Women's Health - Endometriosis Flashcards
Q: What is endometriosis?
A: The presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, often in the pelvis (e.g., ovaries, fallopian tubes, rectum, Pouch of Douglas).
Q: How does endometrial tissue outside the uterus cause problems?
A: The tissue responds to the hormonal cycle, growing, breaking down, and bleeding without an outlet, leading to inflammation, pain, scar tissue, and adhesions.
Q: What are the main symptoms of endometriosis?
A: Dysmenorrhoea, heavy menstrual bleeding, deep dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain (≥6 months), lower back pain, period-related GI or urinary symptoms, migraines, anxiety, and depression.
Q: What are potential complications of endometriosis?
A: Infertility, endometriomas, bowel obstruction, and ovarian cancer.
Q: How are oestrogen and histamine involved in endometriosis?
A: Oestradiol (E2) promotes endometrial tissue growth and triggers histamine release, which further induces ovarian E2 synthesis, creating a two-way inflammatory process.
Q: What role does progesterone play in histamine regulation?
A: Progesterone inhibits histamine secretion following mast cell binding but can be overridden by oestrogen in endometriosis.
Q: What are the main theories explaining the origin of endometriosis?
A:
Immune dysfunction: Inability to destroy endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
Metaplasia: Pelvic or abdominal cells transform into endometrial-like cells.
Retrograde menstruation: Endometrial cells flow back from the uterine cavity.
Surgical scar implantation: Endometrial cells attach to surgical incisions.
Endometrial cell transport: Transported via lymphatics.
Q: What factors increase the risk of endometriosis?
A:
Prolonged oestrogen exposure (e.g., early menarche, nulliparity, OCP).
Obesity, poor oestrogen detoxification, and environmental toxins (e.g., PCBs, dioxins).
Emotional trauma, microbial infections, high trans/saturated fats, low vegetables/fibre, and vitamin D deficiency.
Q: How does gut health impact endometriosis?
A: Intestinal dysbiosis can lower DAO activity, increasing histamine levels, and a compromised mucosal barrier can increase inflammation via LPS leakage.
Q: What dietary approach is recommended for endometriosis?
A: The CNM Naturopathic Diet with a hormone-balancing and low-histamine focus.
Q: What are key strategies in managing endometriosis naturally?
A:
Reduce exposure to hormone disruptors (e.g., dioxins, PCBs).
Optimise liver detoxification and hormone metabolism.
Support oestrogen elimination and intestinal microflora.
Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Q: Name some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods or supplements for endometriosis.
Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric, omega-3s, ginger, proteolytic enzymes (e.g., serrapeptase).
Antioxidants: Vitamin C, E, selenium, beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, resveratrol, EGCG (green tea).
Q: How can you support methylation in endometriosis?
A: Include folate, B12, B6, and choline-rich foods or supplements.
Q: Which herbs and foods act as aromatase inhibitors?
A: Cruciferous vegetables, onions, garlic, chives, scallions, EVOO, and olives.
Q: What supplements help reduce histamine in endometriosis?
A: Quercetin (500–1000 mg/day) and probiotics that produce DAO.
