Endometriosis Flare Up Survival Guide: Empowerment and Relief
Endometriosis flare ups refer to sudden worsening of endometriosis symptoms like pelvic pain and cramping. These episodic flares result from inflammation and blockages in tissue affected by endometrial lesions and scar tissue. Understanding what triggers flares, helpful coping remedies, and when to seek emergency care can help those with endometriosis better manage periodic episodes of severe pain.
What is an Endometriosis Flare Up?
Women with endometriosis flare up can experience intermittent flare ups where their symptoms suddenly worsen temporarily. Specifically, flares involve:
- A noticeable spike in pelvic cramping and pain
- Increased intensity and duration of pain
- Pain spreading to additional pelvic areas like lower back and thighs
- Other symptoms like heavy bleeding, nausea, diarrhea
- Lasting hours up to 3-5 days before improving
These acute flare ups stem from inflammation and irritation in endometrial tissue outside the uterus and related scarring. The episodes often coincide with menstrual periods but can occur randomly too. Quick treatment helps shorten flares.
Causes and Triggers of Flare Ups
Potential flare triggers include:
- Menstrual cycles – Prostaglandins and hormones like estrogen prompt inflammation
- Ovulation – Can irritate endometrial lesions and cause cramping
- Physical activity – Exercise may increase pelvic blood flow and irritation
- Sexual activity – Friction and orgasms can provoke inflammation
- Bowel movements – Passing stool strains pelvic region
- Diet – Alcohol, caffeine, and inflammatory foods may sensitize nerves/tissues
- Stress – Causes hormonal shifts that can worsen symptoms
- Weather changes – Pelvis may react to drops in temperature and moisture
- Medications – Stopping GnRH analogs, steroids may disrupt stability
Tracking potential triggers helps identify contributing lifestyle factors. But sometimes flares occur without obvious provocation.
Flare Symptoms and Warning Signs
In addition to worsening cramping and pelvic pain, flares may produce:
- Lower back pain or leg pain
- Rectal pain with bowel movements
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Fatigue from pain
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Unusually heavy, long menstrual bleeding
Severe flare symptoms that require prompt medical attention:
- Difficulty urinating
- High fever, vomiting, fainting
- Weakness or numbness
- Unbearable or intolerable pain
Coping with an Endometriosis Flare Up
Self-care remedies to get through a flare:
- Rest during flares to avoid aggravating inflammation
- Apply heating pads or patches to painful areas
- Massage with essential oils like lavender, clary sage
- Take OTC pain relievers like NSAIDs
- Maintain hydration and electrolytes
- Try supplements like curcumin, omega-3s, magnesium
- Stick to a bland, low-inflammatory diet
- Reduce stress using meditation, yoga, breathing exercises
- Track symptoms to identify potential triggers
- Contact gynecologist promptly if symptoms seem severe
Emergency Warning Signs
Seek immediate medical care for:
- Fever over 100.4°F which may indicate infection
- Inability to stand or sit upright due to pain
- Little to no pain relief from medication
- Excessive nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Sudden, extremely heavy vaginal bleeding
- Weakness, dizziness, confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Bladder or bowel obstruction
Severe flares may involve ovarian cyst rupture, infection, or bowel/bladder complications requiring hospitalization. Never hesitate to seek urgent help for alarming symptoms.
Medical Treatments for Flare Relief
To cut short severe flares, doctors may recommend:
- IV fluids and electrolyte replacement
- IV, rectal or oral steroids to quickly reduce inflammation
- Prescription-strength NSAIDs or opiates
- Antibiotics for infection
- GnRH analogs to suppress estrogen production
- Ultrasound to identify ovarian cysts needing drainage
- Surgery for cyst rupture or bowel obstruction
Having an emergency action plan with your doctor helps direct next steps for intense flares. Long term management can reduce recurrence.
Preventing and Minimizing Flares
Strategies to help prevent endometriosis flares include:
- Avoiding triggers like alcohol, caffeine, inflammatory foods
- Staying active with gentle, low-impact exercise
- Taking anti-inflammatory supplements and vitamins
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Stress management and self-care routines
- Hormone suppressing medications like GnRH agonists
- Oral contraceptives or progestins
- Conservative excision surgery to remove lesions
While flares may still occur, identifying and modifying contributing factors can help reduce frequency and intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some common questions about endometriosis flare ups:
Are flares a normal part of endometriosis? Yes, intermittent flare ups are very common due to the inflammatory nature of endometriosis.
Is there a way to predict endometriosis flares? Unfortunately flare ups can be unpredictable, but tracking symptoms helps identify potential triggers.
How long do endometriosis flare ups usually last? Anywhere from a few hours to 3-5 days on average. Seek help if pain is severe or prolonged.
Can birth control pills help prevent flares? Some may find oral contraceptives reduce frequency, while others continue experiencing breakthrough flares on the pills.
Will a flare up show anything different on imaging tests? Not necessarily. Ultrasound may detect a ruptured ovarian cyst causing a flare.
Conclusion
Coping with intermittent endometriosis flares is a challenging and frustrating facet of this complex disorder. While the episodes can be demoralizing, proactively identifying potential triggers, having an emergency plan, and using self-care remedies helps women manage the temporary but disruptive ups and downs. Long term treatment is also key to regaining control over debilitating symptoms. Being informed and prepared allows for resilience even during the difficult times. There are thankfully many strategies to attempt to tame endometriosis flares over time.
