Endometriosis: understanding the root causes & natural paths to healing

(Why so many women are still suffering and what you can do to finally heal)

If you’ve been told that your pelvic pain is normal, or that period cramps are just ‘part of being a woman’, please take a deep breath and know this: pain is not normal.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 9 Australian women, and it’s one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed conditions in women’s health. Many women go years, sometimes decades, without answers and while the medical system often focuses on managing pain and suppressing hormones, there’s a growing movement of women (and practitioners) discovering the deeper, root causes of endometriosis – and healing naturally.

Today we’re going to unpack exactly that:

• What endometriosis actually is.

• The possible root causes driving it.

• How the medical system treats it.

• The functional, natural medicine approach that goes beyond symptom management.

• And how to start your own healing journey today.

What is Endometriosis, really?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows in other parts of the body, most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and bowel.

These endometrial-like cells respond to hormonal changes just like your uterine lining does each month: they build up, break down, and bleed, but because they’re outside the uterus, the blood has nowhere to go, leading to inflammation, pain, scarring, and adhesions.

Symptoms vary from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and common signs include:

• Severe period pain (that worsens over time).

• Heavy bleeding and clotting.

• Pain during ovulation or intercourse.

• Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or nausea.

• Fatigue and brain fog.

• Fertility challenges.

Dr Christiane Northrup calls endometriosis a “disease of the emotional and physical environment”, a reflection of chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and unhealed stress patterns in the body.

Root causes: what’s really going on beneath the surface

While genetics can play a role, functional medicine tells us that endometriosis is rarely just bad luck. It’s a multi-system imbalance, influenced by the gut, liver, immune system, and environment.

Here’s what current natural health research (and female experts like Dr Lara Briden and Dr Libby Weaver) point to as the key root causes:

1. Estrogen Dominance

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition. Too much circulating estrogen (or poor detoxification of it) fuels the growth of endometrial tissue.

What causes estrogen dominance:

• Chronic stress and elevated cortisol

• Xenoestrogens (chemicals in plastics, cosmetics, and cleaning products)

• Low progesterone (from ovulatory issues or perimenopause)

• Impaired liver detox pathways

Natural support: cruciferous veggies (broccoli, kale, cauliflower), flaxseeds, magnesium, and B vitamins help your liver metabolise excess estrogen.

2. Gut Dysbiosis and Inflammation

The gut is central to hormonal health – research shows that women with endometriosis often have altered gut microbiomes and higher inflammation levels.

Dr Lara Briden calls the gut, the control centre for hormone balance, so when digestion is sluggish or bacterial balance is off, estrogen recycling increases through the estrobolome – a group of gut bacteria that control how estrogen is metabolised.

If your gut isn’t healthy, your hormones won’t be either.

This is where gut healing supplements and probiotic-rich foods play a vital role (hello, For Her Probiotic!).

3. Liver Overload

Your liver is responsible for detoxifying hormones, but when it’s overworked by processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, or chemical exposure, it can’t efficiently clear estrogen or inflammatory toxins.

A sluggish liver = higher estrogen levels = worsening endometriosis symptoms.

Liver support foods: beetroot, dandelion tea, lemon water, turmeric, and leafy greens.

4. Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Gary Brecka often speaks about cellular energy – how mitochondrial health underpins everything from fertility to inflammation. In endometriosis, dysfunctional mitochondria can lead to fatigue, oxidative stress, and slower tissue repair.

Supporting mitochondrial health with magnesium, CoQ10, L-carnitine, and oxygenation (breathwork or grounding) can dramatically help energy levels and inflammation.

5. Emotional & Nervous System Overload

Many women with endometriosis are high-achievers, caregivers, and empaths. Chronic “fight or flight” mode keeps cortisol high, suppresses immune function, and prevents the body from entering a healing state.

Dr Northrup describes this pattern as the body saying no when you don’t.

Healing the nervous system is just as important as balancing hormones: yoga, breathwork, grounding, prayer, and gentle movement signal safety back to your body.

The medical system’s approach: symptom suppression

The conventional system tends to treat endometriosis as a gynecological disorder, rather than a systemic inflammatory condition.

Common treatments include:

• Hormonal birth control to suppress ovulation and thin the uterine lining.

• GnRH agonists or antagonists (like Lupron) to artificially induce menopause.

• Painkillers and anti-inflammatories for pain management.

• Laparoscopic surgery to remove endometrial lesions.

While these can provide relief, they don’t always address the underlying drivers, meaning symptoms often return once treatment stops. and as Dr Lara Briden points out, suppressing ovulation isn’t the same as fixing hormonal imbalance, the menstrual cycle is not the problem – it’s a vital sign of health.

The functional & natural medicine approach

The functional medicine approach views endometriosis as a whole-body condition, not just a reproductive one.

Healing requires addressing the inflammation, gut health, detox pathways, and emotional wellbeing that fuel it.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1. Healing the Gut

Your gut microbiome influences estrogen metabolism, immune balance, and inflammation.

Start with:

• A low-inflammatory, whole-food diet (gluten- and dairy-free).

• Daily probiotic support (For Her Probiotic).

• Prebiotic fibres like chia, flax, garlic, and onions.

• Bone broth or collagen for gut lining repair.

• Reducing or completely removing sugar, alcohol, and processed foods.

Try this: My 7-Day Gut Healing Meal Plan is an easy way to get started – it’s an instant download you can print and keep on your benchtop to stay motivated all week.

2. Supporting liver detox

Your liver is your hormonal filter., keep it happy with:

• Lemon water each morning.

• Herbal teas (dandelion, milk thistle).

• Sulphur-rich veggies (onion, garlic, broccoli).

• Cruciferous vegetables daily.

• Regular sweating (sauna, exercise, sunlight).

3. Balancing Hormones Naturally

To calm estrogen dominance:

• Eat high-fibre foods to bind excess estrogen.

• Manage stress and support progesterone production with vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc.

• Prioritise 7–9 hours of restorative sleep (my non-negotiable and its free!).

• Avoid synthetic fragrances, plastics, and pesticides (they mimic estrogen).

4. Reducing inflammation

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition: you can calm that inflammation through:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil).

• Turmeric and curcumin.

• Antioxidant-rich foods (berries, greens, cacao).

• Infrared saunas or Epsom salt baths  (instead of winding down the week with wine, make this your Friday evening ritual – heaven!)

5. Nervous System Regulation

Stress directly worsens endo flares: create daily rituals that restore calm:

• 5 minutes of deep breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 6).

• Grounding barefoot outdoors.

• Gentle yoga or stretching.

• Prayer, journaling, or gratitude practice.

Healing begins when your body feels safe.

6. Homeopathy & herbal medicine

Many natural practitioners use herbs like chaste tree (vitex), curcumin, and milk thistle to balance hormones and reduce inflammation. Homeopathic remedies like Sepia and Lachesis are often used for cyclical pain, irritability, and congestion.

Always consult a qualified natural practitioner to personalise your plan.

7. Functional testing to consider

If you’re ready to get to the root cause, consider these tests:

1. Comprehensive stool test — assesses gut microbiome and inflammation markers.

2. DUTCH test — for hormone metabolites and cortisol rhythm.

3. Liver function panel — checks detox capacity.

4. Nutrient panel — magnesium, zinc, B12, vitamin D.

The Hope in Healing

Endometriosis doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t have to control your life. Your body has an incredible capacity to heal when given the right tools, nourishment, and space to do so.

Dr Northrup notes that “when a woman listens to her body and trusts her inner wisdom, she becomes her own best healer”, and I absolutely love and agree with this statement. If you’re on this journey, know that it doesn’t have to be permanent, you’re simply being called to reconnect: with your body, your intuition, and your own strength.

Start healing from the inside out

If you’re ready to begin supporting your gut, hormones, and inflammation naturally, start with the basics:

💗 My For Her Probiotic – a wholefood-based formula designed for women’s gut, hormone, and immune health.

📖 Download my 7-Day Gut Healing Meal Plan – an instant printable guide to reset digestion, reduce bloating, and nourish your body with real food.

When your gut heals, your hormones follow.