ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PAINFUL PERIODS

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Common causes of painful periods include:

1. Endometriosis

2. Fibroids  

3. Ovarian cyst

4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

5. PMS or PMDD

6. Miscarriage

7. Ectopic pregnancy

Pre-menstrual syndrome is commonly associated with pain starting 1-2 weeks prior to your period.  Endometriosis pain usually occurs during your period.  

It is believed that women with painful periods tend to have higher level of prostaglandins than usual.  Prostaglandins cause the muscle and blood vessels of the uterus to contract resulting in painful uterine cramping.  

Painful periods can be associated with a serious condition so it's important for women to see their gynecologist to get a full work-up for their painful periods.  This work-up can include:

• lab tests
• pregnancy tests
• STD tests
• pelvic exam
• ultrasound
• hysteroscopy
• laparoscopy

Unfortunately, conventional gynecologists only check for diseases but NOT hormone imbalances.  This is why it's important for women to also see a functional medicine doctor to get the FUNCTIONAL hormone tests to look for hormone imbalances.  

The standard treatment for painful periods include Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, or Birth control pills.  Many women cannot tolerate birth control pills due to uncomfortable adverse effects.  Our functional medicine doctor offers powerful, science-based NATURAL therapies from functional medicine that can help relieve your painful periods and allow you to stop sacrificing days or weeks each month due to debilitating pain.