There are a few elements that need to work in synergy in order to initiate healing in the body. Remember, your body is always working towards, and wants, to always return to a state of health and balance, and with a little dedicated and persistent help, it eventually will!

Sometimes the Universe will put a challenge of this magnitude in our path so that we will begin to explore things that we might not otherwise have looked into. We recommend that you begin a Kundalini Yoga practice.
Kundalini Yoga with its work on the endocrine system, its ability to increase circulation to the inner organs, detoxify the cells, work on the emotional level ,and more, is a very important tool in helping the body to heal. There is also the extra dimension with regard to a spiritual practice which can help transcend roadblocks on one's life path.

In addition to your physical Kundalini yoga practice, a daily meditation will be very beneficial as well.

The "Potency & Fertility" set on our Yoga House Call DVD would be a great place to start, as well as our Yoga Bliss Hips, and Kundalini Yoga Body Electric DVDs.

Its also important to cut out acid forming foods like sugar, coffee, black tea, and meat which increase inflammation in the body. We recommend that you increase fresh raw organic fruits and fresh vegetables and salad. When the body is in an alkaline state it is more conducive to a positive outcome in these types of situations.
The symptoms attributed to endometriosis can be tempered by implementing some positive lifestyle changes along with your Kundalini Yoga practice and that you will be healthier than you have ever been!

We suggest that you do at least 30 minutes of Kundalini Yoga per day. Any of our DVDs will be beneficial for you. We especially recommend our Fat Free Yoga, Warrior Workout, and our new title: Kundalini Cardio Stretch & Strengthen as good choices for you because they all help increase circulation through their cardio element while also working on the glandular system and lessening inflammation in the body. Time permitting, try to take a 10 minute brisk walk before your yoga practice.

Re: Diet & Lifestyle: We recommend a clean, fresh, organic, mainly vegetarian diet. Eliminating sugar, coffee, alcohol, dairy products, processed and junk foods, will make an immediate difference for you.

We also suggest avoiding the use of plastic to hold beverages and foods. A good probiotic, digestive enzymes, and an essential fatty acid supplement will be helpful additions.

We also recommend sitali pranayam: inhale through a curled extended tongue, exhale through your nose (tongue extended the whole time). On both the inhale and exhale think Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung. This is a healing mantra.

Elaboration of Positive Lifestyle Considerations

1) Reduce Chemical Intake
There is increasing evidence that chronic exposure to the environmental chemicals dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is associated with an increased prevalence and severity of endometriosis.

One way to reduce intake of these chemicals is to cut back on animal fat, especially high-fat dairy, red meat, and fish. Dioxin and PCBs both accumulate in animal fat, and it is our main source of exposure.

Interestingly, studies on diet and endometriosis also support this link. For example, an Italian study examined data from 504 women with endometriosis and found an increased risk with a high intake of red meat and ham. Fresh fruit and vegetables were associated with a reduction in risk.

2) Vegetables and Flaxseeds
There is evidence that a group of plant chemicals called flavones can inhibit aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. Good food sources of flavones are celery and parsley.

Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy, contain compounds called indoles, which appear to improve estrogen metabolism.

Flaxseeds are high in lignans and fiber, which have been found to be beneficial for estrogen-related conditions.

3) Progesterone Cream
There haven't been any studies on progesterone cream for endometriosis, so we don\'t know for certain about it\'s effectiveness or safety.

Progesterone cream is derived from either soy or Mexican wild yam. A molecule called diosgenin is extracted in a lab and converted to a molecule that\'s exactly like human progesterone and added to back to the cream. Some companies sell wild yam cream, but unless it has been converted in a lab it is useless, because the body can\'t convert wild yam to progesterone on its own.

Natural progesterone cream is applied to the wrists, inner arms, inner thighs, or upper chest at a dose and schedule that should be recommended by a professional. It\'s important to be supervised and to have progesterone levels monitored on lab tests, because too much progesterone can cause such side effects as mood changes, depression, water retention, weight gain, and absent or abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Natural progesterone cream is available from a compounding pharmacy (the website www.iacprx.org has listings) or at regular drug stores.

4) Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. They are also available in fish oil capsules, which may be the preferable form because good brands contain minimal amounts of PCBs and dioxins.

Several studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with endometriosis. For example, an animal study by the University of Western Ontario found that fish oil containing two specific compounds, EPA and DHA, can relieve pain by decreasing levels of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E2. Researchers also found that fish oil could slow the growth of endometrial tissue.

5) Stress Reduction
Cortisol is a hormone involved in the stress response but is also needed to make other hormones such as progesterone. Prolonged stress can lead to elevations in cortisol, which alternative practitioners say may decrease the available progesterone and result in a hormonal imbalance.

One study involving 49 women found that cortisol levels were significantly higher in women with advanced endometriosis compared to women who didn\'t have this condition.

Herbs and nutrients that alternative practitioners commonly recommend for stress reduction include:

* Ashwaghandha
* B vitamins
* Vitamin C
* Zinc
* Magnesium

Other stress reduction methods include:

* Relaxation Response
* Mindfulness Meditation
* Diaphragmatic Breathing

6) Hydrotherapy
A contrast sitz bath is often recommended by alternative practitioners for endometriosis. It is a home remedy and has not been studied.

A contrast sitz bath involves sitting in a small basin or tub filled with hot water for three minutes, then getting up and sitting in another basin filled with cool water for one minute. The hot water-cold water cycle is repeated another 3 times. It is not usually done during menstruation.

7) Ginger Tea
Ginger tea may relieve the nausea that can occur with endometriosis.

8) Bacterial or yeast overgrowth
William Crook, author of The Yeast Connection believed there was a strong connection between endometriosis and candida yeast overgrowth.

A study by the Woman\'s Hospital of Texas examined 50 women with endometriosis and found that 40 women showed bacterial overgrowth. After eight weeks of treatment, here was a significant reduction in symptoms.

Disclaimer: The advice we give is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Please consult your physician before beginning any exercise program or nutritional protocol.