5 Benefits of DIM for Endometriosis
Affecting about 11% of females, endometriosis is a hormonal inflammatory condition where estrogen-dependent uterine tissue forms somewhere else in the body, usually somewhere in the pelvic region, or in any of the spaces between the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. A way to remember endometriosis is that ‘endo’ means “inside” and ‘metrium’ means uterus. The extra tissue causes inflammation which leads to a lot of pain and infertility.
The condition is associated with estrogen dominance because the tissues in endometriosis often contain many estrogen receptors on them. Digestive issues are another problem with endometriosis because of a failure to eliminate excess estrogen. The goal of endometriosis is to reduce pain and inflammation because there is no cure.
DIM stands for diindolylmethane and it is a naturally occurring compound in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. DIM has been shown to be one of the supplements for endometriosis to relieve some pain. It helps with endometriosis because it lowers total estrogen and improves estrogen detoxification.
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Here are 5 benefits of DIM for endometriosis:
1. Reduce Heavy Bleeding
Heavy bleeding is a sign of high estrogen. Heavy menstrual bleeding is defined as secreting more than 80 mL of blood per menstrual cycle, though it is reported that about 50% of females who report heavy menstrual bleeding, do not meet the 80 mL standard. The normal bleeding amount is only 50-60 mL of blood. Heavy bleeding is caused by polyps which are when there is enlarged tissue growth in the endometrial cavity. Estrogen functions to build up the endometrial wall for menstruation, so heavy menstrual bleeding is caused by the increase in estrogen. This is why reducing heavy bleeding is a benefit of DIM for endometriosis because it aids in estrogen detoxification, which will lower the amount of estrogen and therefore reduce heavy bleeding.
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2. Reduce Period Pain
Reducing period pain is another reason DIM for endometriosis is beneficial. Painful periods or dysmenorrhea is noted as painful cramps during menstruation. The cramps in the uterus can be caused by high amplitude contractions, increased uterine tone, and high levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are sex hormones that work in parallel with estrogen, so when estrogen increases right before menstruation, then prostaglandin will increase. Prostaglandins in the reproductive system aid in contractions for labor, but when you are not in labor these contractions are labeled as cramps. This is why painful periods are one of the signs of high estrogen. DIM can aid in this because of its role in estrogen detoxification. It can reduce estrogen which will decrease the intensity of the prostaglandins.
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3. Support Phase 1 Estrogen Detoxification
Another reason DIM for endometriosis works is because it supports phase 1 of estrogen detoxification. There are 2 main phases of estrogen excretion, and DIM favors phase I which is detoxification. There are 3 main steps that occur, and all of them need to take place in order for it to excrete the estrogen. Again, too much estrogen can elevate your levels and cause an increase in endometrial pain. DIM supports this phase and allows this to occur and for estrogen to be excreted instead of recirculated.
Source: Oregon State, Estrogen Metabolism
4. Lower Elevated Levels of Estrogen
Lower levels of estrogen is another one of the benefits of DIM for endometriosis. This is because elevated levels of estrogen cause a large impact on endometriosis. The tissues in the endometriosis have many estrogen beta receptors which cause an increase in estrogen circulation. DIM for endometriosis helps lower elevated levels of estrogen because it helps to reduce this free estrogen by promoting detoxification.
Source: Oregon State
5. Reduce Inflammation
Reducing inflammation is another benefit of DIM for endometriosis. Inflammation occurs when your white blood cells sense an invader or an area of injury in the body, so they release chemicals to surge the area as well as increase blood flow there. In the case of endometriosis, the foreign uterine tissue that implants in the pelvic region causes inflammation to occur because the body knows that this tissue doesn’t belong. As a response, you feel a lot of swelling and flare-ups of pain that contribute to the cramps you feel in endometriosis. Through phase I of detoxification there are two pathways estrogen can go down. One of the pathways, 4-OH to estrogen detoxification can lead to a lot of inflammation. DIM can help with this by steering the estrogen away from that pathway and turning it toward the protective 2-OH pathway. This will kill two birds with one stone by allowing your body to eliminate estrogen while also reducing inflammation.
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Those are all reasons why DIM may help endometriosis. DIM is not for everybody. It can work well if your estrogen levels are high and if you are favoring the inflammatory estrogen detoxification pathway (4-OH). Work with your healthcare provider to determine if this supplement is right for you.
Take away message:
There are several benefits of DIM for endometriosis. If you’re looking to understand the root causes of your endometriosis, check out my hormone testing packages HERE.
