Endometriosis is a condition where tissues similar to those lining the uterus (i.e. endometrium) are found outside the uterus. People with endometriosis experience irregular periods and may also have infertility issues due to the condition affecting the quality of their semen. In addition, there is a strong association between endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain (also known as chronic non-specific pelvic pain or CPNP). In fact, up to 80% of people with endometriosis experience some form of chronic pelvic pain.
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown but it is believed to be a matter of genetics and hormones. The incidence of endometriosis is about 5% and it is more common in women of childbearing age. The condition can however occur at any age and it is somewhat more common in people of African descent. One of the main problems with endometriosis is that it is often under-diagnosed and, thus, under-treated. Furthermore, because it is associated with female infertility and chronic pelvic pain, people with endometriosis can find it difficult to lose weight. This is partly due to the fact that the pain associated with the condition inhibits them from participating in any form of exercise and partly because of the drug therapies used to treat it. The following will discuss some of the best ways to lose weight with endometriosis.
Reduce Sugar And Processed Foods
Just because your periods have stopped doesn’t mean you can indulge in all the junk foods you crave. If you have endometriosis and you try to lose weight by eating a lot of sugar and processed foods, you will only aggravate the condition. These foods contain a lot of energy which will give you a short-term boost but they also cause long-term damage to your health. Therefore, it is best to avoid them and focus on eating plenty of vegetables and fruit to maintain healthy bones. There are a few exceptions though. If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, you should consult your doctor before introducing any dietary changes. In general though, it is best to avoid foods with added sugar and instead focus on those containing fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. A healthy diet and a lot of exercise can help people with endometriosis lose weight and improve their health conditions.
Consume More Water
Drinking plenty of water will help you stay hydrated and it also helps flush out toxins from your system. Therefore, you should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. This can assist with weight loss by making you feel fuller for longer and by increasing your metabolism. If you drink sufficient amounts of water, it can also help to regulate your menstrual cycle so that you have fewer headaches and reduced inflammation. You should not, however, overdo it and think that you have to drink copious amounts of water just to lose weight. You should aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day but you should not drink more than twenty cups (2 litres) per day. The key is to find what is right for your body and make changes to suit your needs.
Eat More Organic
If you have endometriosis and you want to lose weight, you should consider switching to organic foods as much as possible. When it comes to food preparation, organic foods require considerably less water and no soap, which means your food will taste better. Cleaning your food with soap can strip the nutrients and cause you to lose weight. Furthermore, many conventional food processing techniques strip food of its nutrients so that they do not have to be replenished by the body as often. Eating food that is grown using natural fertilizers and without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides is the best way to go as this minimizes the toxins absorbed by the body and the threat to its long-term health. Aside from the fact that organic foods are generally healthier, you will also feel better knowing that you are not putting toxins into your body.
Cut Back On The Booze And Take More Water
If you have endometriosis and you want to lose weight, you should cut back on the drinks containing alcohol as much as possible. While liquor has been known to assist with pain relief for some people with endometriosis, it should never be used to treat it. If you start seeing benefits from reducing or cutting back on your alcoholic beverages, you should continue with this diet plan and see how it affects your health. In the same way that sugar and processed foods affect your health, drinking alcohol can also deteriorate your health and lead to further weight gain. If you want to lose weight with endometriosis, it is best to avoid all forms of alcohol and instead focus on water and healthy organic foods. Cutting back on the drink can also help to improve the quality of your menstrual cycle and reduce your headache and inflammation levels. In summary, reducing sugar, processed foods, and alcohol can help people with endometriosis to lose weight and improve their health conditions.
Avoid Stressful Living
It is well-established that stress leads to weight gain and it is also associated with endometriosis. If you are constantly under a lot of stress, you will find it hard to lose weight and keep it off. You should learn to manage your stress levels and try to relax as much as possible. This might mean taking a walk, listening to music, reading a book, or going to the shrink. Cutting back on the stress will assist with weight loss by making you feel better and reducing the daily aches and pains that come with the condition. It will also improve the quality of your sleep and enable you to wake up feeling refreshed and re-fueled for the day.
Reducing sugar, processed foods, and alcohol can assist with weight loss for people with endometriosis. Furthermore, eating organic foods and avoiding toxins can help to improve their health and, thus, their chances of losing weight with the condition. In summary, the above advice can help to shed those extra pounds, and improve the quality of your life.