How to Sleep With Endometriosis Pain?

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease in women caused by the implantation of active endometrial cells outside the endometrium. Endometrial cells should have grown in the uterus cavity. Still, due to the connection between the uterine cavity and the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes, endometrial cells can enter the pelvic cavity for ectopic growth through the fallopian tubes.

Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis. Endometriosis mainly causes abdominal pain in two stages:

1. Dysmenorrhea, which refers to pain during menstruation. It generally manifests as abdominal pain throughout the entire menstrual period. The specificity of this pain is that it will worsen yearly, and it is called progressive dysmenorrhea in medical practice. This is caused by endometriosis, especially endometriosis that invades the sacral ligament. Patients will feel apparent and severe pain.

2. Pain caused by endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs in the ovaries, where a cyst ruptures, and the fluid inside the cyst flows into the abdominal cavity. The fluid can stimulate the peritoneum and the abdominal cavity, causing severe pain that is intolerable for patients. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and even the sensation of anal distension.

Patients with mild endometriosis may experience tolerable pain. When it turns to moderate endometriosis, pain caused by it may affect sleep. Pain in severe cases may be unbearable.

If patients with endometriosis experience pain that prevents them from falling asleep, they can alleviate the pain and help them fall asleep by:

1. Applying a hot compress and drinking plenty of hot drinks. When endometriosis causes pain, patients can rest in bed and apply hot steam or a hot water bag to their abdomen or back, which can partially alleviate the discomfort, or women can drink more hot drinks.

2. Exercising to relieve pain. Regular physical exercise can reduce estrogen levels and may delay the growth of endometriosis. Moreover, exercise can also promote the production of endorphins in the body, which is natural painkillers. However, it should be noted that mild exercise, such as walking, jogging, etc., should be taken to avoid high-intensity exercise pulling on healing and scar tissue.

3. Performing massage with fingers. Patients can use their fingers to massage two acupoints on their bodies to relieve pain. One of the two acupoints is located on the inner side of the leg, about 5 centimeters above the ankle bone. The second is the bottom of the "v" shape formed by the thumb and index finger. Patients should use as much force as possible when pressing to achieve a good effect.

4. Taking more vitamins and eating fish containing n-3 fatty acids daily. Vitamins can assist in hormonal balance and strengthen immunity, such as consuming legumes that have a large amount of vitamin E. In addition, saury and some deep-sea fish contain 11-3 fatty acids, which can inhibit the production of prostaglandins. It is a natural anti-prostaglandin medicine, and intake of it is good for body health.

5. Pelvic floor therapy. Pelvic floor physiotherapists help patients learn how to relax these muscles through various physiotherapy methods, such as stretching, breathing exercises, and vaginal sphincter massage. Now many physiotherapists will combine these methods with drug therapy to better alleviate pain in the pelvis, lower back, and buttocks caused by endometriosis.

Surgical treatment is necessary if endometriosis is extremely severe and cannot be tolerated or alleviated. Semi-radical surgery can be performed to preserve ovarian function. If the symptoms are severe or there are no reproductive requirements, a hysterectomy or double appendectomy can be performed to clear the lesion and achieve a curative effect.

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