What causes endometriosis?
There are many theories about what causes endometriosis. The most common ones are:
Retrograde menstruation (when menstrual blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes)
Genetic factors (family history)
Environmental factors, excess oestrogen in the environment.
Estrogenic chemicals (some pesticides, dioxins, furans, PCB’s, and others)
Abnormal function of the immune system
In general, women with endometriosis will have a hormonal imbalance. Usually they have excess estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This imbalance can lead to endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, fibrous breast tissue and possibly also breast cancer. This state of imbalance can occur due to stress, foods that contain phytoestrogens, and chemicals that contain xeno-estrogens, which are both endocrine disruptors. If you have any hormonal problems and health concerns, I would highly reccommend you to limit your exposure to the following chemicals which are known to contain xeno-estrogens.
Some commonly found estrogenic chemicals include:
bisphenol A (found in some plastics),
parabens (cosmetics, shampoo, lotions, etc)
phthalates (household cleaners, food packaging, plastics, fragrance, cosmetics)
polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (electrical equipment, inks, adhesives, paints)
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sun-screens, lotions)
butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative-E320)
Phytoestrogens
Phyto means plant. Phytoestrogens are endocrine dispruptors and their chemical structure resembles and mimics the biological estrogen in our bodies. They are found in a variety of foods such as vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, soy, and beans. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts and cabbage have been shown to contain high levels of phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens compete with estrogen to occupy the estrogen receptor sites on the cell membrane walls. This prevents estrogen from exerting its effects on the cell. Phytoestrogens are weaker in strength than estrogen, but they still have an estrogenic affect. If your estrogen levels are high, and you substitute estrogen for phytoestrogen at the cellular receptor site, there will be less estrogenic activity in the cells. But if you have an estrogen dominant disease, and need to try to reduce estrogen, it is best to eat phytoestrogens in moderation. Be particularly careful with non-fermented soy products like tofu and soy milk as they have also been linked to low thyroid function. Fermented soy, like miso and tempeh are okay.
Xeno-estrogens
Xeno means foreign or strange, so xeno-estrogen means "foreign estrogen". These foreign estrogens can increase the normal estrogen load in the body and create an imbalance and estrogen dominance. Xeno-estrogens are difficult to detoxify through the liver, and when your body can’t detox and eliminate these foreign estrogens, they end up getting stored in fat cells in the body.
We are constantly assaulted by estrogens in our environment, from the foods we eat, to the chemicals we use or are exposed to in everyday life. Estrogen in the form of chemicals (xenoestrogens), or foods and plants (phytoestrogens), mimic the action of estrogen produced in cells and can alter normal hormone activity. If you have an estrogen dominant health condition like endometriosis, fibroids, pcos, fibrocystic breasts, or breast cancer then it is very important to be aware of the chemicals and plastics you are using or being exposed to in the environment around you.
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