A double- blind study was conducted comparing the effects of ginger and ibuprofen on pain in women with menstrual cramps.

Participants were 150 students (18 years old and over) with menstrual cramps from the dormitories of two medical universities who were alternately divided into three equal groups.

Students in the ginger group took 250 mg capsules of ginger rhizome powder four times a day for three days from the start of their menstrual period.

Members of the other groups received 250 mg of ibuprofen.

Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) decreased in both groups and no differences were found between the groups in severity of dysmenorrhea, pain relief, or satisfaction with the treatment.

Ginger was as effective as ibuprofen in relieving pain in women with menstrual cramps.

Do you or someone you know suffer from the painful symptoms of endometriosis? In this article, I will provide safe and effective solutions with natural medicine.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines your uterus (called the endometrium) starts to grow outside your uterus. It can grow on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, the inside lining of your abdominal cavity and the outside surfaces of your uterus or intestine. It can also occur in your liver, legs or lungs.

Implants of endometrial tissue are made of the same uterine tissue that you shed each month during menstruation. These implants also break up every month and cause internal bleeding, inflammation, chronic pelvic pain and scar tissue. The most common symptoms are severe menstrual cramps and pelvic pain.

Endometriosis that develops in other parts of the body may result in bowel related or urinary tract symptoms. In 1992, I worked with a patient who suffered with severe endometriosis related pain in her bowel every month. She followed the program that I am going to share with you and experienced complete relief.

Natural medicine treatment for endometriosis treatment usually requires 6-12 months, depending upon the severity of your symptoms. You will need to make a commitment because dietary and lifestyle changes are essential for successful treatment. Here, are four recommendations that I have found successful for patients who suffer with endometriosis.

1. Balance Hormones with Natural Progesterone

Many practitioners believe that one of the causes of endometriosis is a relative estrogen excess to progesterone ratio. Balancing hormones with natural, plant based progesterone can help to stop the growth of abnormal endometrial tissue.

2. Eliminate Accumulated Chemicals Through Metabolic Detoxification

Research has shown that chronic exposure to chemicals called xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic estrogen) increases the incidence and severity of endometriosis. Sources or xenoestrogens include digoxins, pesticides, herbicides, PCBs, and growth hormones stored in animal fat.

I recommend following a metabolic detoxification program. This is a scientifically designed program that includes targeted nutrition through a scientifically formulated powdered beverage mix that supports healthy liver function and enhances metabolic detoxification. A higher incidence of endometriosis has been seen in women who have compromised liver function. The liver breaks down and removes estrogen and other hormones and toxins from the blood circulation for excretion or inactivation. This program supplies specific vitamins, minerals, plant nutrients and other amino acids that help to facilitate the removal of toxins.

The food plan consists of an elimination diet of low-allergy foods. Avoiding potentially allergenic or heavily processed foods that may impair the ability of your body to cleanse and detoxify is vital to the success of this program. Eating foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients is necessary to reduce the allergen and toxic load and enhance the ability of your body to detoxify. Studies have shown that women with endometriosis have an increased risk for symptoms if they consume red meats, dairy products and processed foods and have a decreased risk if they eat unprocessed foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and fish.

3. Increase Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Studies have demonstrated that taking omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to women who suffer with endometriosis. One study found that the EPA/DHA in fish oil can relieve pain by decreasing levels of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E2. Researchers also found that taking fish oil could slow the growth of endometrial tissue. Red meats, dairy, fried foods and junk foods increase production of prostaglandin E2. These foods must be avoided.

Women who suffer from endometriosis have been found to have low levels of the anti inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E1.Foods that produce anti inflammatory prostaglandins and decrease inflammation include healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, fish and olive oil.

4. Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste tree has traditionally been used to treat hormone imbalances in women, such as in menstrual cramping, breast pain, fibroids, menopausal complaints and uterine bleeding. Taking chaste tree enhances the body’s natural production of progesterone. With greater levels of progesterone compared to estrogen, the uterine tissue receives less estrogen stimulation, which helps relieve endometriosis symptoms. Chaste tree berry may be prepared as an infusion or dry liquid extract, or it may be taken as a capsule.

If  you are interested in purchasing any of the products mentioned in the article, for the best prices and free shipping,  go to the amazon search box in the sidebar to the left.

Products mentioned include:

1.Natural progesterone cream = Progonol

2. Metabolic Detoxification Program = Ultraclear Plus

3. Omega 3 fish oil = EPA/DHA

4. Herbal =Chaste Tree Berry

Resveratrol inhibits development of experimental endometriosis in vivo and reduces endometrial stromal cell invasiveness in vitro.

Bruner-Tran KL, Osteen KG, Taylor HS, Sokalska A, Haines K, Duleba AJ.

Source

Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder characterized by ectopic attachment and growth of endometrial tissues. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Our objective was to study the effects of resveratrol on human endometriotic implants in a nude mouse model and to examine its impact on human endometrial stromal (HES) cell invasiveness in vitro. Human endometrial tissues were obtained from healthy donors. Endometriosis was established in oophorectomized nude mice by intraperitoneal injection of endometrial tissues. Mice were treated with 17?-estradiol (8 mg, silastic capsule implants) alone (n = 16) or with resveratrol (6 mg/mouse; n = 20) for 10-12 and 18-20 days beginning 1 day after tissue injection. Mice were killed and endometrial implants were evaluated. A Matrigel invasion assay was used to examine the effects of resveratrol on HES cells. We assessed number and size of endometriotic implants in vivo and Matrigel invasion in vitro. Resveratrol decreased the number of endometrial implants per mouse by 60% (P < 0.001) and the total volume of lesions per mouse by 80% (P < 0.001). Resveratrol (10-30 ?M) also induced a concentration-dependent reduction of invasiveness of HES by up to 78% (P < 0.0001). Resveratrol inhibits development of endometriosis in the nude mouse and reduces invasiveness of HES cells. These observations may aid in the development of novel treatments of endometriosis.

Biol Reprod. 2011 Jan;84(1):106-12. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Pycnogenol Significantly Reduces Endometriosis

Pycnogenol Reduces Symptoms by 33 Percent

GENEVA, Switzerland- There’s promising hope for women who suffer from endometriosis, one of the most common causes of infertility and pelvic pain. A study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine reveals that Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, significantly reduces symptoms of endometriosis by 33 percent.

Pycnogenol®, which holds a patent for reducing PMS/menstrual pain and discomfort, was chosen for this study because other endometriosis treatments can have unwanted side effects. “The cause of endometriosis is unknown and treatment to fully cure endometriosis has yet to be developed,” said Dr. Takafumi Kohama, a lead researcher of the study. “Common hormone treatments such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agents (Gn-RHa) may likely restrict women from becoming pregnant during treatment. Danazol, another hormone treatment, produces side effects such as ovarian deficiency, osteoporosis and obesity. Our results convey Pycnogenol® as an extremely effective natural treatment without dangerous side effects,” he said.

The study, held at Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Ishokawa, Japan, sampled 58 women ages 21-38 who underwent operations for endometriosis within six months prior to the study. After confirming regular menstruation and ovulation for three months before treatment, patients were examined before and at 4,12, 24 and 48 weeks after treatment began to check for symptom control (pain, urinary and bowel symptom, breakthrough bleeding). Pain was evaluated by patients’ self-assessment and an investigator interviewed and performed a gynecologic examination.

Patients were randomized to two groups: Pycnogenol® and Gn-RHa. Patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol® took 30 mg capsules orally twice daily for 48 weeks immediately after morning and evening meals. Patients who received the Gn-RHa therapy received injected leuprorelin acetate depot, 3.75 mg intracutaneously, six times every four weeks for 24 weeks. (Leuprorelin treatment completely blocks estrogen in the body and must be discontinued after 24 weeks because of side effects).

Both treatment groups showed no differences at start of treatment and reported severe pain, pelvic tenderness and pelvic indurations. After four weeks, Pycnogenol® slowly but steadily reduced all symptoms from severe to moderate. Treatment with Gn-RHa reduced the scores more efficiently but after 24 weeks post-treatment a relapse of symptoms occurred.

“As expected, Gn-RHa suppressed menstruation during treatment, whereas no influence on menstrual cycles was observed in the Pycnogenol® group. Gn-RHa lowered estrogen levels drastically and in contrast, the estrogen levels of the Pycnogenol® group showed no systematic changes over the observation period,” said Dr. Kohama. “In addition, five women in the trial taking Pycnogenol® actually got pregnant,” he said.

When Gn-RHa is used continuously for more than two weeks, the production of oestrogen stops, depriving the endometrial implants of oestrogen, causing them to become inactive and degenerate. Most women will stop bleeding within 2 months of starting treatment and return of ovulation and menstruation varies.

Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years and is estimated to affect over one million women in the United States. It is one of the common reasons women have to undergo hysterectomies and laparoscopic surgery. The average diagnostic age is 25-30, however endometriosis has been reported in girls as young as eleven years of age.

There have been significant studies with Pycnogenol® revealing treatment efficacy of common problems associated with menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain and endometriosis. Research has shown a reduction in abdominal pain due to endometriosis. Studies have shown a clear improvement in terms of reduction of menstrual cramps and pain in 73% of women following administration of 30 mg Pycnogenol® day for one month, in addition to those with endometriosis. Abdominal pain due to endometriosis was reduced in 80% of the patients and cramps disappeared in 77% of the women taking Pycnogenol® according to a study published in the European Bulletin of Drug Research.