The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens Episode 47: Exploring, Understanding, and Treating Endometriosis in Teen Girls
My guest this week is Dr. Jessica Drummond, the Founder, and CEO of the Integrative Women’s Health Institute who is passionate about caring for and empowering women who struggle with women’s pelvic health conditions. She is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians in confidently and safely using integrative tools to transform women’s and pelvic healthcare. Dr. Drummonds has two decades of experience in women’s and pelvic health as a physical therapist and functional nutritionist. Owning a private women’s health clinical nutrition and coaching practice gives her a unique perspective on the integrative, conservative options for pelvic pain management, hormone balance, pre-conception and fertility support, postpartum recovery, and chronic pain and fatigue management in active and athletic women. She regularly lectures on topics such as integrative pelvic pain management, natural fertility options, optimal hormone health, female athletes, and functional and integrative nutrition for rehabilitation, nutrition, wellness, fitness, and medical professionals.
In this episode, Dr. Drummond and I discuss the common issue of endometriosis in teen girls and help parents understand how they can address and treat this disease. Preteen, teen and young women who suffer from endometriosis most commonly show symptoms of severely painful menstrual cramps. Coping with this pain and commonly dealing with inflammatory imbalances within the gut and digestive system can result in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. To learn more about Dr. Jessica Drummond click here.
Episode Highlights
What is Endometriosis?
- A disease state where cells grow outside the lining of the uterus and outside of the uterus in general
- There is a genetic component to endometriosis and an inflammatory component
Diagnosis Is Surgical
- Diagnosis for endometriosis is surgical
- Sometimes it can be seen on imaging but imaging does not rule it out
- It is important to have someone well-versed in endometriosis before having a laparoscopy as endometriosis can be found in surprising places and can be missed
Symptoms
- Severe period pain that is so severe that school or work is missed
- 1 in 10 women and girls has endometriosis
- Young girls who have yet to menstruate may show symptoms through: stomach aches, digestive complaints, anxiety, and depression due to an imbalance in the gut
Functional Nutrition for Healing
- An anti-inflammatory plan that feeds a healthy gut microbiome and nourishes a healthy brain
- Lots of vegetables, 8-10 servings per day
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- Sometimes this must be approached slowly depending on the state of the gut and intestines, i.e. whether the patient is also dealing with SIBO or dysbiosis of the small/large intestine
- Gut bacteria play a huge role due here in the gut-brain connection as it signals pain and affects anxiety and depression
- Fiber, prebiotics, healthy fats, proteins and therapeutic doses of turmeric
- Hydration is key, as well as, avoiding processed foods, sugar, trans fats
Where to learn more about Dr. Jessica Drummond...
- The Integrative Women's Health Institute
- Dr. Drummond’s Book: Outsmart Endometriosis
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