Gynaecologist Paul Mitie says experiences such as Achieng’s may be a result of endometriosis — a medical condition in which tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the womb, usually in the pelvic area.
Endometriosis causes chronic pain and can lead to fertility problems.
There is no cure for the condition even though common treatments include pain medication, hormone therapy, surgery to remove the misplaced tissue and in some cases hysterectomy.
The monthly menstrual cycle has been a painful experience for Elector Achieng since her teenage days.
Gynaecologist Paul Mitie says experiences such as Achieng’s may be a result of endometriosis — a medical condition in which tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the womb, usually in the pelvic area.
Endometriosis causes chronic pain and can lead to fertility problems. There is no cure for the condition even though common treatments include pain medication, hormone therapy, surgery to remove the misplaced tissue and in some cases hysterectomy.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 10 per cent of women worldwide (176 million) suffer from endometriosis.
Though the condition is cureless Lydia Limbe, a yoga teacher, says physical exercises could help lower the pain during menstruation.
She says the exercises are done every day for 40 days during which time one is required to eat a light diet, drink plenty of water and yogi tea. “The monthly cycle of menstruation is a major hormonal event. Oestrogen levels can change greatly. As chemical levels vary there are corresponding changes in emotions, some improve others lessen while others worsen,” Ms Limbe says.
Ms Limbe recommends several exercises to help limit the pain.
Sit on the heels. Extend the left leg straight back along the ground. Bend forward and place the forehead on the ground. Put both arms back along the sides, palms up. Relax all the muscles and breath.
Then slowly rise up as you inhale, bring both legs under, sitting on the heels. Repeat on the other side also for three minutes.
Ms Limbe says the exercise relaxes the pituitary gland which is called the master gland because it controls several other hormone glands. With the position, the blood flows to your head and makes the pituitary gland relax. And so do the ovaries, it automatically slows down breathing which relaxes the whole body.
Exercise Two: Throat and neck massage. Sit on your heels. With one hand, gently massage the muscles on each side of the throat and neck. Use a wave-like motion from the collarbone up to the jaw. Continue this rhythmic squeeze for two minutes.
The exercise works on the thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system. The gland produces, stores and releases hormones into the bloodstream and the body’s cells. “When you massage both the neck and the throat you are stimulating this gland to be active, and to increase the absorption of iodine from the food one eats,” she says.
Exercise three, torso twists: Sit on your heels , place hands at the lower back and lock fingers. The spine should remain straight while inhaling deeply. Exhale and turn to the right. This will relax the whole body while putting a little pressure on the belly hence releasing tension. It is good for elimination of pain.
“When you do this exercise you are massaging internal organs. Ovaries, kidneys, stomach, large and small intestines,” she says
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