When you mention the word endometriosis to friends they may have no idea what you are talking about. I felt the same way when I heard the word xenoestrogens and wondered why more didn’t know about this horrible toxin.
When one doesn’t know about something does not mean it doesn’t exist or that it does not matter. I believe in education and with endo there is a big opportunity for this. For us to educate our loved ones so they can support us in a way that we need. And for us to educate ourselves on all the factors that can help us feel better and overcome the struggle with endometriosis.
Contrary to what your well-meaning friends, family, teachers, and coworkers may say: the pain you’re feeling isn’t in your head.
The pain you’re feeling is real.
And it can be hard. Especially because you want to show up for yourself, your team, your classmates, and your family. You want to achieve your goals and get the most out of life …
But sometimes, the pain is just too intense, and the chronic fatigue has worn you down.
You aren’t alone. While endometriosis can be an isolating and lonely disease, 176 million people in the world are going through similar pain and symptoms daily. And many women with endometriosis stated that they haven’t reached their full potential because of this disease.
I was one of those 176 million people. I know the toll chronic illness takes on all aspects of life. I’ve been there, and I want to provide you hope.
I’ve thrown money on a never-ending cycle of surgeries and pills until I found another way to beat endo – all through diet and lifestyle changes. And I know the same is possible for you too.
It all starts with learning the ins and outs of this disease so you can get ahead of your endometriosis. By doing my research and talking with expert naturopaths and functional medicine providers, I learned about different triggers that could be impacting my endometriosis.
While inflammatory foods can trigger endometriosis, non-dietary triggers exist too. Some of these include:
- Stress
- Poor sleep
- Emotional trauma
- Toxins like dioxins
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Electric and magnetic fields from technology
What are xenoestrogens and how do they work in your body?
Think of xenoestrogens like imposters: they’re trying to act like estrogen would in your body, but they’re not really estrogen. They just mimic the effects of estrogen or help your body produce more estrogen (real estrogen). Let’s break it down. The root “xeno” also helps to expose xenoestrogens’ true identities. “Xeno” means “foreign,” so these are substances outside of your body that will act like estrogen once they get inside your body. To understand how xenoestrogens work in your body, we need to understand how estrogen works in your body. Estrogen is a major type of sex hormone in women (the other is progesterone). It has many job responsibilities including :- Your physical feature changes during puberty
- Control and maintenance of your menstrual cycle and reproduction
- Your bone, brain, heart, and skin health
- If you get too little estrogen, you’ll experience symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, menstrual migraines, mood swings, and dry skin.
- If you get too much estrogen (something we call “estrogen dominance”), you may experience weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, and heavy or light periods.
Where are xenoestrogens hiding?
So where are these xenoestrogens found? Some places may surprise you. Xenoestrogens can be lurking in common products, such as:- Food
- Pharmaceutical drugs and medicines
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Make-up, lotions, and creams
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Plastics: Food containers
- Paints
- Oils
- Adhesives
- Bisphenol A (aka BPA) in plastics
- Phthalates like Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer for PVC
- Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), flame retardants in construction materials, furniture, and electronics
- Chlorinated cleaning products
- Atrazine (a weed killer)
- Benzophenone in sunscreen lotions
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, a food preservative)
How can I reduce my exposure to xenoestrogens?
I’m giving you a peek into our “Anti-Endo Program,” because during Phase 2 we support clients through detoxification and reducing our exposure to triggers – triggers like xenoestrogens. So what actionable steps can you take to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens?-
Restore and balance your estrogen levels
- Eating mainly organic, locally-grown, and in-season fruits and vegetables
- Consuming a high-fiber diet
- Incorporating omega-3 foods into your meals
- Drinking green tea
- Moving your body (but making sure not to overexercise if it’ll exacerbate your endometriosis symptoms)
- Managing your stress levels
2. Reduce your use of plastics
Take a look at the containers your food comes in or what you store your food in. If possible, replace your plastic containers with glass containers. Here are some other tips regarding plastics and cookware:- Avoid microwaving your food in plastic containers.
- Avoid freezing plastic water bottles or leaving them in a hot environment. If possible, try to use glass or stainless steel water bottles instead. Be sure to hand wash them after use too.
- Inspect your pots and pans. If they’re Teflon-coated nonstick, they could be releasing endocrine-disrupting chemicals when overheated.
- Replace your plastic shower curtain with a curtain made of a natural material like cotton or linen. Plastic shower curtains may contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The heat and steam from your shower can cause additives in the plastic to leech out, which you can then be exposed to. PVC also releases over 100 chemicals into your indoor air just by hanging on your shower rod, and these chemicals can persist in the air for at least 28 days.
Products that I recommend
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: Cast iron pans are durable and can distribute heat evenly when cooking your food. Make sure to be cautious about how often you use your cast iron pan as too much iron can be toxic to your body as well.
- Pyrex Glass Pan: Cooking with glass cookware is beneficial because glass is non-reactive and won’t release chemicals into your food. Glass can crack, so be sure to never place hot glass on a cold surface.
- Caraway Cookware Ceramic Coated Pans: Cookware that’s made of 100% ceramic material won’t leach chemicals. Make sure to find ceramic cookware that’s free of cadmium, lead, and fluorinated compounds like polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs).
- Glass Mason Jars, Dinner Plates, and Food Containers: Reduce the amount of food that you eat that’s in contact with plastic containers to avoid consuming leached chemicals. You can use mason jars and food containers for food storage, and glass plates, bowls, and cups for enjoying a meal with your family.
- Cotton Shower Curtain: A cotton shower curtain can reduce your exposure to chemicals that are released from plastic shower curtains.
3. Replace your household cleaning products and beauty and health products
Take an inventory of the chemicals that are in your cleaning and personal care products.- If needed, replace your cleaning products with chlorine-free, biodegradable chemicals.
- Avoid make-up, creams, and personal care products with fragrances, aluminum, and parabens.
- Replace your beauty and household products with naturally-based products that contain essential oils. You can even create your own products with natural ingredients!
- Dr. Bronner’s Soaps: If you’re looking for a soap that can be used for you and your family’s personal care, pets, fruits and vegetables, and for cleaning around your home – Dr. Bronner’s includes great soaps with organic oils.
- Deodorant: Aluminum is commonly used in some deodorants, but scientists have found that the aluminum can accumulate in your body and may pose a health risk. By using a deodorant that’s free of aluminum, parabens, and phthalates, you’re decreasing your exposure to xenoestrogens.
- Seventh Generation Dishwasher Gel: Brands such as Seventh Generation use natural, toxin free ingredients that can be used daily for everyday cleaning around your home.
Let’s beat endometriosis together!
I know what it’s like… …To fear for your period every month. … To sit at your office desk just wishing you could move the clock so you could go home because the pain is unbearable. … To feel stuck in this cycle of comparison because so many of your friends are accomplishing their dreams while you’re just doing your best to manage your endo symptoms. I’m here to help you ease your endometriosis. Together we’ll ease the overwhelm, emotional fatigue, pain, and work guilt. You don’t have to keep Googling your symptoms or going to endless doctors appointments. I’m here to help you through this journey each step of the way. And it all begins by identifying your endometriosis triggers like xenoestrogens.I’m holding a free endo workshop on how to Discover the 3 Secrets to Beat Endo for Good on Wednesday, May 19th at 7 pm EST/4 pm PST. You’ll hear about my endometriosis journey (and my detox) and learn:
- Why endo is more than a bad period and what you can do about it.
- How “the endo diet” didn’t work for me and what I focused on eating instead.
- The missing piece of my puzzle to finally achieving the pain relief I was desperately searching for.
FAQ
What foods help with endometriosis gut health?
The gut microbiome directly influences estrogen metabolism. An imbalanced gut (dysbiosis) can increase estrogen recirculation in the body, which fuels endometriosis growth and worsens pain. Supporting gut health through diet, probiotics, and reducing inflammatory foods is a key part of an integrative endometriosis treatment approach.
What foods help with endometriosis gut health?
Anti-inflammatory foods that support gut health in endometriosis include fiber-rich vegetables, fermented foods (like sauerkraut and kimchi),omega-3 fatty acids from wild fish, and leafy greens. Avoiding gluten, dairy, alcohol, and processed sugar can significantly reduce gut inflammation and endo symptoms.
Can healing your gut put endometriosis in remission?
While gut healing alone won’t cure endometriosis, addressing gut dysbiosis is a foundational step in a whole-body approach that has helped many women significantly reduce their pain and symptoms. Combined with nervous system regulation, hormone balancing, and lifestyle changes, gut healing can contribute to long-term symptom relief and even remission in some cases.
Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Endometriosis Expert. Former engineer who reversed her own stage 4 endometriosis naturally. Founder of the Anti-Endo Lifestyle program at khushsra.com.