An endometriosis flare-up is a period of increased severity of endometriosis, resulting in increased pain and worsenedsymptoms.
This article will review endometriosis flare-up symptoms, causes, and management strategies.
Endometriosis flare-ups can vary in length.
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For others, other factors that cause increased inflammation and last up to several weeks can trigger flare-ups.
you might control some of these triggering factors, while others you cannot.
Hormonal Changes
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition that fluctuating levels ofestrogenhormones trigger.
The normal hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle often trigger flare-ups as well.
Stress
Like other inflammatory conditions, endometriosis is associated with high levels of chronic stress.
In turn, sleep disruption can weaken the immune system, causing an abnormal increase in inflammatory processes.
This increased inflammation can then stimulate more pain, resulting in an ongoing cycle of pain and poor sleep.
Because of this, alcohol use has been associated with an increased risk of endometriosis.
This includes diet, exercise, alcohol use, sleep quality, and stressful events.
Over time, you may notice a common trend in your journal entries.
This may include making certain lifestyle changes or learning ways to manage stress effectively.
Endometriosis Pain Relief and Coping Tips
Pain from endometriosis can be severe and debilitating.
Current treatment for endometriosis includes pain-relieving and/or hormone-suppressing medications and surgery to remove lesions if necessary.
But sometimes, these methods arent enough to alleviate pain.
Self-care methods may help reduce your pain and manage your symptoms in addition to medical treatment.
Your healthcare provider may want you to try several different types of medications to reduce your symptom severity.
These triggers can occur with stress, lack of sleep, alcohol use, and inflammatory foods.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis: fast facts.
2020 Jan;27(1):39-45. doi:10.1007/s43032-019-00053-0.
Ishikura IA, Hachul H, Pires GN, et al.The relationship between insomnia and endometriosis.J Clin Sleep Med.
2020;16(8):13871388.
