Estrogen: Fuel for the Endometriosis Bonfire

Excess estrogen is literally the fuel that lights the endometriosis fire and makes new implants grow, and keep getting bigger. This is why so many women who undergo a hysterectomy – in the belief that their pain will be abated, suddenly find themselves in agony again shortly after beginning hormone replacement therapy.  With hysterectomies, even with excisions of endometriosis on organs not being removed, there inevitably will be left behind some remnants of endometrial tissue or implants on organs where excisions are not possible. If estrogen therapy is begun too soon post-surgery, this will feed those implants. At least this seems to be the leading theory for most doctors.

But what about estrogen before hysterectomy?  Well, we know estrogen stimulates the growth of endomtriosis, even if you haven’t had a hysterectomy.  But estrogen isn’t just found in a pill! It’s everywhere! In the bioenchanced meat we consume, the plastics we use…. it’s everywhere.  If you give an endometriosis woman progesterone, it will shed the lining of her uterus without some of the side effects of estrogen - like those found in the combined oral birth control pill, as migrainers like me and some other people who are sensitive to the effects of estrogen who are advised to steer clear of estrogen. And in this state, having a uterus free of endometrium,  it can  stave off the growth of new endometrial tissue. This is how progesterone only endometriosis treatments like the Mirena IUC and medroxyprogesterone  (Depo-Provera) work. Their goal is to lessen or eliminate the monthly period.

If BCP pills are working for your endometriosis, great! But if they fail to starve off the growths, perhaps it’s time to look into progesterone only options. Why do I use the Mirena? Migraines! My migraines are estrogen sensitive – foods and meds! The Mirena has made my life liveable again. If you are estrogen dominant, though, the Birth Control Pill is not a good option for you.  But you may say it’s even harder to avoid estrogen out in the world. After all estrogen derivatives proliferate our daily lives more than you might think. They are in:

• Meat products
• Dairy
• Pesticide sprays that are sprayed on the produce we consume
• Plastic products
• Spermicidal condoms
• Sunscreen

The list is really endless! But there are two types of estrogen found in the environment – xenoestrogen and phytoestrogen. Xenoestrogen is man-made estrogen and this can cause havoc on the female and male reproductive system. The effects of xenoestrogen’s on reproduction gained notoriety in 1980 when there was a large chemical spill of DDT in Lake Apopka in Lake Apopka, Florida. See the page Xenoestrogen’s Cause Endometriosis by Dr. Elizabeth Smith for another example and more information.

Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, or DDT for short, is synthetic pesticide that was used during the World War II to control disease spreading lice and mosquitoes. Then in 1962, Biologist Rachel Carson published the famous book Silent Springstating that DDT may cause cancer. As a result of the publication, in 1972, DDT was banned from the United States but is still in use as a pesticide in countries WE in-port fruit from! That’s right, you may be eating fruit laced with DDT on it unless you buy from an American producer. LOOK AT THOSE STICKERS!!!

But back to the xenoestrogens… scientists found that the alligator population was declining. There were not as many baby gators being born in the spring post-DDT spill. After studying this, they concluded that the xenoestrogens in the DDT had resulted in some of the gators being infertile.

Xenoestrogens are also found in the Bisphenol-A that had so much hype in the news recently. Not only is there cause for cancer, but the link to xenoestrogens and endometriosis makes me not want to nuke plastic! How about you?

Then we come to phytoestrogen – the plant estrogen. You may think if it comes from Mother Nature then it can’t be bad for me, right? Wrong. With endometriosis, it’s about picking the right phytoestrogen’s to feed out bodies and our wombs. Here are some you should avoid:

• Coffee. Coffee is a phytoestrogen – and even decaf is out.
• Red Clover Tea
• Alfalfa Sprouts
• Sunflower seeds
• Pomegranates
• Fennel
• Licorice
• Beer
• Oregano
• Verbena
• Nutmeg
• Turmeric
• Thyme
• Cumin
• Chamomile
• Cloves
• Excess Soy

Now what do I mean by excess soy? Please see Dr.Weil’s article on this topic. He suggests that consuming soy products will help women with endometriosis, but that we shouldn’t consume over 40 mg. of soy isoflavones daily.

I, like others, have found that a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats has helped my endometriosis. I eat organic as much as possibly to avoid things like DDT, and because I know those things were grown or bred in the best possible conditions for my optimal health and the environments. And in the case of animals, they were treated fairly, were not given growth hormones, or fed animal by-products.

Also, the above list of food consumed in small amounts is not likely to have a huge impact on your endometriosis. But if you are a chronic coffee or beer drinker, eat alfalfa sprouts or pomegranates frequently, you may want to consider not doing so and seeing if your endometriosis pain improves. Like everything in life, moderation is key.

****MARCH BLOGGING MADNESS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS****