Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects 10 to 20 percent of the American female population. The condition can cause infertility, but it is most commonly associated with the pain it causes women during a flare-up. There is no definitive cure, so learning how to rest and sleep through a painful episode is essential for women who have endometriosis. Here are some tips to make sleeping through pain easier.
Take a Warm Bath
Many women seek warmth when they start suffering from painful flare-ups. Though a heating pad or warm water bottle can help, a warm bath is the most immersive way to deal with endometriosis pains. It allows you to be surrounded by heat and to relax before trying to get into bed for rest. For added pain management, include a scented candle or an essential oil that is associated with calming flare-ups. Lavender, evening primrose, and peppermint oil can all assist in easing your cramps.
Source: The Brief
Get Cozy
It’s hard to get comfortable when you’re in pain, and this is especially true if you don’t have a comfortable place to rest. Your bed should be your sanctuary, an escape from the world, and this is especially true if you need a place to get through an endometriosis flare-up. Surround yourself with comfortable things — pillows, blankets, a favorite scent, etc. Mattress toppers or even a whole new mattress can make a surprising difference in your ability to sleep well. Try different sleeping positions and make sure the mattress and pillows you have offer support where your body needs it as you try to heal.
Source: Mattress Advisor
Find Comforting Sounds
Some women prefer complete silence while they are dealing with a flare-up, but others find certain sounds pleasantly distracting. Use a white noise machine, an app that plays calming nature sounds, or a meditation app to help you feel surrounded by peaceful noise. Find music that is calming or associated with relaxation, and turn it on at a low volume while you try to rest. You may go to sleep faster when surrounded by sound, and relaxing sounds can take your mind off of your pain. Calming sounds can also block out stressful noise, such as traffic or other people in the home, which can make finding rest easier. Studies even show that certain sounds are associated with easing chronic pain.
Source: Gaia
Your body needs rest when dealing with an endometriosis flare-up, so do everything you can to make sure that rest is quality. Give your body time to heal and your mind a tranquil setting to escape to, and you should experience some relief of symptoms.
Want an easy way to ask for help when in pain? Check out our free assistance card!
