Endometriosis is a common health condition among women, but that doesn’t make it any less painful.
In case you don’t already know, endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to that which lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It’s most commonly found to be around the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and the tissues lining the pelvis.
If you’re suffering from pain associated with endometriosis, or you know someone who is, take these five tips to heart and feel the pain melt away!
- Use heat Warm baths and heating pad, rice sock
If you’re in pain, heat should become your best friend. Heat helps the muscles relax and reduces cramps all while increasing blood flow to the affected area.
If getting into a hot tub isn’t a viable option, make yourself a nice warm bath. Light some candles, play some soft music, break out a bath bomb, and focus on relaxing.
Not every home is equipped with a bathtub, so if a bath isn’t possible, get yourself a heating pad. Place it over the painful areas for at least 20 minutes to get the best results.
If you’re unable to get a heating pad, try this trick: get a clean sock and fill it with uncooked rice. Place the sock in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a homemade heating pad!
- Stay hydrated
Staying properly hydrated can solve countless health issues, and pain associated with endometriosis is no exception.
It’s recommended that women drink 11.5 cups of water per day. Make sure you’re drinking enough water each day by using a refillable container. For example, if you use a 1-liter refillable bottle, drinking it empty 3 times per day will guarantee you’re properly hydrated.
Staying hydrated helps to reduce bloating and inflammation, so if you’re having a particularly painful day, dehydration could be the culprit.
- OTC Medication
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil), are designed to reduce inflammation in painful areas.
While these shouldn’t be used frequently or for long periods of time, having some on hand can keep you going when the pain becomes unbearable.
Some other OTC medications you could use to treat pain from your endometriosis include aspirin and naproxen. These medications are readily available and easy to find in any grocery store or pharmacy, so get yourself a bottle and keep some handy for those particularly rough days.
- Alternative Medicine
It’s understandable if you’re not interested in using standard pharmaceutical medications. They’re not naturally produced and can have lasting negative effects if used too often.
Alternative medicines like cannabis have been proven to effectively treat pain associated with countless health conditions. Using cannabis comes with minimal side effects, so you can rest assured knowing what you’re using is safe.
If you want to use cannabis to treat your pain associated with endometriosis, you don’t have to become a smoker either. There are plenty of topical cannabis lotions and ointments you can use to target the pain directly, so you don’t have to get high!
You can read more about how to treat pain using cannabis here.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Treating pain involves more than just applying a cream, sitting with a heating pad, and drinking enough water. If you want to minimize your pain levels, the best thing you can do (along with everything previously mentioned) is maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Eating a healthy, vegetable-rich diet will help to keep bloating and inflammation at bay, while exercising regularly will keep your immune system strong, and train your body to recover quickly.
Taking a holistic approach to treating pain associated with endometriosis is the best way to minimize the pain you feel, and get to the root of your health problems.
Conclusion
Pain associated with endometriosis can be unpredictable. Some days are better than others, but you don’t have to be a victim of your own body. Make sure you take these five tips to heart, and you’ll start to feel better in no time!
