What is Endometriosis?
1 in 10 women are affected by endometriosis. In the UK, 1.5 million women are affected and it still takes on average 9 years to get a diagnosis.
Symptoms such as debilitating cramps and pelvic pain, bleeding through clothes, painful sex, unexplained fatigue and frequent bloating can be signs of endometriosis, which is a condition I care personally and deeply about because it has affected my life for over 30 years. It is so common, still so under-recognized and undiagnosed. So many women tell me that they have awful pain during their menstrual cycles, commonly at the time of their period. Unfortunately, many of us were led to believe this is “normal”.
So let's talk about what endometriosis actually is and why I believe it is so important to support the body nutritionally and holistically (alongside medical care when necessary).
What's actually happening in the body
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that in the uterine lining (endometrial tissue) begins to grow outside the uterus in areas it doesn't belong, including on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, in the pelvic lining and even the bladder. Each month during the menstrual cycle, that tissue reacts to hormonal signals in the same way it would as that tissue inside the uterus. It thickens, breaks down and bleeds, trying to shed but because it has nowhere to go, it creates inflammation, chronic pain, irritation, leading to scar tissue and adhesions.
Common symptoms
Every woman's experience is different, but these are the most common symptoms that I hear about and have experienced myself:
very painful periods that cancel plans
digestive symptoms, such as bloating, painful bowel movements, changes in bowel habits and diarrhoea
pelvic pain that lasts well beyond bleeding
pain during sex
deep and unexplainable fatigue
difficulty conceiving
After my diagnosis in 2017, I learnt to stop normalising all of these symptoms. However, it saddens me to hear how many women are still experiencing and normalising them. If you experience pain that is debilitating and is having a major impact on your life, it is not something to just “push through” and “cope” with, it is worth taking seriously and seeking support for as you don’t need to keep suffering.
Why approaching endometriosis from a root-cause perspective is important
Despite there being several theories about endometriosis, it is still not fully understood why it develops. Genetics play a role. So might immune system function and how the body clears cells that don't belong where they've landed. Hormonal balance — particularly oestrogen — is central to how the condition progresses, since the misplaced tissue is oestrogen-responsive.
My work as a naturopathic nutritionist can help support the body's ability to manage inflammation and hormonal balance, which many of my clients find meaningfully improves how they feel day to day. I'm not able to reverse endometriosis or replace the medical evaluation and treatment that's genuinely important here, as a proper diagnosis usually involves imaging and often a procedure called laparoscopy.
How I can help to support alongside medical care
When navigating endometriosis, it is important to look at a few interconnected areas:
Reducing the inflammatory load. Since endometriosis is fundamentally inflammatory, I look at how someone's overall way of eating and living might be adding to or easing that burden.
Supporting hormone metabolism. The liver and gut both play a role in how the body processes and clears excess estrogen. When those systems are supported, many women notice a difference in symptom intensity.
Gut health. There's a real, documented connection between gut health and estrogen balance, and digestive symptoms are so common in endometriosis that I almost always start here.
Stress and nervous system support. Chronic pain is exhausting, physically and emotionally, and the stress response itself can influence inflammation and hormones. This part of the picture gets overlooked constantly, and I don't think it should be.
Working alongside your medical team. I always encourage clients to stay connected with a gynecologist, especially one experienced in endometriosis specifically. My role is to complement that care, not substitute for it.
You deserve to be believed
If there's one thing I want every woman reading this to walk away with, it's this: your pain is real, it deserves investigation, and you don't have to just manage it alone or in silence. Whether you're newly diagnosed, still searching for answers, or looking for ways to feel more like yourself again, support exists, medically and nutritionally, and you're allowed to ask for it.
If this resonates with you, I'd love to talk about what a personalised approach could look like for your body specifically.
This post is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical or nutritional advice. Please work with your healthcare provider on diagnosis and treatment.