This month’s case study is 35 year old ‘Abigail’ who came to the Clinic with a diagnosis of endometriosis.

I had been suffering with painful periods from the age of 30 and they had become increasingly debilitating. Having relied on painkillers, which I think I was becoming resistant to, I thought it was time to seek help. I suppose I was putting off going to my GP because I was scared of what the outcome would be. He talked me through the options and recommended that I get referred to a gynaecologist for further investigation.

My appointment came through fairly quickly and when I saw the gynaecologist he recommended I have a procedure called a laparoscopy – an exploratory procedure to look at my ovaries and womb to see what, if anything, was causing my painful periods. I was very nervous because I hated going to hospital, but I had got to the point where I needed to find out why I was in so much pain. After the procedure the gynaecologist diagnosed endometriosis, (a condition where the womb lining migrates and grows outside of the womb). He said it was quite advanced and I had patches of endometriosis growing over my ovaries and around my bowel, which is why I would also experience pain with a bowel movement. During the laparoscopy, the gynaecologist removed the patches of endometriosis with a laser which would stop the pain, but he explained that this was not a guarantee that it would not grow back.

 

The first three periods after my operation were relatively pain free, which was amazing. But after that the pain returned, albeit less intense. I decided to research into endometriosis to see if there was anything I could do to support myself. I had heard that complementary therapies could be useful. I looked on the internet and came across the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic, which specialises in women’s conditions and endometriosis was one of them. I decided to download an ‘e-book’ on endometriosis. It was very useful as it explained what the condition is, how it can develop and both the medical and natural treatments available. Although the e-book was helpful, I knew I needed some more help so I called the number at the back to find out more about having a consultation.

 

I spoke to a very helpful receptionist at the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic who explained how the clinic worked and what I could expect from my first session with one of the nutritionists. It sounded exactly what I was looking for, so I went ahead and booked a consultation. I was sent a comprehensive questionnaire to complete and return before my consultation, which allowed me to write down what my main health concerns were, symptoms I was experiencing and my diet! After I had completed this I was appalled at how much alcohol I was consuming over the two days. (I thought it was better to be honest than to write down what the nutritionist wanted to hear!)

 

I met with the nutritionist 2 weeks later and we went through the questionnaire in detail together. I felt very encouraged by this because no one had ever taken so much interest in me and ‘my condition’. The nutritionist explained that endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the womb (the endometrium) implants and grows outside the womb itself. These endometrial implants can grow in the pelvis, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel and bladder. More uncommonly, they can also crop up in the lung, heart, eye, armpit or knee. Wherever it grows, the womb lining responds to the natural hormone cycle and bleeds every time a period occurs. When women bleed normally throughout menstruation, blood leaves the body through the vagina. However, in the case of endometriosis the blood has no outlet and becomes trapped in the tissue, causing pain, inflammation, cysts and scar tissue.

 

Endometriosis is stimulated by excess oestrogen, so one of the main dietary principles is to keep this hormone under control. Oestrogen is found in meat, dairy products and the water supply and even in preservatives that are routinely put into our everyday skin creams and shampoos. Our liver is the organ that helps controls levels of oestrogen by detoxifying the hormone and ensuring elimination, so it’s important that it is functioning well. Liver function can be compromised by alcohol and caffeine, preservatives in our diet and taking drugs (painkillers etc). The nutritionist explained that we are more exposed to these ‘xenoestrogens’ (foreign oestrogens) than ever before because of the way our food is processed, pollution and increased use of chemicals.

 

The pain associated with the endometriosis is due to inflammation, so cutting out foods that are pro-inflammatory (causing inflammation) and eating plenty of foods that are anti-inflammatory was recommended. Pro-inflammatory foods include red meat and dairy products and anti-inflammatory include oily fish, nuts and seeds and avocados. I had been drinking a lot of milk and I loved cheese, but the nutritionist gave me plenty of alternative options. It was recommended that I eat a daily serving of dark leafy green vegetables because of the mineral magnesium, which is a natural muscle relaxant and has been shown to reduce cramps and spasms associated with endometriosis.    

 

To support the liver I was advised to cut back on my caffeine (I was drinking 3-4 cups of strong coffee daily), alcohol and processed foods – which can be a strain for the liver to process, which in turn reduces its ability to process the extra oestrogen that my body has to deal with. She explained that some food/drinks can naturally have a supportive effect on the liver. Broccoli and brussel sprouts are particularly useful because of a compound within them that promotes oestrogen detoxification. She also recommended I drink nettle and dandelion tea, which are good for the liver.

 

The nutritionist also explained to me the importance of using natural skin and hair products because they can contain ‘parabens’, which are synthetic preservatives that have been linked to oestrogen related breast cancer and may also be linked to endometriosis. She recommended specific brands, which made it easier than trawling through the shops!

 

I was also advised to take some specific nutritional supplements to address the high oestrogen, using a combination of herbs and liver support. I also took natural anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil, ginger and magnesium, which was just amazing for the cramps! It is often known as ‘nature’s tranquilliser’ and this certainly was the case!

 

I booked a follow up consultation for 8 weeks time so the nutritionist could see how I was getting on. She decided on 8 weeks because I would have had 2 periods in that time and we could get a better idea of how I was getting on with the programme. I kept a food and symptom diary and even with my first period, I definitely had less pain. I only had to take 1 painkiller where I would usually take at least 6 over the duration of my period. By my second period I had virtually no symptoms! It was amazing. Not only had my menstrual symptoms disappeared I generally felt I had more energy, clearer skin and had lost weight, which wasn’t intentional but was certainly appreciated! The nutritionist did say it was a good thing that I had lost the weight because fat cells produce oestrogen.

 

Six months on and my diet consists mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables, some organic poultry, fish, beans, nuts and seeds, brown rice and oats. I also largely avoid dairy and wheat, which I really feel has helped enormously. I am disciplined with my diet but do have occasional lapses, which the nutritionist said was ‘ok’ every so often! But the truth of it is I actually don’t enjoy eating or drinking those foods when I do have them.  

 

I am so pleased that I decided to book the consultation and I feel so much more in control of my endometriosis, because I understand the condition. This is what I found frustrating about my gynaecologist – there was no explanation and I found it quite depressing to think my only option was surgery. The nutritionist did recommend that I go back to my gynaecologist in another 6 months to review, because endometriosis can ‘grow’ back, but with the change of diet she hoped this would not be the case or at least it would slow it down. All I can say is thank you so much to my nutritionist and all the team at The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic for their help and support.  

 

 

  

Marilyn’s Comment

 

This is a wonderful case of how powerful nutrition can be in dealing with hormone imbalance. It is not just endometriosis that can be supported with nutrition, but fibroids and PCOS too, which are also hormonally driven. Unfortunately we’re seeing so many more cases, especially in young women. It is important to always have painful periods checked by a medical practitioner for a diagnosis. With the case of Abigail her endometriosis was at a severe stage and required surgery, but if it is less aggressive, it may be that you have a 6 month ‘window’ to really focus on the nutritional approach rather than going down the medical route straight away. 

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics and the products mentioned, then please see the Resources Page.

This month’s case study is 32 year old ‘Katy’ who came to the Clinic with painful periods

I started having my periods at the age of 12 and I have suffered with severe pain ever since. My mum took me to the doctor when I was about 15 and he put me on the Pill. At the time it was great because I went from being totally incapacitated for 2 days every month to being ‘normal’. I came off the Pill in my late twenties because I knew it was not good to be on long term. The pain seemed to be even worse having come off it. Each month I would be in so much pain that I would often be sick and faint. Although my work colleagues were very supportive, it was difficult if I was in an unfamiliar situation.

I went back to my doctor and he suggested I try a different type of Pill, so I said I wanted to explore other options. He sent me away with a prescription for mefenamic acid – a very strong painkiller. I was reluctant to take it but went off to get a supply as an emergency. I searched for ‘painful periods’ on the internet and came across a really interesting site by Dr Marilyn Glenville. The site explained how nutrition can be helpful for the treatment of painful periods. I downloaded an ‘e-book’ on ‘Understanding Painful Periods’, which I read and found very useful.

 

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic because I decided that I needed more support from an expert rather than trying to help myself and struggle on my own. I spoke to a very helpful receptionist who talked me through the consultation process and what I would get out of my initial appointment. She sent me a questionnaire to complete and return for the nutritionist to review before meeting me. I had to fill in a two day diet diary, which was interesting because it made me write down everything I was eating and drinking – it was quite an eye opener. I thought it best to be honest rather than write down what the nutritionist wanted to hear!

 

Before my first consultation it was recommended that I perform a Hair Mineral Analysis to identify any mineral deficiencies. This was really straightforward because all it involved was taking a sample of my hair and sending it off to the laboratory for analysis and the results would be back in time for my consultation.

 

The nutritionist went through my questionnaire with me and asked about my painful periods – how long they had been painful, what medical investigations had I had and any drugs I was taking. It felt very thorough and she was really taking time to understand my symptoms (rather than having a rushed 5 minutes with my GP).

 

She explained that pain is usually a warning signal from your body, so it is important that the pain is investigated. She asked whether my doctor had referred me to a gynaecologist. I explained that he had never mentioned this, even when I had shown concern that I may have a condition like endometriosis. The nutritionist suggested that I follow this programme for 3-6 months and if there was no improvement I should ask my doctor to refer me for further investigation.

 

The nutritionist did say, however, that period pains can be unusual in that there may actually be nothing medically wrong – they can simply be an abnormal functioning of your body around the time of your period. This is pretty good news because it means that if you can get things back into balance, you’ll not only get rid of the pain but you’ll prevent it from returning. The natural approach aims to treat the condition, not simply mask the pain or ‘turn off’ your cycle. Furthermore, if you work to put your body back into balance all aspects of health and well-being will be improved.

 

The results of my Hair Mineral Analysis identified low levels of zinc and magnesium. The nutritionist explained that magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant and it has been shown to have a beneficial effect on painful periods and lower back pain. Magnesium also has the ability to lower the ‘bad’ prostaglandins (hormone-type substances that can cause inflammation) that may be causing the womb to over-contract. Zinc is important for eliminating pain because it is needed for the proper conversion of essential fatty acids into ‘good’ (anti-inflammatory) prostaglandins.

 

The nutritionist went through my diet in depth with me. She was concerned that I didn’t eat enough fresh vegetables and fish and relied too heavily on processed meals and sugar! I had never really enjoyed cooking and I suppose I used this as an excuse. She said that I didn’t need to always cook from scratch and spend time in the kitchen – there are always short cuts! She explained that some foods like red meat, dairy and sugar can actually be pro-inflammatory (cause inflammation) which triggers the painful periods, and some foods can be anti-inflammatory (calm inflammation) like oily fish, nuts, seeds and dark green leafy vegetables. Luckily, I do enjoy these foods – I just never really ate them! She said that I could eat tinned fish to make my life easier, and sardines and mackerel in particular are rich in the anti-inflammatory omega 3 oils. Dark green vegetables, including salad leaves (watercress and rocket) are rich in magnesium, which is a natural muscle relaxant so helps with the cramps I was experiencing.

 

The nutritionist explained that when the body is out of balance, and has been for some time, diet alone is not always sufficient. She recommended that I give my body extra support with nutritional supplements. She put together a tailor-made plan that incorporated a good multi vitamin and mineral as a ‘foundation’, then added to this extra vitamin B complex, magnesium, high strength fish oil and zinc. She explained that the B Vitamins are needed to help produce ‘good’ prostaglandins, which help to relax and widen blood vessels (as opposed to ‘bad’ prostaglandins, which increase the womb contractions and increase the pain). The B vitamins have been shown to significantly reduce the intensity and duration of period pains.

 

The nutritionist told me that taking EFAs (essential fatty acids) in supplement form is extremely important in the treatment of painful periods. Research has shown that women with low intakes of omega 3 fatty acids have more painful periods than women who have a good intake.

 

I booked a follow up consultation for 8 weeks later so the nutritionist could assess me after two menstrual cycles. The first period my pain was definitely less intense and on my second cycle there was a remarkable difference. The intensity and frequency of pain was much less. I didn’t need to take any time off work – which was amazing – and I felt normal the whole cycle! I didn’t have to take any painkillers at all, which was brilliant.

 

I am now 6 months on from seeing the nutritionist and I have kept up with eating well and taking the supplements. I can’t thank the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic enough for their support and encouragement in getting me to better health. My life is transformed and I am now in control of my period rather than the other way around! The best thing about it is that I no longer have to plan my life around my period!

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

Katy’s story is a great example of how powerful nutrition can be in actually addressing the underlying cause, rather than just treating the symptoms. With a change of diet and taking specific, good quality, nutritional supplements Katy has not needed to take strong painkillers and she can lead a normal life – whereas before she was losing at least 2 days each month to her painful periods.

 

As the nutritionist stressed in the consultation, sometimes pain can be due to an underlying medical condition, so it is always important to be vigilant and further medical investigation is sometimes needed. Although Katy noticed improvement within one menstrual cycle, it can take up to 6 months to correct the balance. Nutrition can take longer to take effect and change hormone balance compared to conventional drugs but the benefit is longer lasting.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics and the products mentioned, then please see the resources page.

This month’s case study is 33 year old ‘Katy’ who came to the clinic with painful breasts

Every month during the week before my period, my breasts would become swollen and very lumpy. This had started during my late twenties. They were extremely tender to touch and even rolling over in bed would be uncomfortable. I had become quite concerned about the lumps and went to see a doctor for an ultrasound scan who reassured me they were benign (non cancerous) but suggested that I could have them drained if they continued to be troublesome. I felt scared by this because I didn’t like the thought of having to go to hospital. The other option my doctor offered was to take the Pill to ‘balance’ my hormones but I was reluctant because of potential side effects.

 

One of my friends who was training to become a nutritional therapist told me that changing my diet and taking supplements could help with breast tenderness. She recommended that I check out The Dr Marilyn Glenville Website. I did this straight away and downloaded an e-book on ‘Understanding Breast Problems’. This was so useful and by the time I read it I had a better understanding of why some women suffer with lumpy, painful breasts. It felt very reassuring that other women suffered and I was not alone. After I had read the ‘e-book’ I decided to phone the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic because I felt that I would benefit more from having a one to one consultation with a nutritionist. I knew this would motivate me more to change my diet and it would be more supportive for me.

 

I spoke to a helpful receptionist who, before booking my first appointment suggested I speak to one of the nutritionists to see if there was anything I needed to do before coming to the clinic. When I had a chat with the nutritionist she suggested that I perform a ‘Female Hormone Profile’, which was an assessment using saliva, of my hormones throughout my menstrual cycle. The great thing about this was that I could do it from home! She explained that this would tell me if I had any hormone imbalance as this can cause lumpy breasts. The test took me a month to complete, because it covered the whole cycle, which I didn’t mind because at least it would give the nutritionist more information about me at the first consultation. A nutritional questionnaire was also posted to me, which I had to complete before my consultation and the kit for the ‘Female Hormone Profile’ arrived a couple of days later.

 

I met with the nutritionist about 6 weeks later (to ensure that my results were back in time) and she went through my questionnaire and my test results. Interestingly the results indicated that I had excess levels of progesterone, which is the hormone that is high during pregnancy, and this is a time when women can also experience tender, lumpy breasts. It was great to see that there was something out of balance and to see it right in front of me. The nutritionist explained that we could use a combination of dietary modification, nutritional supplements and herbs to address the imbalance. With hormone excess and trying to control this, she explained that it was essential to also support the digestive system and liver to ensure good detoxification and excretion of the hormones out of the body.

 

My diet on the whole was OK, as I try to cook from scratch and was conscious of eating my fresh fruit and vegetables. However, I knew I drank too much tea – 6-8 cups a day!! On one hand it was to get me through the day to keep my energy up, but also I really enjoyed it! The nutritionist explained that tea not only contains caffeine and tannin, which can inhibit mineral absorption, but it contains compounds called methylxanthines. Methylxanthines are substances that are found in black tea, green tea, chocolate and even decaffeinated tea which can increase breast discomfort. She said that not all women are sensitive to these compounds but if they are they really need to be avoided altogether and not just in the week leading up to the period! She recommended an herbal tea substitute called Redbush or Rooibos which is naturally caffeine free and contains very little tannin and no methylxanthines.

 

She also said that I needed to increase my intake of fibre from wholegrains and flaxseed because this would help my body to get rid of the excess of hormones. My bowels were sluggish and she explained that this was not healthy because if you are not opening the bowels on a daily basis, hormones can get reabsorbed back into the body and that can create more imbalance.

 

The nutritionist also talked about foods that can cause inflammation because lumpy breasts can be a sign of inflammation. The saturated fats from meat, chocolate and dairy products are pro-inflammatory (cause inflammation) and the fats from oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocados are anti-inflammatory.  I rarely ate oily fish because of the smell cooking it – and I supposed I did eat too much cheese!! She suggested that I use tin sardines and salmon if I wasn’t keen on cooking them as they were just as nutritious and a lot more convenient! She gave me a menu planner for additional meal suggestions which was really helpful.

 

After we went through my diet in depth the nutritionist talked about nutritional supplements and herbs that can be a useful addition. She recommended I take a good general multi-vitamin and mineral, a vitamin B complex to help my liver detoxify the excess hormones, and fish oil. The fish oil was a potent omega 3 supplement to really help calm the inflammation. Finally she recommended some herbs to help rebalance my progesterone.

 

By the end of my first consultation I was raring to go and put the recommendations into place! The nutritionist ordered my supplements for me and they were posted out to me (and arrived the next day) which saved me the hassle of trying to find them!!  I went food shopping and stocked up on Rooibos tea, nuts and seeds and tinned fish!

 

It was recommended that I book my follow up consultation for 8 weeks so I could have 2 periods to see if there was an improvement as she explained it can take this length of time or sometimes longer to balance our hormones. The nutritionist gave me a detailed diet diary to fill in over the next 8 weeks. This was to help me keep on track of what I was eating but also to help monitor my symptoms.

 

It was quite extraordinary – my period came without me realising!! In just a month of cutting the tea out and generally improving my diet, my breasts were not lumpy or tender! It was amazing and in such a short space of time. I was prepared for it taking longer as the nutritionist had explained, so it was brilliant to see improvement this early on.

 

I had my follow up consultation and again I had been symptom free in my last period! The nutritionist was so pleased with me and really encouraging and suggested that I continue with everything for at least another 8 weeks and then review again. She explained that although some of the supplements and herbs were only for the short to medium term, the diet is more of a life change. 

 

I am so pleased that I finally contacted the Dr Marilyn Glenville clinic although in hindsight I should have done this 5 years ago! I’m telling all my friends and colleagues now about nutrition and just how powerful it has been for me. I will never go back to drinking tea and I’m much more aware of what I’m putting in my body.

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

This is a wonderful case where Katy benefited in a short space of time from changing her diet. Sometimes it can take longer to address underlying hormone imbalances but there is often no black and white answer in regards to how long it will take. The main thing is to keep focused and be supported by a nutritionist and understand that sometimes it can take longer, but it is better to address the underlying cause rather than taking something like the Pill which only masks what is actually going on.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics and the test mentioned, then please see the Resources Page.