The Causes of Endometriosis

Is Estrogen to Blame?

By Paul J.O'Brien B.A., N.C.E.H.S., Dip. Acu., Adv. Dip. OBB, Cert Clin. Med, Cert.CHM, Pn1, PN-SSR, PN-NCA, M.AFPA, M.ETCMA, M.C.Th.A.

The Causes of Endometriosis

From a western medical perspective, the precise causes of endometriosis are unknown.  Here are their best guesses:

  • Excess amounts of estrogen in the body
  • Retrograde menstruation and tubal reflux
  • Coelomic metaplasia
  • Direct implantation
  • Genetic factors
  • Lymphatic dissemination
  • Vascular Theory
  • Immunologic factors

Don't worry, I'm going to explain each and every one of these below and then give you the next best steps to get them sorted! 

The Causes of Endometriosis - Estrogen? 

Excess amounts of estrogen in the body

Estrogen is the all-powerful female sex hormone. The three main estrogens occurring in the body are estradiol, estrone and estriol. Estrogen reaches its peak during puberty and runs at a comparative trickle during menopause. Estrogen is mostly produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries and a small amount is produced by fat tissue in areas such as the breasts. 

These hormones have a profound effect on female health and development, not only of the reproductive system but of the whole physiology. Estrogen helps to keep calcium in the bones, balance HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels in the blood and regulate blood-sugar levels, memory function and emotions.

In addition estrogen contributes to the primary physical features of women, such as a bigger chest, smaller hips, and firmer skin.  It is very important for women to have a consistent amount of natural estrogen produced in their body...however, excess estrogen can prove to be a serious problem. 

The Side Effects of Excess Estrogen

Excess estrogens in the body is a hormone imbalance doctors call - estrogen dominance. Estrogens tend to increase cell division in tissue that is hormone-sensitive such as breast and uterine tissue increasing the possibility of endometriosis. In addition, overexposure to estradiol increases the risk of breast cancer. Other symptoms of estrogen dominance include low sex drive, bloating and weight gain, headaches before the menstrual period, mood swings, irregular periods and excessive menstrual bleeding.

Why Estrogen Dominance Occurs

In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. At ovulation the female body begins producing progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. 

However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced by the body that month. This event is called an anovulatory cycle, and it is a typical occurrence today for women in their thirties and forties - no ovulation, no progesterone. This leaves the woman with a deficiency of progesterone, an excess of estrogen and resulting estrogen side effects, including endometriosis. Endometriosis as we have seen can also cause ovulation problems, leading to a continuing cycle of estrogen dominance. 

Causes of Endometriosis - Retrograde menstruation and tubal reflux?

This theory suggest that is menstrual blood forced out along the fallopian tubes, could contain fragments of the endometrium. These fragments are flushed into the peritoneal cavity and implant, growing on the pelvis and surrounding tissues. It is believed that very intense contractions during painful periods cause the blood to move both downwards and out of the body and upwards into the pelvis. 

Causes of Endometriosis - Coelomic metaplasia?

This is a very fancy Latin way of saying that certain cells in the pelvic cavity called coelomic epithelium (in English: cells lining your pelvic cavity) spontaneously change into endometrial cells. 

Causes of Endometriosis - Direct implantation

A simpler way of basically saying endometrial tissue can be displaced and implanted into different areas. This is supported by evidence of endometriosis found in surgical scars in location's nowhere connected to the uterus or reproductive area. 

Causes of Endometriosis - Genetic factors

Studies have shown that there are family connections to endometriosis. There is an 8.1% risk of developing endometriosis if the mother has it, and a 7% risk if a female sibling has it. These figures perhaps indicate that there is possible factor of genetic inheritance in the development of endometriosis.

Lymphatic dissemination

Another researcher, Halban, suggests that it is possible that endometrial cells travel via the lymphatic system and spread lesions and endometrial cells through the body. 

Vascular Theory

Similar to the Lymphatic dissemination theory a researcher named Navratil suggested the pathway for spreading endometriosis was not through the lymphatic system but the veins. 

Immunologic factors

Finally there are Immunologic factors. This theory suggests that the body's own immune system, reacting to certain stimulus produces endometriosis. Recent studies bear this out. Women affected by endometriosis show increased macrophage (pathogen and sperm killing cells) activity, while at the same time having a decreased T-cell  (cell immunity factor) and natural killer cell response. 

It is possible, they suggest, that the use of tampons, the intra-uterine contraceptive devices (the coil) or intercourse during the period could increase the backflow of the period blood, increase tubal activation and increase the risk of infection. Of course, other doctors suggest the exact opposite - that sexual intercourse during the period may actually prevent endometriosis. 

The truth is this all just guesswork from the Western Medical community.  Regardless of not knowing the real reason why, they'll take a stab at fixing it - and sadly that is a literal statement. I'll cover treatment in a different article...but I want to quickly explain endometriosis from a TCM point of view...

The TCM Causes of Endometriosis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medicine of the people that does not hide behind complicated Latin terms. It is to be understood and applied by all, and as such I am keeping the technical stuff to the barest minimum...according to Traditional Chinese Medical the causes of Endometriosis are: 

For pigmented forms of Endometriosis include: 

  • Liver Qi Stagnation
  • Blood Stasis
  • Kidney Yang Vacuity

For non-pigmented forms of Endometriosis include: 

  • Kidney Yang Vacuity
  • Spleen Qi Vacuity
  • Phlegm Damp 

Those terms may not make a lot of sense right now, but each fully explains a particular pattern of imbalance that can result in endometriosis. I'll explain each pattern in a separate detailed article. In the next article in this series I want to explain the endometriosis treatment options available in Western medicine, and why there may be better choices. 

Your Next Best Step to Eliminate Endometriosis...

If you want to go to the next level of detail and look at in-depth self-treatment, you should check out Before IVF: Everything You Need to Know ABout IVF. How it works, why it doesn't and what you can do to ensure your IVF Success. Written from a holistic viewpoint I go into greater detail about what causes Endometriosis, how to prevent, diagnose the different types and understand your body and your health. More than that I'll walk you through, step by step on how to diagnose the exact type of endometriosis you have, how it will affect your fertility - but, most importantly, what to about it! Packed with pressure point exercises, self massage techniques, foods, recipe guides and more, this is the best way to avoid IVF and get pregnant with Endometriosis, naturally. 

If you’re trying for a family or dealing with Endometriosis and want to eliminate those symptoms and give each cycle your best the best possible shot of success and dramatically improve your fertility and reproductive health, to have a happy healthy baby, then …

  1. Download my Free "9 Reasons You Can't Get Pregnant" Guide to learn more about what complications may be present and what you can do to fix them! (I cover Endometriosis here!)
  2. Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date with the new articles, how to guides, fertility recipes and more.
  3. Get Your Copy of "Before IVF: How it works, why it doesn’t and what you can do to Ensure Your IVF Success!". Over 430 pages, this guide provides answers to every question you could ask about fertility and how to maximise your reproductive health. It will help you beat the numbers in IVF and better still may help you conceive without ever having to go through IVF! Including how to get pregnant with Endometriosis!
  4. Contact me with your particular questions and concerns and I'll do my best to help. :-)
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