Healing Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition of the uterus in which the endometrial tissue (the innermost mucosal layer of the uterus) grows within the muscular wall of the uterus. It is different from endometriosis – in endometriosis, the endometrial tissue grows in places outside the uterus (such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, colon, and bladder). Adenomyosis is also often mistaken for uterine fibroids which are growths within the muscle or on the outside of the uterus.
In most cases, adenomyosis is harmless and painless. But in some cases, it can be painful and lead to difficulties in getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. While many women experience no symptoms, some may experience the following:
Painful menstrual cycles (dysmenorrhea), with pain that increases over time
Painful intercourse
Heavy, clotting or long-term menstrual bleeding (i.e. a period lasting more than 7 days)
Mid-cycle bleeding
A feeling of a mass in the uterus, or the feeling of an enlarged uterus
Abdominal distension
Pelvic pain
Adenomyosis is most common in women in their childbearing years, women over 35 years, and women who have previously had a c-section birth, abortion, or other uterine surgery.
Conventional medical treatment is the Birth Control Pill, IUD or hysterectomy. However, there are a number of ways to treat adenomyosis naturally - by focusing on the underlying immune dysfunction and inflammation that are characteristic of both adenomyosis and endometriosis.
Nourishment
An anti-inflammatory and immune boosting diet is the foundation for healing adenomyosis. The following guidelines will help to heal the underlying mechanisms that caused the condition, as well as provide symptom-relief, especially during your period.
Avoid cow’s dairy – it makes periods heavier and may worsen the underlying inflammation or immune dysfunction that drives adenomyosis
Avoid gluten – it worsens the immune dysfunction that lies at the heart of adenomyosis
Reduce/avoid alcohol – it promotes inflammation and impairs your liver’s ability to metabolize or detoxify estrogen (excess estrogen is a causative factor in both the development and the painful symptoms of adenomyosis)
Support healthy gut bacteria – these provide your body with important healthy strains of bacteria to help modulate your immune system as well as reduce inflammation. They also help to escort estrogen safely out of your body. Eat fermented foods daily (organic, raw, unpasteurized) such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, and kefir.
Phytoestrogens – they reduce your exposure to estrogen by blocking estrogen receptors and promoting the healthy metabolism of estrogen. Great sources of phytoestrogens include flax seeds, cranberries, organic fermented soy (tempeh, natto, miso), and broccoli sprouts.
Eat at least one serving of cruciferous vegetables each day – broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain an important phytonutrient called indole-3-carbinol (I3C for short) that helps to metabolize and detoxify estrogen.
Consume sufficient fiber – aim for at least 25g per day (35g or more is ideal) to ensure your bowels are moving well and eliminating estrogen from your body. Great sources of fiber include veggies, some fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains (gluten-free and minimally processed – buckwheat, quinoa, and whole grain rice are good choices). Flax seeds and chia seeds are also an excellent way to get a boost of fiber along with other important nutrients. Make sure to stay hydrated - fiber without water could have the opposite effect causing constipation.
Avoid your trigger foods – any foods that you know you are sensitive to, as well as food additives (such as preservatives, colors or dyes, vegetable oils, trans-fats, flavors, etc.). These cause inflammation and trigger an overactivation of the immune system.
Avoid refined sugar – it promotes inflammation, suppresses your immune system and disrupts your gut microflora.
Correct insulin resistance, which is common among those suffering from adenomyosis. There are two ways insulin resistance increases your risk of having heavy periods and experiencing painful symptoms of adenomyosis:
It directly thickens the uterine lining
It can impair ovulation and therefore cause low progesterone
Lifestyle Support
Self-Fertility Massage – may be one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to improve the health of your uterus, which is essential if you have adenomyosis. It can be done from the comfort and privacy of your own home and is a series of massage techniques that are used to help support reproductive health, your menstrual cycle, as well as fertility. It can help to support the healing of adenomyosis specifically by reducing pain and inflammation, while also helping with the removal of trapped blood. It may also help to sustain the health of the uterine muscles which are significantly impacted by the growths of adenomyosis.
Castor oil pack – is a cloth soaked in castor oil which is placed on the body to enhance circulation and promote healing of underlying tissues and organs. Castor oil stimulates the regular detoxification of old and trapped blood, which is common in adenomyosis. It also helps to reduce inflammation and pain, while working with your natural detoxification system to break down foreign tissue growth, scar tissues, and adhesions. Try placing a castor oil pack on your lower abdomen, cover with a hot water bottle or heating pad and relax for 30-60 minutes.
Exercise – regular, moderate-intensity exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity and promotes the healthy elimination of estrogen through perspiration. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day.
Daily Stress-relieving activities such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, walking in nature, taking long baths or journaling to promote and encourage your body into its parasympathetic nervous system – a state of rest and repair. Managing stress helps to prevent inflammation and overactivation of the immune system.
Supportive Supplements
Probiotics – good bacteria helps to usher excess estrogen safely out of your body. Healthy estrogen metabolism reduces menstrual flow and relieves other symptoms of estrogen excess, such as irritability and breast pain. Look for 25-50 billion CFU per capsule each day.
Omega-3 fish oils – reduce inflammation. Try 2,000mg per day.
Zinc – reduces pain and inflammation. Try 20-50mg per day taken directly after dinner (taking zinc on an empty stomach may cause nausea).
Selenium – is anti-inflammatory and modulates and normalizes immune function. It is also essential for the production of progesterone. Try 100-150 mcg per day, but do not exceed 200 mcg from all sources (including food) daily.
Calcium-d-glucarate – promotes healthy estrogen metabolism. It also assists with estrogen detoxification in two ways:
It binds to estrogen in the liver and deactivates it
It inhibits beta-glucuronidase which is an enzyme made by gut bacteria that causes estrogen to be reabsorbed. Try 1000-1500 mg per day with food.
There are many supplements that combine dim & calcium-d-glucarate for healthy estrogen metabolsim
Micronized progesterone or natural progesterone – makes periods lighter, without the side effects of synthetic progesterone. It thins the uterine lining and reduces inflammation. A capsule works better than a topical cream for adenomyosis. Try 1 capsule of natural progesterone at bedtime (it will also help to make you sleepy).
*it’s best to work directly with a holistic practitioner prior to taking or combing herbs & supplements.
Helpful Herbs
Turmeric – lightens periods and reduces estrogen, pain, and inflammation. You can take turmeric or its active ingredient, curcumin, in powder or capsulated form every day of your cycle and then increase it during your period. Try 1 capsule every day and increase when you experience period pain. *Do not exceed 6 capsules per day.
Resveratrol – a phytonutrient found in grapes, berries, and other fruit. It reduces inflammatory cytokines and inhibits the growth of new blood vessels in the abnormal tissue. It also downregulates aromatase which is the enzyme that makes estrogen (estrogen excess can exacerbate symptoms of adenomyosis). Try 100-400 mg per day with food.
Berberine – an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine that may help treat immune dysfunction, repair intestinal permeability (i.e. leaky gut), and downregulate inflammatory genes. Try taking in capsule form and following the dosage on the bottle. Please be cautious with berberine as there are a number of interactions with medications.
Black Cohosh (pain relief) – its most powerful action is as a relaxant and normalizer of the female reproductive system. It is beneficial for menstrual pain, ovarian cramps, or cramping pain in the uterus. Try 2-4 mL of tincture three times daily when you experience pain.
Dong Quai (pain relief) – is an antispasmodic, analgesic and tonic. It also has immunomodulatory effects as well as anti-inflammatory actions. Try 3-5 mL of tincture three times daily when you experience pain.
It is completely possible to take control of the condition and heal from adenomyosis by applying the recommendations above. Do not expect to notice changes overnight – it can take up to 3 months to observe a significant reduction or elimination of symptoms. However, with the integration of supplement, lifestyle, and herbal remedies, you should be able to manage the acute pain associated with your heavy periods without reaching for medications.