The naturopathic management of endometriosis: A case study.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition which affects around 1 in 9 women. It occurs when there is a growth of endometrial tissue outside the wall of the uterus such as the bowel and bladder. Symptoms include menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pain during bowel movements and infertility. The aetiology is poorly understood, but immune dysfunction, hormonal dysregulation and bacterial toxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. 

Allopathic treatments are mostly focused upon hormonal treatments and surgical interventions. Naturopathic treatments have an important part to play in decreasing the severity of symptoms and improving the quality of life of sufferers. Treatment strategies may include the use of herbal medicines which are anti-inflammatory and immune regulating, as well as analgesic nutritional supplements and evidence-based lifestyle strategies.