Episode 219: Endometriosis & the Overlap of Hormone, Gut & Immune Health with Dr. Lara Briden

HORMONESAUTOIMMUNITYGUT HEALTHIMMUNE SUPPORT

Aug 23

There’s a bit of a misunderstanding in the health world that endometriosis is just a hormone problem, but this line of thinking is incomplete. Hormones can absolutely contribute to the endometriosis picture, but they are not the cause of endometriosis. And part of treating endometriosis should include strategies to support the hormones, though that’s not where the support should end.

Today on the show Erin speaks with Dr. Lara Briden all about endometriosis and why it’s such a complex thing to treat. Tune in to hear Lara dive into the immune side of endometriosis, epigenetics, gut dysbiosis, and how all these things can be interconnected. Erin and Lara also discuss testing options and strategies to treat endometriosis, plus and natural remedies you can try at home and lifestyle factors to consider. This episode is important to hear if you’ve been struggling with endometriosis or suspect you might have it, have been diagnosed with IBS but think there may be more going on, or if you’re a practitioner looking to deepen your understanding on the complexities of endometriosis.

In this episode:

Lara Briden is kind of a big deal [2:50]

The misunderstanding with endometriosis [4:02]

Looking at endometriosis as a disease of immune dysfunction [7:25]

Lara’s philosophy towards women’s physiology and women’s health [8:57]

What is endometriosis? [13:26]

Retrograde menstruation [16:20]

Autoantibodies associated with endometriosis [20:31]

The link between endometriosis and GI dysfunction [21:47]

The importance of the immune cells macrophages [23:14]

Focusing on bacteria as part of endometriosis treatment [25:30]

The overlap between SIBO, IBS & endometriosis [28:54]

Epigenetic involvement in endometriosis [31:11]

Visceral sensitivity [37:52]

How hormones like estrogen & progesterone can impact endometriosis [39:41]

Why the pill isn’t always the best option for endometriosis [44:34]

Progesterone resistance, and what it means for endometriosis [46:26]

Testing options, natural remedies and treatment strategies [48:46]

The role nickel allergy plays [55:13]

The regulating effects of vitamin A [59:20]

Reducing endometriosis lesions [1:00:22]

What to know about taking iodine [1:01:49]

Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and bioidentical hormones.

With a strong science background, Lara sits on several advisory boards and is the lead author on a couple of peer-reviewed papers.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems.