Does Endometriosis Hurt all the Time?

Jun 22

In a world where endometriosis pain is often seen as fleeting or episodic, there exists a silent but profound reality for some of us battling endometriosis: pain all the time.

And, there are real reasons for this. Sometimes it’s in direct relation to the endo lesions; other times it may have little to do with the actual (physical) lesions and be associated with something else.

Once upon a time, I, too, was here! I didn’t really get endo “flairs,” and my periods weren’t awful. My reality was that my pelvis hurt nearly all the time. I couldn't ride in cars on bumpy roads, couldn’t run anymore (the jolting felt terrible), and even just getting my heart rate up would make my uterus feel like it was going to fall out of my body. I was in prison, endo prison … but I’m happy to tell you it went away :) With the correct approach, I’m hopeful yours can, too.

Read on to learn why you may be on the same page as me back in my endo-days, with never-ending pain.

1) Lesions and Adhesions Causing Pain:

I mention this first because, yes, endometriosis lesions or adhesions may be a culprit. Endo is notorious for its ability to create intra-abdominal adhesions that bind organs together in abnormal ways. Imagine delicate tissues adhering where they shouldn't, pulling and tugging with each movement, each breath. This internal tug-of-war manifests as a deep, throbbing ache that never seems to fade. It's a reminder that the body's natural order has been disrupted, leaving behind a persistent discomfort that refuses to be ignored.

Conversely, some of us have highly sensitive lesions, terribly placed. Imagine a deeply infiltrated lesion on the bowel that hurts every time stool passes through the intestinal tract (which is often… think about it).

Getting rid of lesions and adhesions like this will take a skilled surgeon. Check out www.icarebetter.com for many options!

But please don’t assume right away this is you without a diagnosis! I assumed my lesions and adhesions were the driving force behind all my pain for a long time, too; I actually assumed everything about my endo was due to lesions (as most of us think). The truth is, your pain may be due to lesions or not, which is the foundation of my work with Heal Endo.

2) Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS):

For many with endometriosis, the pain transcends mere physical boundaries; it infiltrates the very essence of sensory perception. Central Sensitization Syndrome, a condition where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to pain signals, amplifies every sensation. What might be a mild discomfort to others becomes an overwhelming ordeal as nerves fire off distress signals with unwavering intensity. Even the gentlest touch can trigger waves of agony, turning the simplest tasks into monumental challenges.

Let me try to explain this a little better… Imagine your central nervous system as your security system. When you are in pain, your security guards leap to help! They inform all the systems you’re in danger, prioritizing inflammation and signaling to the brain where the pain was for a big fight. But if this happens often (like every 3 weeks when you have your period, along with other flairs), your security guards get frizzled and start to see everything as a threat.

Now, when you simply cough, you can have a TERRIBLE pain episode because that minuscule trigger sent your nervous system panicking. Or sex becomes painful, rather than uncomfortable. Or you start to experience pain all. the. time. Pain with sex, pooping, running, jolting, coughing. Even when the doctor says, “Your endo isn’t so bad for this pain,” indeed, your pain is still a 9/10. Here’s a neat video if you feel interested:

Fixing CSS is neat… it’s about retraining the brain and its responses to triggers, as well as retraining the body to respond appropriately.

Best steps in my opinion? Pelvic floor physical therapy can help you release the trigger points in your pelvic floor, contributing to those “guards” thinking you’re in trouble. If you’ve ever had a charlie horse in your calf, you can imagine what a knot in your sensitive pelvic floor would feel like. If you can’t get to a PF physio, consider a trigger point wand like this. Also, I had a lot of success using small trigger point balls and sitting on them in different positions, so they can work in the soft tissue between your sits bones. You may have more tension in the back of your pelvic floor (nearer your anus) or the front of your pelvic floor nearer the pelvic bone. Using little balls like this to gently add pressure to release can help a ton.

The other side of the coin, the brain retraining, is tantamount. In so many ways! Actually, if I could make all of you reading this do one thing it would be this program: DNRS, at retrainingthebrain.com for a life changing journey back to health.

3) Endometriosis and Food Allergies or Intolerances:

The relationship between endometriosis and dietary sensitivities is a puzzle. Foods that nourish others can provoke inflammation and exacerbate symptoms in you.

In fact, some of us find that removing an offending food can make 90% of the pain go away. Yes, there is such a direct correlation for many sufferers! Me included.

The biggies include gluten, dairy, and eggs, although some people react to other things. As I talk about in my book Heal Endo, the goal is to remove triggers to heal the system, but with the long-term goal of eating as wide and diverse as you can! Indeed, dairy and eggs are highly nutritious…

To start out, consider my book the 4-Week Endometriosis Diet Plan. It cuts out dairy and gluten, and gives low FODMAP, low Histamine, and Egg free options! It’s a great 30 day reset to simply see if food intolerance are contributing to your pain.

4) Nervous System Dysregulation and Chronic Pain:

Being perpetually stuck in the primal responses of fight, flight, or freeze can profoundly impact the body, paving the way for chronic pain to take root and persist. When the brain perceives a threat, whether physical or psychological, it triggers a cascade of physiological reactions designed to ensure survival. In chronic stress or trauma, this response system can become dysregulated, causing the body to remain in a heightened state of alertness long after the perceived danger has passed. Prolonged activation of the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for fight or flight responses, can lead to increased muscle tension, elevated heart rate, and shallow breathing, all of which contribute to muscular imbalances and strain.

Furthermore, chronic stress can impair the body's ability to regulate inflammation and pain perception. The release of stress hormones such as cortisol can disrupt immune function and exacerbate inflammatory conditions, potentially leading to the development or worsening of chronic pain syndromes. Moreover, the psychological toll of constantly feeling threatened or unsafe can contribute to anxiety and depression, which themselves are associated with heightened sensitivity to pain.

Thus, the cycle perpetuates, with pain further feeding into stress and vice versa, creating a complex interplay that requires holistic approaches to address both the physical and emotional aspects of chronic pain management.

Again, for this I recommend DNRS.

5) Bacteria, Nutrient Deficiencies, Chronic Inflammation, and more

Endometriosis is associated with chronically low levels of anti-inflammatory fats, minerals, and vitamins. It’s associated with high levels of bacteria in the gut and reproductive tract and free radicals throughout the peritoneal cavity. Put together, you may have chronic abdominal or reproductive organ pain that you assume is endo, but it’s not. Stopping the inflammation (and bacteria) in its tracks can really help.

Tackling issues like reproductive organ dysbiosis, SIBO, and increasing antioxidants may completely change your life.

How? Imagine you have a small tooth infection on the right molar. Bacteria are brimming, and the inflammation is starting to set in. You are on vacation and vow to deal with it later… but after a week your whole jaw hurts now! The inflammation is swelling your gums, your jaw hurts, you can’t sleep on your right side without throbbing. See how bacteria and inflammation create chronic pain from a small infection, pain that is larger than the actual “issue” itself?

Ending the Endometriosis Chronic Pain Cycle

Living with endometriosis means some of us may experience a perpetual cycle of pain, where each day unfolds against a backdrop of uncertainty and discomfort. I was certainly here, and it took a toll on my life in every aspect. If this is you, too, have hope! Addressing many of these underlying triggers can help greatly, if not completely! So many women have reclaimed their lives from chronic pain, it often just takes some work and diligence.

It's about summoning the courage to face the world despite feeling as though one's body is constantly at war with itself. It's about finding solace in the smallest victories — a fleeting moment of relief, a compassionate gesture from a loved one, a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair. It’s about changing your diet, your movement, your thought patterns, and releasing muscle tension, worry, shame, and anger.

Because amidst the turmoil, I know you have a resilience that defies the odds. It's in the quiet determination to seek answers, in the unyielding spirit that refuses to surrender. Just by reading this page and looking for answers to your chronic endo pain you are on the right path!

Sending you love and light,

Katie Edmonds

Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing chronic pain, it's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support. Each individual's journey with pain is unique, and seeking expert advice can lead to effective management strategies tailored to your specific needs. This blog is meant to raise awareness and provide insight, but it's important to rely on medical professionals for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.

Katie Edmonds