Nexus - 0406 - New Times Magazine-pages

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lems and shrink at menopause when oestrogen levels decrease. "Since oestrogen initiates endometrial cell proliferation and the Fibroids are a product of oestrogen dominance: oestrogen stimu- formation of blood vessel accumulation in the endometrium, the lates their growth, and lack of oestrogen causes them to atrophy. aim of treatment is to block this monthly oestrogen stimulus to the Dr John Lee, author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You aberrant endometrial islets. Progesterone stops further prolifera- About Menopause, has successfully stopped the growth of fibroids tion of endometrial cells [but] the treatment requires patience..." and, in some cases, eliminated them completely by using natural Pelvic Pain: Sometimes women experience chronic pelvic progesterone creams that counter the oestrogen dominance effect. pain, with no diagnosable pathology able to be found. While hys- Changes to diet are also quite effective. Dr Christiane Northrup terectomies are often performed under these circumstances, they has found that, "A woman who [adopts] a low-fat, high-fibre, fail to relieve the pain in 30 per cent of cases. However, women mostly vegetarian diet will often experience decreased bleeding, have received benefit from using a combination of correct diet, bloating and even a decrease in the size of her fibroids." The diet exercise, natural progesterone, nutritional supplements and emo- she recommends eliminates dairy products, red meat, chicken and tional exploration. refined sugar. She advises eating organically grown food as much Menstruation: Unfortunately, some doctors still regard men- as possible to eliminate the oestrogenic effects from pesticides struation as something of a disease, to be treated by removal of and herbicides. Dr Northrup also reports that, "The vast majority the uterus. Novak's Textbook of Gynecology, a widely used text- of women who treat fibroids though diet get rid of their pain and _ book in the 1970s, instructs: heavy bleeding within three to six months."” "Menstruation is a nuisance to most women, and if this can be Surgery is usually only appropriate when women have heavy abolished without impairing ovarian function, it would probably bleeding or pain that cannot be alleviated in any other way; if they be a blessing not only to the woman but to her husband... Thus want to become pregnant but fibroids are a significant hindrance; one can make a rather convincing case for the value of elective or if the fibroids are interfering with the function of other organs. _ hysterectomy." Even when surgery is required, however, there is usually a better Women suffering from menstrual irregularities and heavy choice than hysterectomy. A procedure called "myomectomy", bleeding have found great benefit from using a range of natural which removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact, does therapies, by making dietary and nutritional changes, and by not cause the multitude of problems adopting meditation and relaxation and symptoms associated with post- techniques. hysterectomy syndrome. However, A A Cancer: Removal of the reproduc- myomectomies require greater skill It Is crucial, however, that every tive organs is clearly justified and has on the part of the surgeon. woman should know exactly what saved many lives when cancers have Endometriosis: The second most . . . developed in these organs. Yet, pre- common problem used to justify she Is getting herself into. cancerous changes in the uterus or hysterectomy is endometriosis, a cervix are often used to justify hys- condition in which tiny islets of | ...it'S impossible just to pluck out terectomy. This is unfortunate, endometrium (inner lining cells of because the vast majority of these the uterus) become scattered in areas an organ or disturb the body's changes can be arrested and reversed whey they don't belong, e.g., the balance without paying a price. without major surgery and before Fallopian tubes, within the uterine becoming cancerous. musculature, on the outer surfaces of the uterus and other pelvic organs, WOMEN'S RIGHTFUL POWERS the colon, bladder and sides of the pelvic cavity. There is no doubt that there are valid and justified reasons for While the cause of endometriosis is unclear, there is no doubt undergoing hysterectomy and that many women who have been that it is a disease of the latter part of the 20th century since it was suffering from chronic, painful and sometimes life-threatening virtually unknown earlier this century. Dr John Lee speculates conditions have indeed benefited immensely from surgery. It is that this disease has been spawned as a result of xeno-oestrogen crucial, however, that every woman should know exactly what (toxic oestrogens found in pesticides and herbicides) prevalence she is getting herself into. After all, it's impossible just to pluck in the environment.” He notes that 70 years ago there were 21 out an organ or disturb the body's balance without paying a price. cases of endometriosis worldwide, but, in stark contrast, a total of For those women who have already undergone hysterectomy, it five million cases have been reported to date in the US alone. may be distressful to realise that the surgery may well have been Endometriosis symptoms include incapacitating menstrual unnecessary. Though nothing can bring back a uterus that has cramps, heavy bleeding, nausea and vomiting. While drug treat- been removed, it can be healing, even years after surgery, to take ments using synthetic progestins are available, they have side- a quiet moment, place your hands on your belly, thank your uterus effects and in the end don't always provide relief. Hysterectomies for all it gave you and say goodbye. By choosing a healthy diet are often performed on women after the drugs have failed. and lifestyle, and considering guidance from qualified natural Unfortunately, surgery does not always alleviate the pain and practitioners or complementary medicine doctors, a woman is bet- difficulties. Endometriosis, being aggravated by oestrogen ter able to ensure and maintain her health and well-being. excess, will disappear with menopause. Perhaps the best advice comes from Dr Stanley West: Dietary changes greatly assist in reducing the symptoms of "The challenge informed women face is to persuade doctors to endometriosis. As Dr Northrup reports, "Endometriosis symp- turn away from the panaceas of the past to the treatments of the toms often disappear completely or lessen dramatically when future. The last few decades have shown how forceful and women follow a low-fat, high-fibre diet free of all dairy products —_ resourceful women can be in pursuit of the economic and political (even low-fat dairy products)."*' power they were so long denied. Dr Lee has achieved successful results using natural proges- Continued on page 83 terone cream to treat women with endometriosis. He writes that, pag 34 - NEXUS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1997