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- What is endometriosis?
- Symptoms of endometriosis
- Causes of endometriosis
- Prevention of endometriosis
- Risk factors for endometriosis
- Complications of endometriosis
- When to see a doctor about endometriosis
- Diagnosis of endometriosis
- Conventional treatment of endometriosis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of endometriosis
- Living with endometriosis
- Caring for someone with endometriosis
Risk factors for endometriosis
While science is not sure why endometriosis occurs, there are a number of risk factors that have been identified that may make more likely for a woman to develop this condition:
- Environmental toxins - human and animal studies show that exposure to certain toxins (namely dioxin) may increase the risk of endometriosis development and this is because dioxin is an endocrine disrupter. An endocrine disrupt or is a substance which disrupts the proper function of the endocrine (hormonal) system so that the hormones no longer function in a healthy manner and a number of endocrine disorders can occur (endometriosis is one of them, but there are possibly links to cancer too)
- Family history - women who have close family relatives (mother, maternal grandmother, sisters) with endometriosis are much more likely to develop this condition too
- Heavy menstrual bleeding - women who have heavy menstrual bleeding (especially if it is associated with a shorter menstrual cycle) have a higher risk for developing endometriosis and this is because they have more exposure and possible sensitivity to the circulating eostrogen in their body, which is a risk factor for endometriosis, as it is an eostrogen-dependent disorder
- High saturated fat intake - women who have a diet that is high in saturated fat have a higher than recommended intake of the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids from foods and have very little intake of the anti-inflammatory foods in omega-3 fatty acids or GLA and this increases the inflammation in their body, which may increase risk of endometriosis
- Hypothyroidism - women who have hypothyroidism have increased density of their eostrogen receptors on their cells and are also likely candidates for endometriosis too
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- Menstrual cycle starting at early age - women who start their menstrual cycle at an early age are also more likely to develop endometriosis and this is because they have more exposure and possible sensitivity to the circulating eostrogen in their body, which is a risk factor for endometriosis, as it is an eostrogen-dependent disorder
- Obesity - women who are obese and/or have a higher fat ratio (higher than what is considered normal and healthy) have a much higher incidence of developing endometriosis. Experts believe this could be because these women have a higher intake of the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids from foods that are high in saturated fat or are highly processed and have very little intake of the anti-inflammatory foods in omega-3 fatty acids or GLA and this increases the inflammation in their body, which may increase risk of endometriosis
- Shorter menstrual cycle - women who have a shorter menstrual cycle, together with heavier menstrual bleeding are also at risk of developing endometriosis and this is because they have more exposure and possible sensitivity to the circulating eostrogen in their body, which is a risk factor for endometriosis, as it is an eostrogen-dependent disorder
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Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 4: prevention 6: complications > Last reviewed: 11 January 2010 || Last updated: 11 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
