Endometriosis and TTC

Hey friends, I am not back off my break yet, but a fellow blogger named Tania approached me a couple of weeks ago and asked for my help spreading information about endometriosis to women who are TTC. She asked if she wrote up a blog post for me if I would put it on my blog. As a big part of the reason behind my blogs is to provide information as well as support to fellow IFers, I immediately told her yes. Especially because she wanted to write up something that applied to one of my reasons for infertility. I feel that as infertiles, the best thing we can do is educate ourselves as to why we are in the situations we are in if we know why we are here. I know exactly why I'm here, so I was excited to be a part of this with Tania. Below is the post she wrote up just for my blog and my readers. If you suffer from endo, please take a look at it. Maybe it will provide you with information you didn't have before. I know it did for me.

Love you all and miss you!

Endometriosis Research and Omega -3-Fatty Acid Rich Diet

According to recent scientific endometriosis research, women that consume a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids could be less likely to develop the disease, while women that have diets rich in trans-fats may have an increased risk. The study indicates there is a direct link between endometriosis and the diet a woman observes. The total amount of fat consumed in the diet does not matter nearly as much as the type of fat being eaten.

Females that consumed an omega-3 fatty acid rich diet were 22% less likely to develop endometriosis, while 48% of women that ate the least amount of these fats had a considerably higher risk. The study was conducted on 70,709 nurses in the United States and lasted for 12 years and found that diet plays a vital part in the development of endometriosis. The informational study also determined that a low fat diet is not necessarily the best and only seemed to highlight the need to eliminate trans-fats from the diet entirely.

Millions of women trying to conceive will experience endometriosis, which can have a direct impact on fertility. Many females have been seeking an alternative choice which will allow them to manage the symptoms of endometriosis and reduce the risks of developing the disease. Making certain dietary modifications now and incorporating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be done as a protective measure and actually might reduce the risks of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition in which uterine tissues are located in areas outside of the womb, the tissue bleeds during menstruation and causes some women to endure chronic pain. Some women have no symptoms of endometriosis and others can experience debilitating pain. The endometrial tissue can also adhere to other organs in the body and may cause infertility problems in women trying to conceive.

The disease of endometriosis affects approximately 10% of females of childbearing age and because the causes are not completely understood, a woman can go through many different things trying to manage the symptoms and treat the pain. Symptoms of a pain related to endometriosis are commonly dealt with by using anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, hormones or surgery. However, for women that have tried everything and experience no significant relief from the pain, making lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes can yield positive results.

Endometriosis research has indicated that tracking dietary habits and categorizing certain foods can help a woman find out which foods are actually helping and which are leading to an increase in symptoms. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids can be found in many foods but the most common are tuna, salmon, mackerel, mayonnaise and full fat salad dressing. Trans fat foods are produced through a method called hydrogenation which changes the vegetable oil into solid fat and has been linked to an increase of heart disease.

When dealing with endometriosis and trying to manage the painful side effects, a woman can be at a loss as to know what to do. Through checking into all the research information and consulting with a nutritionist or dietician can help a woman devise a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acid foods, which can improve both quality of life and fertility. More research is ongoing to determine if a reduction of trans fats and an increase in omega-3 fatty acids can hold any more benefits for women suffering from endometriosis.

For more information, you can visit Tania's blog.