ften, endometriosis is clustered with problems such as interstitial cystitis, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, allergies and autoimmune diseases, food and environmental sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema, vaginal yeast infections, and Lyme disease, to name a few.61 A 1998 survey of 3,680 members of the Endometriosis Association found that women with endometriosis had higher rates of hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, and asthma, among other medical problems.62
Because these other conditions so often co-exist with endometriosis, in addition to whatever medical treatment or surgery I do, I make sure that the patient’s underlying metabolic system is in balance; that her digestive, immune, and hormonal systems are functioning optimally; that she’s exercising and eating well. The better the patient’s overall health, the easier it is to address all the underlying issues.