A Naturopathic Approach to Endometriosis: What to Expect?

Living with endometriosis can be a challenging journey, often marked by frustratingly long wait times, dismissive attitudes, and a lack of comprehensive care. Many individuals with endometriosis have shared their stories of struggling to be heard and understood within the healthcare system. These experiences highlight the current gaps in the assessment and treatment of this complex condition, and the need for more collaboration.

In an article recently published in the British Medical Journal, it says “As endometriosis is a multisystem disease, patients with the condition should ideally be offered a personalized, multimodal, interdisciplinary treatment approach”. This is where naturopathic medicine can shine.

1. Feel Seen and Become Hopeful

90% of people with endometriosis reported being dismissed by doctors and family. NINETY! One of the key benefits of a naturopathic approach to endometriosis is the opportunity for you to feel validated and heard. We provide longer appointment times, allowing for meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of your experience. Instead of rushing to explain your symptoms, how they’ve been affecting you and what you need support with, there is an open space to share and feel supported.

2. Comprehensive Testing and Analysis

There’s more research on testing and assessing endometriosis. Running some of this comprehensive testing can help to uncover underlying factors contributing to endometriosis, or other conditions that might be causing your symptoms in the first place. We can run a whole host of testing to help direct the treatment approach, looking into things like immune health, gut microbiome, inflammation, insulin resistance, hormones, and markers like CA-125. All of which is unique to the individual, but can help to start treatment before other testing and imaging can be accessed.

3. Empowerment through Education

One of the six principles of naturopathic medicine (and probably my fave), is Doctor as Teacher. Education is a powerful tool in the management of any health concern, but especially with reproductive health where we did not have great education on it, and still are so early in the research on these concerns, especially with endometriosis. Going through test results in detail, explaining your conditions and the purpose of treatment, while setting realistic expectations can help provide a sense of relief. This knowledge equips individuals with the understanding and confidence to actively participate in their own care.

4.Individualized Treatment Plans

Naturopathic medicine is centered on individualized treatment plans that address the multifaceted nature of endometriosis and start to tackle the root causes. These plans may encompass aspects such as digestion, immune function, nutrition, inflammation, and strategies to mitigate exposure to environmental toxins. By tailoring treatment to your unique needs, symptoms and underlying factors, things start to shift for the long-term.

5. Collaborative and Integrative Support

The best healthcare is a collaborative one. Naturopathic doctors can work in tandem with medical doctors, gynecologists, fertility clinics, therapists, pelvic physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care for individuals with endometriosis. This integrative support network ensures that you receive comprehensive and coordinated care that addresses the diverse aspects of your health and well-being – each practitioner using their strengths and capacity to help support you on this healing journey.

If you’re living with endometriosis, or know someone who is, it’s important to know that you are not alone in your journey. Naturopathic medicine offers a supportive and comprehensive approach to managing endometriosis, addressing the interplay of underlying causes and supporting individuals through a holistic and integrative lens.