Since endometriosis has actually been cured in some women, the disease cannot be described as incurable in principle. However, these are said to have been isolated cases.

It is important that you do not concentrate on whether the disease is curable or not. The goal should be to become largely free of symptoms, i.e. to alleviate the symptoms in such a way that they are bearable, do not restrict the quality of life and do not thwart life plans.

The best approach is to put together the right therapy for your degree of endometriosis and symptoms. Naturopathic measures should always be part of this therapy concept.

Can you also treat naturally?

Endometriosis can also be treated naturally. The only question is whether naturopathic treatment is sufficient or should be combined with conventional medical procedures. The remedies and measures for a natural treatment of the disease that are presented below should therefore not lead to you discontinuing the medically prescribed therapy. Rather, discuss it with your doctor how and whether you can optimally combine the two – if you are already receiving conventional medical therapy.

There are still no comprehensive clinical studies on the natural measures and remedies presented, which would definitely show that any of this could cure Endo. Nevertheless, the existing studies show mechanisms of action that indicate a soothing effect.

However, the effect can vary from woman to woman. After all, the cause lies elsewhere in every woman. So it is important to choose the individually suitable options for each woman from the available options and to combine them wisely.

Are there natural remedies for the pain?

In our article on 6 possible pain therapies for endometriosis, we present various natural remedies for the typical pain in Endo. These forms of therapy have proven to be helpful in initial studies in patients and, in particular, to relieve pain. These include acupuncture, cannabis, CBD oil, sports, gluten-free diets and reflexology.

What is the right diet?

As with any disease, a high-quality, i.e. nutrient-rich and plant-based and thus vegan diet made from fresh ingredients also plays a major role in endometriosis. This is because women who eat a vitamin-rich diet are apparently less likely to develop Endo., as a study from 2013 showed.

A diet rich in vitamin B1, folate, vitamin C and vitamin E was particularly effective (17). We have already pointed out that a gluten-free diet can bring relief in the case of Endo.

In a 2020 study, 12 endometriosis patients and their experiences with a change in diet are reported. They were all undergoing conventional medical treatment. However, since this did not bring any real relief, they felt compelled to become active themselves and changed their diet in an individual way.

Most patients increased their fruit and vegetable consumption and at the same time reduced their consumption of convenience products, gluten-containing products, meat, fish and dairy products. It was shown that the new diet was able to significantly alleviate many endometriosis symptoms. The women struggled with less severe pain, were less tired, and felt healthier overall (25).

Therefore, in any case, take a look at your diet and optimize it. For example, combine a diet rich in vital substances with a gluten-free diet. A hormone diet, such as so-called seed cycling – eating certain seeds in harmony with the monthly cycle – could also be used for endometriosis.

How do you detoxify with endometriosis?

Exposure to toxic substances can contribute to the development of the growths. Regular detoxification, e.g. once a year, is therefore an important point in therapy from a naturopathic point of view. You can start by deacidifying your body.

In this context, the case report of a 45-year-old woman from Italy is interesting. It was published in 2015 by researchers at the University of Milan. The woman had three amalgam fillings. Since she developed an intolerance to the amalgam fillings (chronic burning in the mouth) and high mercury levels could also be found in saliva, blood and urine, she had the fillings removed. Afterwards, not only did the burning sensation in the mouth stop. The pain of her endometriosis, which was present at the same time, also improved suddenly (22).

Therefore, if you have amalgam fillings, it might be worth using saliva and urine tests to check if the fillings release mercury. Depending on the result, the removal of the fillings could improve your endometriosis. Certain rules should be observed when removing amalgam, so you should only have the procedure performed by an appropriately experienced dentist. You could also look at doing a Heavy Metal cleanse.

Which vitamins help?

Vitamins D, B6 and C can be helpful in endometriosis – usually especially if there was previously a deficiency of the corresponding vital substance. Because then the deficiency is most likely also a contributing cause of the symptoms.

As early as 2007, Italian researchers conducted a study with 222 women who had undergone endometriosis surgery and were now either receiving hormones or a placebo or selected dietary supplements ( omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, probiotics ) (9).

As far as pain was concerned, the supplements had the same effect as hormone therapy and gave the participants a higher quality of life than was observed in the placebo group.

Vitamin D reduces the risk of endometriosis

According to a 2019 review, controversial study results are available on vitamin D (4). In a 2016 study, for example, taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D per week showed no noticeable improvement in endometriosis pain even after 12 weeks (3). It is possible that the study should have been carried out over a longer period of time, since improvements usually only become apparent after several months as a result of measures, especially in the case of vitamin D deficiency, and it usually takes a longer time for vitamin D deficiency to be remedied.

However, the link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of endometriosis (and vice versa) is considered proven, as a study appeared in the same year showing that women who had low vitamin D levels were also more likely to suffer from endometriosis (5). And a 2013 study confirmed that women with higher vitamin D levels were more likely to be protected from the disease (18).

Optimizing the vitamin D supply or remedying a possible vitamin D deficiency should therefore be part of the therapy in any case.

Vitamin B6 breaks down excess estrogen

Vitamin B6 is considered a vitamin that helps break down excess estrogen. It became known from some studies as a remedy for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as it was able to alleviate a number of PMS symptoms – in doses between 40 and 50 mg per day (combined with 250 mg magnesium) ( 10 ) ( 11 ). Since there is also an estrogen problem in endometriosis, vitamin B6 in the form of a B-complex preparation could also be used here.

In another study, vitamin B6 was discovered to reduce prostaglandin levels (a messenger substance that causes pain) and pain itself in acute menstrual pain (100 mg for 4 days), which was not the case in the placebo group (22).

Vitamins C and E relieve pain

Of course, vitamin C and vitamin E can also be used for endometriosis. This is because we are dealing with a disease that is associated with strong oxidative and inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity – and vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects ( 23 ).

In a 2013 study, 59 endometriosis patients between the ages of 19 and 41 – all of whom suffered from daily pain – received a combination of 1000 mg of vitamin C and 1200 IU of vitamin E per day or a placebo preparation for 8 weeks. Pain improved in 43 percent of vitamin women, and pain during sexual intercourse improved in 24 percent of vitamin women. In the placebo group, on the other hand, the symptoms worsened in some patients, while no change in the symptoms could be observed in the others.

The positive influence of the antioxidant vitamins was also shown by the inflammatory markers, as the values in the vitamin group dropped significantly.

In addition, vitamin C prevents the metastasis and spread of malignant tissue, among other things through its angiogenesis-inhibiting effect. Angiogenesis refers to the process when blood vessels form around or in a tumor so that it can keep itself alive in the future, which of course should be prevented in any case.

Since endometriosis also always leads to proliferation and uncontrolled spread of tissue, vitamin C should always be considered during therapy. In rats, vitamin C infusions have already been shown to be very helpful in reducing endometriosis growths ( 21).

How vitamin C infusions are administered, which doctor is able to do so, which preparations are suitable for this and much more on this topic can be read in the previous link.

What supplements are important for endometriosis?

In addition to vitamins, there are other dietary supplements that can help alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis.

Curcumin inhibits the spread of growths

Curcumin is the yellow dye and active ingredient from turmeric – the spice that can now be used as a dietary supplement for almost all ailments due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune system and hormone-regulating properties. (7)

As early as May 2013, a cell study was published that showed that curcumin inhibited the spread of endometrial cells because it was able to lower estrogen levels (6).

In a 2020 review, it was found that curcumin triggers precisely those regulatory mechanisms of action that would be required in endometriosis: It inhibits inflammation, relieves oxidative stress and inhibits angiogenesis as well as the attachment of endometrial cells to tissue outside the uterine cavity ( 24 ).

Melatonin improves the disease

Some studies have shown low melatonin levels in affected women ( 24 ). Animal studies found that typical lesions improved when the animals were given melatonin, so endometriosis sufferers could also take steps to optimize their melatonin levels – with the combination of melatonin and curcumin being particularly recommended for endometriosis.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake rhythm, among other things. When the melatonin level rises in the evening, we get tired, in the morning the level drops and we slowly wake up again. You can read more benefits of a healthy melatonin balance and how you can increase it naturally in our library.

Probiotics inhibit endometriosis

Probiotics consist of probiotic bacterial strains that can be used to remediate the intestinal flora. It has long been known that a disturbed intestinal flora can contribute to numerous diseases or prevent their healing. Endometriosis lesions can also be influenced by the condition of the intestinal flora.

The Endo. constantly activates the immune system and in this way promote the release of pro-inflammatory messenger substances, but also of growth factors, thus paving the way for their own spread and the typical pain, according to researchers at Saarland University in Homburg in 2016.

Probiotic bacterial strains may apparently be helpful here, as they not only affect estrogen metabolism, but also reduce inflammation and calm the immune system (12).

As early as 2011, a study was published in which a model showed that a certain probiotic bacterial strain (Lactobacillus gasseri) could inhibit the development of endometriosis lesions by activating the so-called natural killer cells (a type of immune cell) ( 13 ).

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce endometriosis lesions

The anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids also belong in the therapy of the disease – of course especially if your diet is low in these essential fatty acids. For example, a 2015 laboratory study showed that omega-3 fatty acids were better at reducing endometriosis lesions than vitamin D ( 16 ) ( 20 ).

Earlier studies (2013) already showed that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA could protect against the development of Endo. thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties (at least with the mice studied) ( 15 ).

Green tea extract as a natural remedy

In naturopathy, green tea extract has been discussed for several years as a well-tolerated and natural remedy for endometriosis and also against fibroids. The first studies with mice date back to 2013. It was shown that the administration of green tea extract or resveratrol could reduce the number and extent of growths ( 26 ).

In green tea extract, it is the so-called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a plant substance that makes up a third of the dried tea. It is a strong antioxidant substance with anti-cancer effects, but it also has a positive effect on the health of the blood vessels and thus helps to prevent arteriosclerosis.

Resveratrol is particularly known as an active ingredient from grapes and red wine. This is also an antioxidant, anti-cancer, neuroprotective and even antidepressant substance. In PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), taking resveratrol could help regulate hormone levels, indicating its possible use in hormonal diseases.

In another study from the same year, mice were also shown to suppress endometriosis over a four-week period when they were given EGCG, the isolated active ingredient in green tea extract ( 27 ).

A French study from 2014 also came to this conclusion ( 28 ). However, the poor bioavailability of the substance was lamented and EGCG was only seen as a helpful drug for endometriosis if it was possible to increase bioavailability. How exactly this is to be achieved was not explained. However, a study from 2004 already showed that piperine – the active ingredient from black pepper – could increase the bioavailability of EGCG ( 29 ). Vitamin C could also be added as an enhancer.

Which medicinal herbs help?

In traditional herbal medicine, the typical women’s medicinal herbs are also recommended for endometriosis. Raspberry leaves and lady’s mantle, for example, are medicinal plants that help harmonize the hormonal balance, strengthen the uterus and relieve pain.

You can make a tea from the two herbs and drink 1 to 2 cups of it daily, for example, for 6 weeks, then take a break of two weeks, then drink again for 6 weeks, etc.

Monk’s pepper: effect uncertain

Opinions differ regarding the possible intake of monk’s pepper (Vitex agnus-castus, also known as chaste tree) for endometriosis. Some experts advise against the use of monk’s pepper for this disease, while others strongly recommend it. Chasteberry is used with great success for irregular (short) cycles, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and menstrual cramps. It has proven to be particularly helpful in the case of insufficient production of the corpus luteum hormone.

Many women who had an unfulfilled desire to have children due to this problem became pregnant within a very short time with the help of monk’s pepper. So if your luteal hormone level is low – apart from endometriosis – and you also have very short cycles, monk’s pepper is a good option.

Avoid stress

Endometriosis becomes all the more painful the more tense the person is and thus also the abdomen. Permanent stress causes stress hormones to develop. These, in turn, lead to a hormonal imbalance, which can accelerate the formation of endometriosis. Therefore, it is very important that you avoid unnecessary stress and learn how to deal with stressful situations in daily life in a relaxed way. Relaxation and breathing exercises as well as meditation are extremely helpful in effective stress management.

Various massages, acupressure, progressive muscle relaxation, etc. can also help to relieve tension. Warm brine baths, warm compresses or mud packs serve the same purpose. Choose the method you like best.

There are also certain medicinal herbs and dietary supplements that can make the organism less susceptible to stress. The root of the sleeping berry, for example, has a calming effect, but at the same time anti-inflammatory and strengthening. In Ayurvedic medicine, the sleeping berry is called ashwagandha and is one of the most commonly used medicines there. In India, ashwagandha is taken instead of Valium by stressed managers. Rhodiola rosea is another so-called adaptogen, i.e. a plant that can make you more resistant to stress.

Exercise is important!

Sport and exercise are considered an important pillar in endometriosis therapy. Choose a sport that you like so that you stay on the ball and no stress arises or an uneasy feeling arises just because exercise is the order of the day and you don’t feel like it. If you’re not the sports type, at least go for a regular walk or jump on your trampoline. Especially in the case of endometriosis, the latter (along with yoga and Pilates) is ideal. The mixture of tension and relaxation brings you the highest possible health and training benefits with little effort.

Natural Hormone Therapy

Some women do not tolerate the conventional hormone preparations prescribed by their doctor very well. If the symptoms are so severe that holistic measures alone, which tend to have a long-term effect, are not sufficient, therapy with nature-identical hormone preparations, e.g. in the form of estrogen and progesterone creams or gels, is a good idea.

However, this requires the support of an appropriate hormone therapist, as he or she has to prescribe the bio-identical hormone preparations. These are then dosed according to the woman’s personal hormone requirements after a hormone test, in which the woman’s individual hormone status is determined. The hormone status is checked at regular intervals (e.g. every three months) in order to adjust the hormone dose to the current status again and again.

So you can see that there are many ways to treat endometriosis naturally and to support your own body in the best possible way with this symptom.

Where can I find an endometriosis support group?

The exchange with other affected people often helps a lot. At Endometriosis Australia you will find a self-help group in your area. Of course, you can also set up a self-help group yourself or become active in other ways to help and support fellow sufferers.