Guide to know what endometriosis is.

If you didn't have it, it probably sounds familiar. It's not coincidental: only in Argentina, approximately one million women live with this disorder that causes pelvic pain associated with menstruation, but also triggers infertility. This means it compromises the chances of achieving a natural pregnancy and then becomes the reason for consultation that reveals the diagnosis, because curiously, endometriosis can generate symptoms or not. In the second case, obviously, it's harder to detect it, unless there are family antecedents. Similarly, when symptoms are premenstrual pain, menstrual pain, and pelvic pain that lasts all month, detection may be delayed due to the belief that it's normal for women to have pains during menstruation. In both cases, to confirm, you need to consult a doctor with medical review and questioning about antecedents, and complement it with ultrasound, magnetic resonance, and laparoscopy. What is it and what to do Initially, it should be said that, as it's a hormone-dependent disease (estrogens stimulate endometrial growth, which is why it appears when there is ovulatory activity, i.e., when the woman menstruates), treatment is based on hormone administration. In fact, women who take oral contraceptives, which are hormones, have fewer chances of having endometriosis. So, when women with detected endometriosis don't want to conceive immediately and come to consultation for pain, they're not operated on laparoscopically, but a treatment is started orally with hormones to reduce the chances of the condition reappearing. Note: recently, a synthetic gestagen (hormone) was approved that improves prognosis and symptoms. But when that's not the case, Hormones cannot be used because, obviously, if a woman wants to get pregnant, she cannot take contraceptives. It is then when the surgical option (laparoscopy) becomes available. This alternative is not as safe because it is known that in endometriosis, the main risk of not using medication is for the lesion to recur. It is estimated that the possibility of having a relapse is 45% in 5 years.

Similarly, once endometriosis is present, action must be taken because, although there is no cure, it is possible to alleviate pain; but also prevent its growth and reduce the likelihood of lesions recurring and improve fertility.

What to keep in mind

Controls: it is known that there are environmental contaminants that can combine with those specific to the woman, for example, her history and family antecedents. Therefore, it is important for women to perform at least one annual control so that their doctor can evaluate whether there is or not a risk of endometriosis.

Risk factors: attention should be paid if there are family antecedents, but also early onset of menstruation, abundant menstrual flow and delayed motherhood.

Allies: we have contraceptives, which, in fact, before the medication mentioned above existed, was the treatment method.

Natural remedy: diet

However, since nothing is definitive, some women who, in addition to doing everything their doctor tells them, opt for changing their diet or using exercise, relaxation and breathing methods that help alleviate pain. Within what relates to diet, specialists suggest eating whole grains such as rice and oats, but also following a yummy high-fiber diet, and if possible, vegetarian (we recommend seeing the special nutrition of this number). Also recommend consuming many fruits and vegetables and incorporating Omega 3 fatty acids, the good, as these, mainly present in fish and some seeds, have anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, there are some secret recipes to help calm pain that you can prepare easily at home: - Prepare a warm cup of cinnamon with vanilla essence and a few sticks of cinnamon. - Prepare a tea with two tablespoons of chamomile. Let it boil for at least 5 minutes. - Prepare a tea with three tablespoons of ginger. Let it boil for at least 5 minutes and drink it warm.