COPING WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS: VITAMIN AND MINERAL THERAPY
Many women with endometriosis have heard of the benefits of treating the disease with vitamins and minerals and certainly members of the Endometriosis Association (Victoria) have talked about success with vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil in eliminating pain and treating lethargy and depression.
Most vitamins and minerals discussed in this section below can be bought off the shelf at your local health food shop.
Vitamin B
Vitamins can help in alleviating pain; in particular, vitamin B6 has been reported as being beneficial in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome and associated problems.
Although it is not certain why vitamin B6 helps, many PMS sufferers vow it has been instrumental in alleviating their symptoms of depression, lethargy, mood swings, irritability and pain.
Vitamin C
The merits of vitamin C have long been acknowledged. Alternative therapists say it helps not only with heavy bleeding (because it strengthens the blood vessel walls and helps the body to absorb iron) but also helps promote healing.
Another healing vitamin, it is often recommended for the prevention of thick scar tissue and to promote healthy skin; this would explain why it helps alleviate pain as it acts on adhesions and scar tissue left by endometriosis implants.
Zinc
Many practitioners believe zinc helps with PMS symptoms and also improves fertility.
Evening primrose oil
Many PMS sufferers cannot do without their evening primrose oil (EPO) as they say it helps alleviate symptoms and keeps the condition under control.
Endometriosis sufferers on hormonal drug therapy also report that it has helped them cope with the side effects often associated with these drug treatments.
Evening primrose oil is expensive (currently about $20 for a month’s supply) so you have to weigh up the benefits with the cost. EPO is a good source of gammalinolenic acid (GLA) — one of the essential fatty acids which produce prostaglandin.
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