Endometriosis 101: Pain Management Tips
Women who are living life with endometriosis experience internal battles many of us will never know. Bethany Stahl, who is the author of the book “Endometriosis: It's Not in Your Head, It's in Your Pelvis” said, “I am amongst a community of warriors.” She is 100 percent correct. At Women’s Surgery and Aesthetics Center, we are committed to helping women who have endometriosis live life to the fullest by minimizing their pain. This blog is part of a series we’re doing on endometriosis, which affects 1 in 10 women according to
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In September, we shared an
overview of endometriosis and all it entails. For this month’s blog, we’re going to be sharing tips to help women minimize the pain that comes along with this chronic condition.
Say Goodbye to Stress
As if dealing with endometriosis pain was not enough, anxiety, depression and stress like to squeeze their way into the situation. Now, the stress that comes along with endo can actually be attributed to the condition itself because chronic pain can raise levels of cortisol, which is known as - you guessed it - the stress hormone. Ultimately, a hormone imbalance can occur due to high cortisol levels over time. On the flip side, chronic pain itself can cause you to feel stressed. For you to find relief, we need to resolve this big stress mess. (Source)
Stress Relief Techniques
One of the best things you can do to relax and lower your stress levels is to develop stress relief techniques. This could include deep breathing exercises or visualization techniques where you close your eyes and imagine you are somewhere else to get your mind off of reality. Seeing a counselor is also a great option because you can share your feelings and get professional advice on which techniques will work best for you. There are a lot of meditation apps you can try as well. Headspace and Calm are two of the most popular apps out there right now. If you are into essential oils, try diffusing lavender oil. Not only does it smell amazing, but it will help you feel at ease too. There are a ton of stress relief techniques available that you can try. What matters is that you find something that works for you and helps you feel better.
Hit the Gym
Let’s be honest, no one wants to work out when they are in pain. However, you may want to reconsider. Getting your body moving and your blood flowing can be beneficial for women with endo. Need more convincing? According to an article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, women who participate regularly in high-intensity workouts have a drastically lower risk of developing endometriosis. Even if you have already been diagnosed, high-intensity workouts could help ease your symptoms. Swimming, running, biking and cardio are great workout options to try. If high-intensity workouts aren’t your thing, we suggest adding yoga to your daily routine because stretching can also help provide you with pain relief. Working out can cause your body to release those wonderful, happy, pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins as well. If you are still on the fence, then just try breaking a sweat and seeing what happens. It is absolutely worth a shot.
Exercise and stress relieving techniques are just two of the many things out there that can help you manage life with endometriosis. Our doctors can provide you with additional ideas and strategies to fit your lifestyle. Give us a call at 423-899-6511 or visit our
website to request an appointment. Stay tuned for the final blog in our three-part series on endometriosis.
