The 10 Best Products for Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects 1 in 10 women and people with uteruses worldwide. If that number includes you, we’re here for you!
Endometriosis causes inflammation and scar tissue formation when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can be commonly found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic floor. Over time, fibrous tissues may grow and form adhesions, which cause pelvic organs to stick together.
Symptoms of endometriosis vary but often include pelvic pain and extreme cramps (especially during menstruation), excessive bleeding during periods, pain during sex, infertility, chronic fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and bloating. In many cases, the pain may be debilitating enough to force you to cancel plans, stay home from work or school, or not even leave the house.
At Pelvic Health & Wellness, we’re always looking for products that can help you maintain an at-home self-care routine when your endometriosis symptoms flare. We hope you find these products to be helpful in managing your endo symptoms such as pelvic pain, cramps, and a heavy flow.
Here’s our list of the top 10 products for managing your endometriosis symptoms:
Heating Pad (Menstruation Crustacean)
Heating pads like this are the number one item for easing endometriosis pain because the gentle heat loosens muscles when cramping pain increases.
Caution: Do not overheat the pad when using it. Higher heat will not make it more effective and can cause burns. We love this heating pad because it’s cute, making using it more enjoyable.
A yoga mat is perfect for your gentle movement exercises and at-home physical therapy exercise program. Its non-slip surface will help you feel more confident in your program, and choosing your favorite color/pattern will make
using it more enjoyable.
We love that both sides of this yoga mat are non-slip, so you can roll it out either way. This mat also offers the most variety in color and pattern options.
Period panties can provide an alternative to pads or tampons and are washable for multiple uses. This style can hold up to the equivalent of 4 tampons, which is ideal for people who experience heavy menstrual flows, a common symptom of endometriosis.
Period panties can also be used for peace of mind when used with tampons or menstrual cups if you struggle with traditional menstrual products not holding enough volume.
Using a knee pillow when sleeping can help relieve sciatica and hip pain that may flair up during menstruation.
Try sleeping with this pillow between your upper legs and adjust as needed to find pain relief. The contoured design helps hold the hips in a neutral position during sleep to reduce hip and sciatica pain. The memory foam adjusts to your body for more comfortable sleeping positions.
Using a TENS Unit uses electrical impulses to reduce pain signals that travel to the brain. This can help relax muscles and lower pain.
This unit has reusable pads that can be placed on the body around painful areas. This is most helpful during endo symptom flares when heating pads might not provide enough relief.
A hot Epsom salt bath can provide full-body relief from endo pain. The hot water will relax and loosen tight muscles. Dissolved magnesium absorbs through the skin, relaxing stiff muscles, reducing swelling and pain, and lowering inflammation.
We like adding skin-safe essential oils like lavender oil to the Epsom salt bath for an extra relaxing environment.
Please check with your physician before adding any supplements to your routine. Below, we list four supplements that research has shown may improve endometriosis symptoms. Learn more here.
Vitamin D
Often women with endometriosis also have lower zinc levels, so a supplement may be helpful (25,26).
Adequate levels of zinc are essential for reducing oxidative stress and improving immune system functioning (23). Zinc helps cells communicate with each other effectively to maintain a low level of inflammation in the body.
There are many different forms of magnesium, and we prefer magnesium glycinate because the body easily absorbs it, and it’s less likely to cause stomach upset. Some studies show that taking a magnesium supplement and eating enough magnesium can lower a person’s risk for endometriosis symptoms (18).
The most studied supplement related to endometriosis is polyunsaturated fatty acid, which includes omega-3 and omega-6.
Some studies show that adding an omega-3 supplement can decrease endo lesion size (43,44). Whole-food sources of omega-3, like salmon, hemp seeds, and walnuts, can also be added to your diet.
While these products can be helpful for your at-home self-care routine when symptoms flare, it’s essential to develop a support network of healthcare professionals who understand endometriosis and believe in you. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help reduce pelvic pain by reducing adhesions, restoring blood flow to affected organs, and loosening scar tissue.
We understand it can be exhausting to navigate healthcare, and you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out, and we are here to help.
About Us
Pelvic Health & Wellness was built with you in mind. We practice whole-person, individualized pelvic floor physical therapy in a caring and safe environment. Our therapists specialize in treating pelvic health concerns such as pain, incontinence, prolapse, constipation, and various pregnancy and postpartum related conditions.
We understand that being ready to talk about and address your pelvic floor wellness concerns comes from a place of strength. Our pelvic floor physical therapists are here to support and encourage you on your journey back to pelvic health so you can get back to doing what you love!
If you are ready to take the first step in reclaiming your pelvic health and wellness, contact us today.
