What is Adenomyosis?

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. This abnormal growth of endometrial cells thickens the uterine wall, making it bulky and causes heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle.

Since the menstrual blood due to abnormal endometrial tissue in adenomyosis happens straight into the uterine muscle, it can lead to lot of discomfort and painful period.

Over the time, this abnormal blood builds up in the uterine muscle and causes swelling, irritation, and cyst formation.

Adenomyosis growths can happen in multiple areas, a condition termed as diffuse adenomyosis (which mostly happens in the advanced stages). Or one may have the growth in a single area, known as focal adenomyosis (usually in the earlier stages).

Adenomyosis Symptoms

Common adenomyosis symptoms include heavy periods, menstrual cramp, pain with sexual intercourse, and a feeling of a bulky and enlarged uterus. Adenomyosis patient often experience prolonged chronic pelvic pain which continues through all stages of the cycle.

Adenomyosis is an estrogen dependent condition, so many treatments focus on reducing excess estrogen levels.

Importance of Diet to cure Adenomyosis without surgery

If you are suffering from adenomyosis, a hysterectomy is not your only option. Ayurveda offers effective natural treatment for adenomyosis. In Ayurvedic treatment, your diet plays an important role to prevent and remove adenomyosis from the body along with herbal medicines.

By following a healthy diet, women with adenomyosis can help to improve their symptoms, reduce the size of the abnormal growths and prevent further progression of the condition. Specifically in the initial stages, your diet can really help to prevent and treat adenomyosis at the root cause level.

For later stages of adenomyosis involving extensive growth, your diet will not only help to reduce the pain but it will also help to save you from health complications of adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis diet should be rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to balance the hormones, boost fertility and reduce inflammation in the body. A healthy diet chart can go a long way to prevent progression of adenomyosis, provide relief from painful symptoms and naturally treat the condition.

Best Foods for Adenomyosis Diet

Ayurvedic doctors recommend a diet that consists of freshly prepared meals made from wholesome natural ingredients such as vegetables, whole grains, beans and greens.

• Omega 3 Fats: Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as seeds, nuts, healthy oils and fatty fish such as salmon and other cold-water fish, are particularly beneficial for pain relief. These fatty acids help to balance the hormones, stop the growth of adenomyosis and help with pelvic pain during menstruation.
• Anti-inflammatory Foods: Foods such as leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are all excellent anti-inflammatory foods that can help to improve chronic pain, menstrual pain, and pain during sexual intercourse
• Foods rich in vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are known to contribute to the development of adenomyosis. Foods such as oranges, grapefruits, kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are all excellent sources of vitamin C.
• Foods rich in iron: Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. A lack of iron can lead to anemia, which can make the symptoms of adenomyosis worse. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds are all good sources of iron.
• Foods rich in magnesium: Magnesium is a mineral that has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including the ability to reduce inflammation. Foods such as banana, pumpkin seeds and quinoa are all excellent sources of magnesium.
• In addition to an anti-inflammatory diet, it is important to stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins and can help to reduce bloating.
• Herbal teas, such as chamomile and ginger tea, can also be helpful in reducing inflammation.
• In addition, certain herbs and spices such as turmeric, mint, dandelion and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce pain and discomfort.

Foods that make Adenomyosis worse

There are certain foods that can make adenomyosis worse. These include, but are not limited to, processed foods, sugar, saturated fat, and alcohol.

• Processed foods are high in salt and sugar, which can lead to inflammation. In addition, processed foods often contain lot of chemicals that mimic the function of estrogen in the body.
• Sugar can also cause inflammation, and it can also feed the growth of abnormal tissue. Sugar can also feed the growth of yeast in the body, which can lead to further irritation.
• Saturated fat is known to increase inflammation throughout the body. This can worsen the symptoms of adenomyosis and may even lead to further progression of the condition. Saturated fat is found in animal products, such as red meat, pork, and dairy. It is also found in processed foods, such as cookies, cakes, and chips.
• Alcohol is also a trigger for inflammation. It is also disturbs the health of the liver and affects the functioning of endocrine glands. So, if you are suffering from adenomyosis, it is best to avoid and limit your alcohol consumption.
• Caffeine can also make adenomyosis worse. It is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration, which can then trigger inflammation.
• Red meats are also a trigger food. They are high in saturated fat and can cause inflammation. In addition, they are often difficult to digest, which can also lead to inflammation.
• Unhealthy oils and refined fats as margarine , canola oil and soybean oil can make adenomyosis worse.
• Dairy products such as cheese, condensed milk and sweetened yogurts are one of the biggest triggers for adenomyosis. They are heavily processed and can cause inflammation. In addition, they contain hormones that can further disrupt the delicate balance in the body.
• Gluten is a protein found in wheat , rye, and barley. It can be difficult to digest and can cause inflammation. In addition, gluten is often found in processed foods, which can also trigger adenomyosis symptoms.
• Food additives such as MSG, a flavor enhancer that is often added to processed foods. It is an excitotoxin that can overstimulate the cells and lead to inflammation. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is often used in diet drinks and foods. It is a neurotoxin that can cause inflammation and may even trigger an autoimmune reaction. Sodium nitrite is a preservative that is often added to processed meats, such as bacon and lunch meat. It is a known carcinogen and can also cause inflammation.

By avoiding trigger foods and eating plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, you can help to reduce the symptoms of adenomyosis and even prevent the condition from worsening.

Adenomyosis Diet Chart

Here is an example of an anti-inflammatory diet that can help to reduce the symptoms of adenomyosis:

Macro nutrient Proportions

30% Meal Portion should be Fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods.

30% Meal Portion should be Complex Carbs as Whole grains, cereals, and starch-based food products

30% Meal Portion should be Lean proteins such as lentils, beans, fermented soy products

10% Meal Portion should be Healthy Fats

Breakfast

1. Omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and onions
2. Oatmeal with nuts and dried fruits
3. Organic yogurt with berries and flaxseed
4. Smoothie with greens, herbs, banana, and honey
5. Scrambled Eggs with Herb muffins

Lunch

1. Salad with greens, avocado, and grilled chicken
2. Soup with lentils, kale, and quinoa
3. Sandwich with hummus, cucumber, and tomato on whole grain bread
4. Brown Rice with Greens Stir-fry and Lentils soup
5. Fried Rice with vegetables and curd

Dinner

1. Grilled salmon with steamed broccoli and brown rice
2. Roasted Brussels sprouts with roasted sweet potato and grilled chicken
3. Vegetarian chili with black beans, tomatoes, and onions
4. Thai green Curry with Brown Rice
5. Miso Soup with Jasmine Rice

Healthy Snacks for Adenomyosis Diet

Add on these healthy snacks in between your meals should you need to. It will help you to keep you your hunger levels in check while supporting hormone balance:

• Roasted Black Gram
• Nuts and dried fruits (limited amount)
• Sprouts
• Berries
• Handful of sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
• Hummus and fresh vegetables as celery or carrots
• Cucumber slices
• Lemon water or coconut water
• Apple Beets and Celery Juice
• Fresh slices of coconut

As you can see, there are plenty of anti-inflammatory foods that you can eat to help reduce the symptoms of adenomyosis. By following an anti-inflammatory diet, you can help to prevent the condition from worsening and even improve your overall health.

Takeaway

If you suspect that you may be suffering from adenomyosis, it is important to speak with your doctor. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment. In advanced stages of adenomyosis, surgery may be necessary to remove the abnormal tissue. However, in majority of the cases, herbal medicinal supplements, diet and lifestyle changes can help to effectively manage the condition.

Below you can download Adenomyosis Diet Chart pdf version for reference. If you need further support to follow the diet plan or considering Ayurvedic treatment to manage or treat Adenomyosis Naturally, do contact us here, we will help you out.