Can Stress increase endometriosis pain?

[KarenlovesKermit]

[Kaye_Sedgwick]

In my opinion, absolutely.

My doctors also agree. When I am stressed, my body reacts badly (always has) and symptoms generally increase and or worsen.

For example, I was REALLY stressed last week (practically to tears) and half of the time I was bent double in pain, so much so, that on Sunday my friend surprised me with a day spa and told me to go and relax and switch off.

I was very grateful and did manage totally relax. Managed some mediation, napped throughout the day, did some gentle exercise and today, my pain has almost all gone, my tiredness levels are better and I feel like me again.

It is so important to find time to de-stress. I do find, it helps me immensely.

I also find it can reduce some levels of pain with Endo. Gentle exercise and relaxation techniques aid the release of endorphins (natural painkillers) which also strengthen the immune system.

I can recommend, light, gentle exercise like yoga, body balance, ti-chi; and if you can, mediation, deep breathing and stretching to calm body and mind.

Hope this helps xxx

[Embo]

Yes, it does with me as well.

I'm on the pill for my endometriosis, and stress triggers the pain and breakthrough bleeding. I'm actually in the final year of my degree, a very stressful time, and my body is going a little crazy. I'm very prone to stress, but with endometriosis it seems to be a vicious cycle.

I've heard acupuncture can be very good for stress and relaxation, and I'm planning on giving it a go over the Easter holidays. I've found a multibed clinic where they give cheaper treatments.

There's an A-Z of acupuncture research into various things on the British Acupuncture Council website, including anxiety, chronic pain, dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, female fertility, post-op pain, PMS, stress, etc...

acupuncture.org.uk

I'll let you know how it goes when I try it out!

xxx

[BelfastRach]

Yep stress causes mine to flare up aswell. Exercise helps (although when your in so much pain its the last thing u feel like doin) because endorphins are a natural pain reliever and the added benefit is it reduces stress. I'm going to try yoga this week, read somewhere this is good for endo and it's also very low impact so it won't make the pain any worse.

[KarenlovesKermit]

Thank you so much everyone xx