into endometrial cells . Another theory argues that menstrual tissue travels from the endometrial cavity through lymphatic channels and veins to distant sites, which could attribute to implants found outside the pelvic cavity.
What Vitamins Are Good For Endometriosis
You want to find the best vitamins for endometriosis, and a quality multivitamin may be a good place to start.
It is also helpful to look at individual vitamins and learn how they can benefit women with endometriosis.
The most common recommended vitamins for endometriosis are:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamin C For Endometriosis
You probably think of taking Vitamin C when you have a cold or when youre trying to ward one off. Vitamin C is an excellent choice for boosting your immune system.
Vitamin C is also one of the most popular vitamins to take for endometriosis treatment.
Vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble vitamin, which means that your body does not produce it and also does not store it. You must get it from food or supplementation, and if you have extra vitamin C in your body, it simply comes out in your pee.
How does vitamin C help you if you have endometriosis?
- It acts as an antioxidant, lessening oxidative stress that can be caused by endometriosis.
- Vitamin C boosts your immune system. Overall, health is better when your immune system is functioning at an optimal level.
- It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Vitamin C can help in reducing pelvic pain.
Taking a vitamin C supplement is fine, but its better to get your vitamin C from your diet. And with so many foods rich in vitamin C, getting your daily recommended allowance of vitamin C should be a fairly easy task.
You can get your recommended 75 mg of vitamin C by eating the following fruits and vegetables:
Superovulation And Intrauterine Insemination
Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown that ovulation induction and superovulation both with and without intrauterine insemination increase fertility rates in patients without distorted anatomy . All of these studies focused on patients with minimal-mild endometriosis. There is a lack of data for patients with more advanced endometriosis. Guznik showed that fecundity rates were highest when combining gonadotropin induction with IUI compared to with ICI or IUI/ICI alone . Another study suggested benefit with clomiphene citrate and IUI compared to controls . In addition, a recent randomized study comparing IUI with clomiphene vs. IUI with Letrozole showed a benefit in clinical pregnancy rates with either in women with surgically treated minimal-mild endometriosis and no difference between the two methods . An important aspect to remember is that ovarian stimulation can also exacerbate endometriosis so it should be performed in a controlled manner and be limited to 34 cycles . To summarize, there is evidence to support SO/IUI in women with Stage I or II endometriosis especially if they have been surgically diagnosed and shown to be free of anatomic distortion prior to the therapy. There is not sufficient evidence to support SO/IUI in patients with severe endometriosis.
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What Not To Eat With Endometriosis
The nonprofit information hub Healthy Women also supports the thinking that diet and endometriosis symptoms are linked. The site cautions women with endometriosis to stay away from high-fat foods, since they may increase the level of circulating estrogen in the body. The more fat in your diet, the more estrogen your body produces. This also happens if you’re overweight, they say.
Women with endometriosis should avoid fatty foods, such as red meat and dairy foods that may be high in PCBs and dioxins, to reduce their exposure to these estrogenic pesticides, adds Shepperson Mills. Use organic food whenever you can, or peel fruits and vegetables, she recommends. Some research suggests a link between dioxins in the environment and increased levels of estrogen.
A review published in 2017 in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity is one of several sources that describes a link between oxidative stress which includes the formation of cell-damaging substances called free radicals and endometriosis. Additional research found that a lack of antioxidants may contribute to endometriosis, while absorbing key antioxidant nutrients like selenium and vitamins A, C, and E may help keep it under control.
You Dont Have To Do This Alone
If you have endometriosis, youre thinking about getting pregnant or struggling with fertility, pregnancy loss, unsuccessful IUI, or IVF consider working with a holistically-minded provider who can offer a thorough assessment of your whole health and provide personalized therapeutic options. Or let me know if you need some 1:1: support!
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REFERENCES
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The Effect Of Combined Vitamin C And Vitamin E Supplementation On Oxidative Stress Markers In Women With Endometriosis: A Randomized Triple
doi.org/10.1155/2021/5529741
Main article: Endometriosis and getting pregnant
In women with endometriosis, oxidative stress is believed to be one of the causes of increased inflammation. Oxidative stress on its own occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant levels in the body.
Previous studies found that women with endometriosis have higher levels of ROS and decreased total antioxidant capacity compared to healthy women. This led to the idea that improving antioxidant levels in these women may correct some of the endometriosis related changes in the body.
Two of the most prominent antioxidants, vitamin C and E are generally combined, to help with vitamin E recycling, which together can neutralise free radicals and ROS.
However studies to date on vitamin C and E supplementation in women with endometriosis have been contradictory with experts concluding that more randomized controlled trials of sufficient size are needed to confirm any real benefit.
Fiber Helps Remove Excess Estrogen
Estrogen is a key hormone, and you need some of it for normal functioning. But too much estrogen can aggravate endometriosis symptoms like cramping and pain. Thats where food and fiber can come to the rescue.
Your body gets rid of excess estrogen in the stool, explains Barth. You should have a healthy bowel movement every day. If you dont, you probably have constipation, and your estrogen levels could be too high.
Kick constipation and extra estrogen to the curb by filling up on fiber. Adults should eat 35 grams of fiber every day, says Barth.
You can boost your fiber by eating more:
- Fruits and vegetables, but eat the whole food and avoid juice.
- Ground flaxseed, which you can add to smoothies or home-baked foods.
- Legumes, like beans, lentils and chickpeas.
- Whole grains, like whole-wheat pasta and brown rice.
Just be sure to increase your fiber intake gradually. Adding a lot of fiber at once can cause bloating, gas and digestive discomfort, says Barth. Raise your fiber intake slowly and drink plenty of water to minimize these side effects. Ground flaxseed is packed with fiber, so dont eat more than 3 tablespoons per day.
Recommended Reading: Are Vitamins Good For You
Minerals That Can Help Relax Muscles And Regulate Your Cycle
Calcium gets a lot of attention as an important mineral. But if you have endometriosis, make sure youre also getting magnesium and zinc.
Magnesium helps with menstrual cramps, says Barth. Its a natural muscle relaxer. Magnesium-rich foods include:
- Dark chocolate .
- Leafy greens, like arugula, dark lettuce, kale and spinach.
- Legumes, like black beans and edamame.
- Nuts and seeds, especially almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Zinc regulates your menstrual cycles, which is important for hormonal balance. Zinc helps your body ovulate, or release an egg, explains Barth. When you ovulate, you produce progesterone, which balances out estrogen. Ovulating is also necessary if youre trying to get pregnant.
The highest sources of zinc are animal sources. So if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, ask your doctor if you should take a zinc supplement. Good sources of zinc include:
- Poultry, like chicken or turkey.
- Red meat, but limit this to two low-fat servings per week.
- Shellfish, like oysters, crab and lobster.
Fertility Supplements For Both Women And Men
1. Acetyl L-carnitine
Advantages for women: acetyl L-carnitine contains antioxidants that help promote a healthy female reproductive system
Advantages for men: helps sperm motility
Acetyl L-carnitine is a form of the amino acid L-carnitine , which helps turn fat into energy and occurs in the body naturally. It is thought to help slow down the ageing process of the reproductive system.
Acetyl L-carnitine has stronger antioxidant properties, which are particularly more helpful for female fertility than LC. However, taking both and together can help with PCOS, endometriosis and the absence of a period .
Dose: Ranges between 1-3g per day for both males and females
2. B vitamins
Advantages for women: B vitamins can help promote improved egg health and prevent ovulatory infertility
Advantages for men: they can improve the quality of sperm
Folic acid is a B vitamin, which is usually used to help with pregnancy and fertility for women. However, there are other kinds of B vitamins which have many helpful properties as they are important for the formation and functioning of red blood cells. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, are all associated with a lower risk of an ovulation disorder, ovulatory infertility. Vitamin B12 in particular has been linked to increasing fertility in women undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments, whereas low levels of B12 have been linked to female infertility.
Dose: A B-complex multivitamin can usually provide a lot of your recommended B vitamins.
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How Can I Boost My Fertility
Many factors can affect fertility, several of which may be out of your control, such as your age, genetics, and medical history.
However, doing your best to get all the nutrients necessary to support reproductive health from either food sources or supplements is a great way to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Top 6 Supplements For Endometriosis
These Top 6 Supplements for Endometriosis are super helpful in the Endo pain department but are NOT a complete solution. Supplements should be part of a more personalized, comprehensive, holistic plan.
Endometriosis is complex! If youre new here check out my other endometriosis-related blogs, HERE, for all the details on this condition!
You might consider some or all of the following nutrients. Please be sure youre working with a qualified provider that can guide dosing and potential interactions with other therapies!
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The Hidden Supplements Benefits Nobody Tells You About
The question is inherently complicated, as we are not a one-size-fits-all body or disease. But, there are some vitamins and supplements for endometriosis I take that help restore balance to my life by improving my overall health and providing support for a healthy inflammatory response, stress, and pain.
As we know, the gold standard treatment for endometriosis is excision surgery with an expert endometriosis surgeon. And, supplements or herbs do not replace that, but rather are a tool to help you live your best life.
Ive tried different supplements and different brands. Below you can see which ones work for me.
I still have some bad days when I feel weak and tired. But Ive been exceptionally lucky.
Herbs and supplements can impact different individuals in different ways, and some may experience relief from symptoms when using certain herbs or supplements in a healthy and safe manner.
Adding Antioxidants To Your Diet
Oxidative stress may play a role in endometriosis. You may have heard of free radicals. Free radicals are created inside our cells when weak molecular bonds break apart. These unstable molecular bonds search for other molecules and attempt to steal or break their bonds apart. This can lead to cell damage and death. This process is called oxidative stress.
Some free radical activity in the body is normal. For example, creating free radicals is part of how the bodys immune system fights off infection. You want your body to break apart bad cells like bacteria or viruses. Oxidative stress is also responsible for the natural process of aging.
However, when free radicals become overly abundant, they can attack too many healthy cells. Excessive free radicals lead to chain reactions, with free radicals breaking apart more and more molecular bonds. This can result in disease and advanced aging.
Biological markers of oxidative stress are higher in women with endometriosis. Its thought that these markers may encourage endometrial-like tissue to grow and stick to organs and surfaces outside of the uterus. One possible way to lower the oxidative stress in the body is to increase the number of antioxidants in your diet.
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Summary Of Treatment Options
For women with suspected stage III/IV endometriosis, IVF is recommended. If surgery is performed and the initial surgery does not restore fertility, IVF +/ pre-ART ovulation suppression is an effective alternative compared to repeat surgery although there is currently insufficient evidence to assess the benefit of surgery in addition to IVF on the outcomes of pregnancy .
Vitamins For Endometriosis: A Guide To The Best Vitamins For Endometriosis And How To Get Them
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melissa Thompson, PT, DPT, MTC
Dr. Thompson is board certified and the owner of Louisiana Pelvic Health. Her expertise is in alleviating bladder, bowel, and sexual pain symptoms during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout a woman’s life.
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Your endometriosis may be mild or severe, and perhaps youve tried some traditional therapies and medications.
You, however, prefer natural treatments, so you know that diet, vitamins, and supplements can be important elements to consider for your endometriosis symptoms.
Youre wondering which vitamins to take for endometriosis.
Good newsthere are many vitamins that can benefit you greatly as you continue to learn how your body responds to endometriosis.
In this article, youll learn:
- How vitamins can help
- The benefits of both a healthy diet and supplements
- The best vitamins for endometriosis and fertility
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Maintaining Ideal Body Weight:
Half of the adults in Europe and 61 percent of American adults are overweight. If you are overweight, lose it as fat cells increase estrogen production. The higher the estrogen, the higher the chances of endometriosis. Cancer is more common in overweight people. The evidence on weight is strongest for post-menopausal breast cancer and cancer of the endometrium , gall bladder and kidney.
Over-consumption of calories leads to increased metabolic activity in the body. This in turn leads to excessive free radical formation. Free radicals damage cells and causes genetic mutation, which ultimately can lead to cancer.
Obesity is normally defined by the body mass index or BMI, which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. An index of between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy, while those with a score between 25 and 29 are classified as overweight and those whose BMI is higher than that are considered obese. The target weight should be 5 to 10 per cent below the ideal body weight. Your ideal body weight can be calculated easily. For women, the formula is 100 pounds plus 5 pounds for every inch above 5 feet. Therefore, for a woman standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, her ideal weight is 100 + = 130 pounds. Give or take 5 pounds for large or small frame size respectively.
How To Reduce Exposure To Environmental Estrogens
- Avoid BPA lined cans and plastics. Buy fresh whenever possible, or choose foods stored in glass or BPA-free containers.
- Reduce consumption of soy proteins. Soy contains phytoestrogens.
- Avoid any produce known to be high in pesticide exposure and choose organic whenever possible. Consult the Environmental Working Groups Dirty Dozen list for the latest information.
- Consider your choice of deodorants and cosmetics carefully. Check the products you use on the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep website.
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Vitamin Supplementation Can Improve Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis is an extremely challenging disease. When women with endometriosis are trying to conceive, treatment options are particularly limited. A recent randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that vitamin supplementation can improve endometriosis symptoms. The combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin E significantly reduced painful periods, pain with intercourse, and overall pelvic pain for women with endometriosis. These authors speculate that the combination of Vitamins C and E may have reduced some of the inflammation and oxidative damage induced by endometriosis, thereby resulting in a reduction of symptoms.
These findings are very encouraging, as Vitamins C and E are safe, inexpensive, and widely available. Most importantly, women who are trying to conceive can safely use them . More studies are required to further explore the relationship between antioxidants and endometriosis symptoms. In the meantime, these findings certainly warrant consideration in patients with endometriosis who are trying to conceive.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Endometriosis and Infertility Treatment Options
Contact Us
At Fertility Centers of New England, patients come to us because they are struggling with infertility and/or miscarriages. If you have more questions about how vitamin supplementation can improve endometriosis symptoms or if you are having difficulty conceiving, please contact us for a free consultation.
Exercise Daily & Maintain A Healthy Weight
Regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight has been shown to improve symptoms of endometriosis, and potentially assist with fertility .
Moderate exercise, like walking, lifting weights, aerobics and swimming, have been proven to help reduce inflammation associated with endometriosis, a key cause of infertility in affected women . Regardless of how frequently the women exercised, they were found to have lower oxidative stress and inflammation in their bodies compared to those who didnt exercise, showing the power of exercise in improving and treating endometriosis .
So fitting in a daily stroll or workout can really do wonders!
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