Living with endometriosis can be challenging, as it often comes with chronic and severe pain. Whether you suffer from severe menstrual pain, painful intercourse, or pain throughout the month, it can get in the way of your life.
However, there are ways to manage endometriosis symptoms and find relief. At Maiden Lane Medical, we believe in treating the root cause of your endometriosis-related pain by removing the endometrial tissue and related scarring with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
However, if you’re looking for effective ways to manage endometriosis and alleviate chronic pain while waiting for a diagnosis or surgery, keep reading to discover valuable insights and practical tips that can help you navigate your endometriosis symptoms and ease pain.
MANAGING ENDOMETRIOSIS PAIN
APPLY HEAT
Heat is one of the most effective home remedies for endometriosis pain. Heating pads, rice socks, and good old-fashioned hot water bottles provide just enough warmth to ease your cramping and soothe your body. Resting in a warm bath can help relax your entire body. Heat loosens cramping muscles, which can alleviate pain and help you feel better overall.
INVEST IN A TENS MACHINE
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine delivers a gentle and adjustable electrical current into tight, cramping muscles. The portable device has a few wires with sticky electrodes that you can place over sore muscles. When you turn on the device, it sends a mild current into those muscles to help them relax and lessen your discomfort.
TAKE MEDICATION
Many women find that ibuprofen helps relieve their endometriosis pelvic pain. While you don’t want to be overly reliant on pain medication, even over-the-counter drugs, keeping a bottle of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can take the edge off your pain. If you cannot tolerate medication such as Motrin, Alleve, or Naprosyn, please talk to your doctor, as we can give you a non-narcotic prescription alternative with fewer side effects.
Additionally, talk to your doctor about whether additional medications, including hormones, may help to temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Find out how our doctors can help you
CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE
While there is little clinical evidence about the efficacy of acupuncture, anecdotally, we know that many women with endometriosis find that the therapy helps alleviate their pain and feel better overall. In Eastern medicine, acupuncture is believed to regulate and correct the flow of qi or life energy through your body. Conventional medicine thinks that the needles stimulate your nerves.
We say, if it helps you feel better, find a safe and hygienic practice for your acupuncture treatments. An inexpensive option for this in NYC is the clinic at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
TRACK YOUR SYMPTOMS AND PLAN AHEAD
Understanding your menstrual cycle and its impact on your symptoms can help you plan ahead and manage any challenges that may arise. There are plenty of health apps available that you can keep track of your symptoms, their severity, and when they occur during your cycle.
This data can help you predict the days when you are more likely to feel rough and prepared. For example, you can make sure that you have ibuprofen or another pain medication available or give yourself extra time to get ready and get moving.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
Taking care of your overall health and well-being can help you feel better able to cope with your endometriosis symptoms.
EAT YOUR VEGGIES
Following a healthy diet provides many health benefits. Your body benefits from the vitamins and nutrients, which help optimize your body function. Additionally, a high-veggie diet can help your digestion during your menstrual period and ease some of your digestive symptoms.
Also, ensuring you get enough omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, like tuna and salmon, and eggs might help reduce your symptoms. Additionally, vitamin D is known to boost your mood, and B vitamins increase your energy levels, both of which can make it a little easier to deal with endometriosis symptoms.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
When you don’t get enough sleep, your fatigue is likely to decrease your pain threshold and increase your irritability. Make sure that you get enough sleep at night and nap during the day. Feeling well-rested can make it easier to cope with your pain and other symptoms.
MOVE YOUR BODY
When you’re coping with pelvic pain and digestive issues like diarrhea, going for a run is probably the last thing you want to do. However, staying active helps reduce any anxious feelings caused by your endometriosis.
Also, any type of aerobic or resistance training triggers an endorphin release in your body, which helps you experience less pain and feel better overall. Many of our patients report that practicing yoga relieves physical and mental stress.
MEDITATE
Don’t be intimidated by the suggestion to meditate — you don’t need to spend hours meditating. Learning to take a few moments to focus on your breath, and the present moment can do wonders to reduce stress and anxiety.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Remember, if you don’t feel well enough to meet a friend for dinner or make it to other plans, it’s okay. If you’re honest with yourself and your friends and family, you will be better equipped to understand and cope with the rough days. Don’t beat yourself up or engage in negative self-talk when you’re feeling rough.
Schedule an Appointment With Maiden Lane Medical Today!
If you’re concerned that you have endometriosis or are looking for a physician who can effectively treat your condition to ease your pain, call us at Maiden Lane Medical or make an appointment online.
Our team of gynecologists has years of experience in diagnosing and treating endometriosis using various methods, including hormone therapy. We are the premier endometriosis surgeons in New York City. We perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries to remove endometriosis adhesions and scar tissue to address the root cause of your chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms.