Endometriosis

Greetings Herbalife Distributors,

I hope you enjoyed our last newsletter on Narcolepsy.

Have a great day!

Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus (endometrial cells), but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometrial cells are the same cells that are shed each month during menstruation. The cells of endometriosis attach themselves to tissue outside the uterus and are called endometriosis implants. These implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder, although less commonly than other locations in the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis implants can occur outside the pelvis, on the liver, in old surgery scars, and even in or around the lung or brain. Endometrial implants, while they can cause problems, are benign (not cancerous).

In endometriosis:

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the backing up of menstrual flow into the Fallopian tubes and the pelvic and abdominal cavity during menstruation (termed retrograde menstruation). The cause of retrograde menstruation is not clearly understood. But retrograde menstruation cannot be the sole cause of endometriosis. Many women have retrograde menstruation in varying degrees, yet not all of them develop endometriosis.

Another possibility is that areas lining the pelvic organs possess primitive cells that are able to grow into other forms of tissue, such as endometrial cells.

Another theory suggests that remnants of tissue from when the woman was an embryo may later develop into endometriosis or that some adult tissues retain the ability they had in the embryo stage to transform into reproductive tissue under certain circumstances. Surgical transplantation has also been cited as a cause in cases where endometriosis is found in abdominal surgery scars, although it has also been found in such scars when direct accidental implantation seems unlikely.

Endometriosis can be mild, moderate or severe, and without treatment, it tends to get worse over time. Some women with endometriosis have no signs and symptoms at all, and the disease is discovered only when bits of endometrial tissue (implants) are found outside the uterus during an unrelated operation, such as a tubal ligation. Other women may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

Endometriosis can be treated with medications and/or surgery. The goals of endometriosis treatment may include pain relief and/or enhancement of fertility.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium) are commonly prescribed to help relieve pelvic pain and menstrual cramping. These pain-relieving medications have no effect on the endometrial implants. However, they do decrease prostaglandin production, and prostaglandins are well-known to have a role in production of pain sensation.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH analogs) have been effectively used to relieve pain and reduce the size of endometriosis implants. These drugs suppress estrogen production by the ovaries by inhibiting the secretion of regulatory hormones from the pituitary gland. As a result, menstrual periods stop, mimicking menopause. Nasal and injection forms of GnRH agonists are available.

Oral contraceptive pills (estrogen and progesterone in combination) are also sometimes used to treat endometriosis. The most common combination used is in the form of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Sometimes women who have severe menstrual pain are asked to take the OCP continuously, meaning skipping the placebo (sugar pill) portion of the cycle. Continuous use in this manner will free a woman of having any menstrual periods at all. Occasionally, weight gain, breast tenderness, nausea, and irregular bleeding are mild side effects. Oral contraceptive pills are usually well-tolerated in women with endometriosis.

Progestins [for example, medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera, Cycrin, Amen), norethindrone acetate, norgestrel acetate (Ovrette)] are more potent than birth control pills and are recommended for women who do not obtain pain relief from or cannot take a birth control pill.

Danazol (Danocrine) is a synthetic drug that creates a high androgen (male type hormone) and low estrogen hormonal environment by interfering with ovulation and ovarian production of estrogen. Eighty percent of women who take this drug will have pain relief and shrinkage of endometriosis implants, but up to 75% of women develop side effects from the drug.

Aromatase inhibitors is a newer approach to the treatment of endometriosis has involved the administration of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors [for example, anastrozole (Arimidex) and letrozole (Femara)]. These drugs act by interrupting local estrogen formation within the endometriosis implants themselves. They also inhibit estrogen production in the ovary, brain, and other sources, such as adipose tissue.

Infertility treatment - If you are having trouble becoming pregnant, treatment decisions for endometriosis may be more complex. The treatment you and your doctor choose may depend on how bad your endometriosis is, your age, your health in general, and other factors.

· Tonya McWhirt tells Herbacall, "I have severe Endometriosis. I had such severe cramping it was like labor pains times 10. It is so bad on the backside of my uterus that it has fused everything together. I have been taking the Tang Keui Plus and rubbing the Nature's Balancing Cream on twice a day. I have had a total of 5 cramps, that I could handle, in the three months that I have been doing this. Before doing those things 3 out of 7 days a week I hurt so bad I didn't want to get out of bed. My doctor had me on Provera three times a day and it didn't touch my pains. I quit taking the Provera as soon as I started my Herbalife plan! I hope this will keep someone from going under the knife to have everything removed, because there are other ways!"

· Rhondi Gartenfeld said, "Since the age of 18, I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have also had Glandular Fever, blood clots on the lungs, 10 broken ribs (through having Osteoporosis), a collapsed lung, a broken back, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Endometriosis & Fibromyalgia (to name a few). I answered an ad to work from home (not sure I could even cope with that) & was started on the products. I lost 6kg in 3 weeks! Not only that, but because of the great nutrition & energy I got from them, I am now C.F.S. FREE, after 30 years !!! I don't need to rely on my medication anymore (I kept forgetting to take them anyway as I felt that good). Because of my incredible results, my parents, brother & husband are now on the products & the word is still spreading. Thanks to Herbalife? I now have a life !!!"

· Want more information and more Herbalife testimonials?

Visit HerbaCall.com for more detailed information on many health conditions, news, and research links. HerbaCall has many testimonials on Diabetes and other conditions. Herbalife products can help calm your digestive system!