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Today’s episode is another in the root causes series and I’m talking about the root causes of painful sex with endometriosis. 92% of you voted for this episode, so I’m assuming that if you voted, you likely struggle with this symptom. But having painful sex isn’t just part and parcel of having endometriosis - there are things that can be done, and it begins with identifying why you’re experiencing pain in the first place. Endo is complex and the stress it puts on the body can lead to other conditions and complications developing, so we’re going to explore some of these here. If you can begin identifying even just one root cause, the road ahead to healing pain will become clearer. Again, this is about shining a light on the root causes so you’re no longer in the dark about your health. You don’t have to deal with them all and it’s unlikely you’ll have them all, just begin with one area and take baby steps there. As I’ve mentioned with all these episodes, this list isn’t exhaustive, but it does include some of the most common conditions associated with painful sex and associated with endometriosis. TRIGGER warning: This episode briefly discusses sexual trauma. Vulvodynia - Vulvodynia is a condition of chronic pain in the vulva area, that is usually worsened by sitting, sex, going to the toilet and movement. You may not have the pain all the time, but it is reoccurring, though some can experience the pain constantly. Many report the pain as a burning/stinging/itching/aching/throbbing sensation. Causes can include untreated or resistant infections like candida, nerve hypersensitivity, damage or trauma to the area, pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic inflammation. In the case of developing vulvodynia with endometriosis, I would argue that the amount of inflammation and an upregulated nervous system from years of chronic pain could in time affect the vulva area, as well as having a tight pelvic floor, which is common with endo patients. Vaginismus - Vaginismus is a condition where the vaginal canal involuntarily spasms and closes, usually in response to some kind of penetration, though I’ve spoken to many people with vaginismus and they report this spasming to eventually happen all the time. This is thought to occur as the body’s response to fear of penetration, even if you don’t mentally feel scared. Vaginismus can be caused by multiple issues. It could be that endo has created so much pain internally that your body now has a fear of sex hurting and so essentially closes up shop. Constant painful, traumatic, invasive and embarrassing medical examinations that you may have endured whilst trying to get an endo diagnosis, or following one, may have triggered the onset of vaginismus as well. Uncomfortable or distressing feelings about sex like shame, guilt or trauma can also cause the condition too. Adhesions or distorted fascia - Adhesions are web like scar tissue structures that do not show up on scans as they’re made of collagen. They grow in response to a wound or trauma and attempt to ‘knit’ an area back together, but can often continue to grow and extend, attaching to organs, wrapping around organs and sticking to surfaces. Adhesions are VERY strong and will cause pain and discomfort, and can pull and tug on organs, restricting their movement and even function. Fascia is a thin sheet of tissue which covers the entire body, sits below the skin and encases the muscles, bones and organs. Endo can grow on the fascia and cause puckering in the surface of it, and excisions form surgery can also cause the fascia to pucker from scar tissue. This puckering pulls the fascia out of shape and can distort the fascia across the rest of the body - think of what happens when you pinch a nice neat bed sheet. If you have adhesions or your fascia is tight and distorted, this could result in painful sex. There may be pulling on your vagina or uterus, they may be putting pressure or causing pain on surrounding organs, which could then impact sex as the organs in the pelvic area are so closely packed together. Don’t forget, your bladder sits in front of your uterus and vaginal canal and your bowel sits directly behind. If any of these are tethered to each other and/or the pelvic wall, this could cause a lot of tension, tugging and pain during sex. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - Many people with endometriosis have a tight pelvic floor. Think of your pelvic floor as a bowl made of nerves and muscle and in the bowl sits your bladder, vagina and uterus, and colon. These muscles and nerves help to control the function and sensitivity of these organs. When you live in chronic pain due to endo, these nerves in the pelvis get used to sending out distress signals and receiving pain signals, and over time, the nervous system becomes upregulated and this path of distress becomes the default option for your nerves. They become easily triggered, even by something that wouldn’t normally cause pain. Equally, as your muscles continuously react to chronic pain, they begin to tighten. This tightening occurs to both protect you but also as a result of the positions we often adopt when we’re in pain, like curling into a ball. The tightness causes tension, irritates the nerves and distorts the way the organs are sitting and functioning. Vaginitis - Vaginitis is a sort of blanket term for inflammation and irritation caused by, most commonly, some kind of infection. Symptoms include swelling, itchiness, pain and sometimes unusual discharge or some bleeding. Vaginitis isn’t common within the endo population specifically, but it is common in general. Causes include STIs, candida overgrowth, allergic responses to chemicals in contraception, lubricants, body washes, etc., and changes in hormones. Endo lesions - Endo lesions cause pain, swelling and scar tissue on both the surface their attached to and the surrounding area, and can cause cramping as they shed with the hormone cycle. Endo lesions can be found on the bowel, pouch of Douglas (between the uterus and the bowel) and bladder, amongst of course other areas such as the pelvic cavity and ovaries. These are all very close to vaginal canal, especially if the endo is in the pouch of Douglas, as penetration may be almost directly irritating these endo lesions. Chronic inflammation - Endo is an inflammatory disease. It creates its own inflammation, it uses inflammatory chemicals in its development and growth, and it triggers the immune system to send inflammation to the area. Inflammation causes pain and swelling, and as the endo lesions are chronic, this swelling and pain can spread throughout the pelvis as the body attempts to get our attention. Meaning that even if you’re vaginal canal or surrounding area isn’t directly being affected by endo, you may experience pain there. IBS - Many people with endo experience IBS like symptoms, which can include bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea. All of these can make the abdomen and pelvic area tight, swollen, painful and uncomfortable. Your intestines sit right above your uterus and your colon is right behind the vagina and uterus, so if your intestines are inflamed and swollen, the chances are that these are going to be putting pressure on surrounding organs and the inflammation and pain signals will also likely spread to these as well. Equally, IBS problems cause leaky gut. Leaky gut allows allergens and particles to flow through the gut barrier, causing an immune reaction which releases inflammation into the body. Toxins from infections and problems like SIBO can also pass through the barrier and end up in the pelvic cavity, creating further inflammation. Upregulated nervous system - The brain is designed to protect us from threats. If you have experienced chronic pain, this may have created a loop where the nerves are signalling distress signals to the brain, which then registers with pain to alert us to the problem, inflammation is released but the endo lesions don’t heal, so more distress signals are released and so on. Eventually, over time, this becomes your nervous system’s default pattern - it associates the pelvic areas with danger. This is made worse if you’re experiencing chronic stress or acute moments of stress, if you feel unsafe in your body, your home or with your sexual partner. This stress is telling the brain it’s right to feel unsafe and the danger signals are heightened. Of course, if you’ve experienced sexual trauma this is likely to have had an impact on your brain’s perception of safety in your pelvis and pain may be the brain’s way of alerting you to that trauma, whether past or present. Scroll to my show notes to learn more about diagnosing these conditions or getting help identifying these issues, and for references and further reading/listening. Listen and subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, listen directly/download MP3 here or just listen below! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or sign up to my newsletter. This episode is sponsored by my free guide ‘A Natural Pain Relief Tool Kit for Endometriosis’. This four page guide includes evidence based and effective remedies which you can use at home to reduce your pain with endo. Download your copy here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine Health, the anti-inflammatory, plant-based pain relieving supplement. Now priced at $28.99 for subscription. Shop here. Show Notes Vulvodynia National Vulvodynia Association Functional Nutrition Treatment of Vulvodynia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Depression: A Case Report NHS vulvodynia page An Integrative Approach to Healing Vulvodynia w/Hannah Matluck of the V Hive The Changing Landscape of Sexual Health In Medicine w/Dr. Heather Quaile Vaginismus Vaginismus And The Overlaps Between Pelvic Pain Conditions With Shelby Hadden of Tightly Wound Self-Love And Reclaiming Womanhood With Oliwia Drzymuchowska Of Womanology The Vaginismus Network NHS vaginismus Adhesions and distorted fascia The Healthy Gut Podcast Ep.25: Adhesions And SIBO With Larry And Belinda Wurn The Healthy Gut Podcast Ep.33: Visceral Mobilisation With Alyssa Tait The Period Party Podcast: Mercier Therapy for Conditions with Dr. Jennifer Mercier The Best Surgery for Endometriosis with Dr. Andrew Cook Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Equal Treatment for Black Endometriosis Patients and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Painful Sex, Interstitial Cystitis and Endometriosis with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin Your Brain on Pain - How Your Nervous System Affects Interstitial Cystitis and Endo Pain with Dr. Nicole Cozean Pelvic Floor Therapy for Endometriosis with Heba Shaheed of The Pelvic Expert Vaginitis NHS vaginitis Endo lesions The Best Surgery for Endometriosis with Dr. Andrew Cook Six Tips for Reducing Endometriosis Pain in The Week Before Your Period Inflammation Outsmart Endometriosis: The Elimination 'Undiet' for Endometriosis with Dr Jessica Drummond Antioxidants for Endometriosis Anti-inflammatory Living for Endometriosis What is The Endometriosis Diet with Henrietta Norton of Wild Nutrition IBS Dr. Ruscio How To Heal Leaky Gut Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 1 Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 2 Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 3: SIBO Symptoms “Leaky Gut” and Pelvic Pain Dr. Jessica Drummond The SIBO, Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Connection wth Dr. Allison Siebecker How To Treat SIBO with Dr Allison Siebecker How Do You Know When to Test for SIBO? How to Test for SIBO at Home Upregulated Nervous System Your Brain on Pain - How Your Nervous System Affects Interstitial Cystitis and Endo Pain with Dr. Nicole Cozean Taking An Integrative Approach to Endometriosis with Jessica Drummond of The IWHI Anti-inflammatory Living for Endometriosis Healing Endometriosis-Associated Dyspareunia and Rediscovering Pleasure with Elena of The Yoni Empire Communication, Relationships and Endometriosis with Melanie Cox Endometriosis and Energy Healing with Aubree Deimler of Peace with Endo
In this episode of Truth Serum we debunk the myths around self-healing, medications and disease. Melissa interviews, Aubree Deimler, who is an author, coach and energy healer who helps empowered women with endometriosis who want to manage pain through natural methods, increase energy, and find peace with endo. Aubree is the founder of Peace with Endo and has written several books on healing Endometriosis naturally. Peace with Endo: https://peacewithendo.com/ Join the 5 Day Manifesting challenge: https://intuitiveintelligenceacademy.com/quantum-miracles-challenge --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intuitive-intelligence/message
After spending years in school pursuing degrees in Political Science and Business Administration, Aubree Deimler eventually fell upon her true passion...health and wellness. This stemmed from her official diagnosis of endometriosis at 29 years old. This painful, chronic condition spurred her inner researcher to find a solution. Rather than follow the conventional suggestion of drugs and surgery, she took an alternative road on a journey of whole healing - on a physical, emotional and spiritual level... and the rest as they say, is history. As her body started to heal, Aubree was inspired to share a message of hope on her blog at peacewithendo.com. She continued her education at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) where she was equipped with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, personalized coaching and preventive health. After graduating from IIN in 2014, her education didn’t stop. She delved more into the energetic and spiritual side of healing and learned how to clear and balance out energy through the chakra system. As an author, coach, and energy healer, Aubree is deeply passionate about wellness and inspiring other women with endometriosis to reconnect with a life filled with love and positive rhythms. She provides education and support for empowered women with endometriosis who want to manage pain through natural methods, increase energy, and find peace with endo. To connect with Aubree further and to learn about upcoming happenings please visit www.peacewithendo.com. Or connect via Social Media: Facebook: [facebook.com/peacewithendo] Twitter: [twitter.com/peacewithendo] Instagram: [instagram.com/peacewithendo] Pinterest: [pinterest.com/peacewithendo]
Welcoming Aubree Deimler to the MNB Podcast!Aubree is an author, coach, and energy healer who specializes in working with women who have endometriosis to naturally manage their pain, increase their energy and find peace with endo. Our conversation focuses on Aubree’s personal journey after being diagnosed with endo in 2011 and how her struggle and experience with it has led her to her current work: helping other women who experience the discomfort and unease of living with endo. As you will hear, Aubree is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the subject. Tune in to hear her take on simple dietary changes that can help symptoms as well as an approach to begin meditation if you are new to the practice.Remember: “You can always pivot back in the right direction through your choices everyday.” - Aubree Deimler If Aubree’s work resonates with you, please do reach out to her via her website (link below). And also, check our her recently published book called the Energetics of Endo, “a journey to uncover deeper meaning behind endometriosis and infertility.” Subscribe: iTunes Listen and subscribe in iTunes:Show memo:Aubree Deimler’s websiteBrain.fmCalmHeadspace Celery juice Photo credit: https://twitter.com/naanstopmusic & http://www.boulderweekly.com/entertainment/music/green-light-for-boulder-band-naan-stop/edit: Photo credit: https://twitter.com/naanstopmusic & http://www.boulderweekly.com/entertainment/music/green-light-for-boulder-band-naan-stop/edit: As always, many thanks for tuning in. I appreciate your feedback and words so do reach out!If this episode was inspiring, made you laugh, or gave you something new to think about, consider sharing it with a friend and/or leaving a review on iTunes. The more the merrier my friends! In the meantime, continue to shine your L I G H T!Permalink
Today's episode is with Aubree Deimler, author, healer and Endometriosis coach over at Peace with Endo. Aubree takes us through her journey on making peace with Endometriosis, living with Hashimoto's and writing her book that just came out in February, Energetics of Endo. Listen in to learn more about her, her journey and tips she has on how to heal from Endometriosis. In today's episode we chat about ... What is endometriosis? Aubree's journey with endo - how she has healed and helped her symptoms How she helps women with endometriosis Healing isn't just physical - it's emotional and spiritual All about her book, Energetics of Endo! Aubree's Links Order Energetics of Endo Peace with Endo Website Aubree's Facebook Aubree's Twitter Aubree's Instagram Aubree's Pinterest Jessie's Links: Instagram Facebook Group Blog
Today I’m speaking to the super inspiring Aubree Deimler, founder of Peace with Endo. Aubree is an Integrative Wellness Coach and helps people worldwide to manage pain, increase energy and find peace with endo. She’s also the best selling author of From Pain to Peace with Endo and has just released her new book, The Energetics of Endo. Aubree’s new book takes us through her endometriosis experiences as she goes from healing on a physical level to healing emotionally and spiritually with endometriosis. In this episode, we discuss some of the spiritual root causes of endometriosis, how energy healing, such as reiki, can play a part in treating endometriosis naturally and how chakra blocks, such as the root and sacral chakras, can affect our reproductive health and our experience of endometriosis. I found this episode absolutely fascinating, and whilst it might seem a bit ‘out there’ to some of us, Aubree’s experiences really resonated with me on a deep level. As always, this show isn’t about stopping surgery or medication, it’s about finding different ways to manage endometriosis that suit you, so have a listen and see whether this path could be for you. It was such a pleasure to have Aubree on the show, and I think you’ll going to find what she has to say incredibly insightful! This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works This episode is also supported by The Know Your Endo Endo Toolkit, a practical programme for managing endometriosis by Jessica Murnane. Use the code JESSICA at check out for $15 early bird and standard pricing. Click here to get course info and to enrol: https://knowyourendo.com/program This episode is additionally supported by The Gluten Free Baking Academy. A four week online course teaching you the tools, recipes, and know-how to confidently bake in the comfort of your own kitchen. You’ll learn to make incredible flatbreads, quick breads, yeasted breads, and sourdough without dairy, gluten, eggs, or ingredients like gums and highly processed starches or flours. To take a free course tour or to enroll, click here. Links Peace with Endo Membership and Course Peace with Endo website Peace with Endo book The Energetics of Endo Women Who Run with The Wolves Books lead to Amazon affiliate link.
Aubree Deimler joins us today as we are digging into the energetics of endometriosis and what it means for your fertility. When Aubree was 29 years old she was officially diagnosed with endometriosis. She realized that she did not want to treat it with drugs or surgery. Instead, she took an alternative road on a journey of whole healing—on a physical, emotional and spiritual level... and the rest is history. As a certified integrative wellness coach and founder of the #peacewithendo movement, Aubree is deeply passionate about wellness and inspiring other women with endometriosis to reconnect with a life filled with love and positive rhythms. Meet Aubree and stay in the know about her upcoming happenings at peacewithendo.com 25 Natural Pain Relief Strategies - www.peacewithendo.compain-relief -- Book your Free Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery Call here: https://intakeq.com/booking/cZ7XW6 -- Download your free fertility yoga video. In this 20-minute intro video, we focus on a calming and peaceful practice to connect back to our heart. These simple yoga poses can help quiet negative thoughts and make you feel more in control. www.yogafreebie.com -- Don't forget to check out my Resources page for more information and products that will help you on your fertility journey.