What Can I Eat To Help Manage My Symptoms?

Following on from the advice on the All About Estrogen page, feedback from the Association members and much research into the symptoms that adenomyosis presents, this has lead the Adenomyosis Advice Association to establish that there are certain food types that tend to aggravate the symptoms of adenomyosis further. These foods often create extra pressure on the pelvic region and make the condition more painful.

With this in mind, both during the management of adenomyosis and post surgery try to avoid: wheat, gluten, artificial sugars, cow's milk, bananas, yeast based products including alcohol, tea and coffee.

Eliminating estrogen from the diet is of course very important whilst managing the condition as is incorporating 'safer' foods to help reduce the swelling around the uterus pre-hysterectomy and post surgery. Try to eat from the following categories:

Fruit

Apples, apricots, strawberries, fresh raspberries (see note below about raspberry tea), blueberries, cranberries, dates, figs, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, oranges, papaya, pineapple, limes, lemons, melon, coconut, plums, peaches and pears.

Vegetables

Artichokes, asparagus, beetroot, celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cress, cabbage (all types including red and green), kale, calabrese, spinach, sprouts, avocado, olives, chicory, leeks, mushrooms, onions, peppers (red, yellow and green- only cooked), potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, sauerkraut, turnips and swede.

Pulses, Beans, Nuts & Grains

Rice (especially brown), barley, buckwheat, spelt, millet, oatmeal, nuts (almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, walnuts), seeds (pumpkin, seasame), beans (mixed varieties including pinto, broad, kidney etc), quinoa, couscous and lentils.

Herbs

Try and moderate or lower your salt intake and instead use the following herbs: Basil, caraway, cinnamon, dill, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Others Ingredients:

Eggs/bananas (will help with an upset tummy - have egg mayo or a banana following an upset tummy. This will help regulate things and stop diarrhea. As banana can constipate if your bowel is sensitive, if your upset tummy symptoms persist, opt for rice and fish as an alternative 'gentle' meal taking manuka honey three times a day an hour before meals. If your upset tummy still does not respond after 24-36 hours, seek medical attention.)

Cold-pressed olive oil - is good. Try to completely cut out margarine and opt if you really must for organic butter.

Use coconut/almond milk and NOT soy based milk products.

Honey and molasses are great natural sweeteners and help with iron replacement. Opt for manuka honey and take this as a preventative/remedy instead of opting for antibiotics if you possibly can.

Rice flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, maize flour and buckwheat flour are really good.

Meat - in very small amounts - only organic and from a traceable source where you can guarantee that hormones have not been used to feed/treat the animal.

Fish, fresh if possible and not from a tin as far as is possible.

Fruit teas generally, however avoid Chasteberry (Vitex Agnus-Castus) and Red Raspberry Leaf/raspberry tea generally as these do interact with the pituitary gland and that may aggravate your symptoms further.

N.B. The above dietry modifications have also been observed/followed by myself and I have not only completely recovered post TAH but have also regained my original body shape and weight accordingly and have suffered no ill effects. However, should YOU be sensitive to ANY of the above mentioned ingredients or food suggestions, simply eliminate these completely from your new food suggestion list. Danielle x