Endometriosis: A survey points to alternative medicine scams

People with endometriosis often take several years to get a diagnosis. This medical peregrination, which is also found in the case of other gynecological diseases, is not without consequences.

In desperation, many are turning to alternative and complementary therapies to relieve their pain. This is what an ongoing study conducted by ComPaRe tends to measure, to better understand the use of naturopathy, hypnosis or even yoga to relieve the symptoms of endometriosis.

Endometriosis, a symptom of female expression?

But as a survey of France Info, the use of these alternative medicines should not be done without vigilance. Echoing the recent Miviludes report on sectarian aberrations we were talking about this week, we note precisely that anguish in the face of endometriosis is a godsend for some coaches or self-styled therapists who charge consultations and products, some of which are even presented as means of healing.

According to the survey, we find here all the rhetoric of the sacred feminine and the search for a reconnection between body and mind to combat the pain caused by the disease. A naturopath ensures for example that theendometriosis is a symptom of the need for expression of femininity in a patriarchal society. Yes, you read that correctly.

The Miviludes 2021 activity report provides similar results based on several reports:

“During these courses it is said that if a woman has painful periods it is because it is not ‘in accord with her deep nature as a woman’. In other words, she would be responsible for this suffering. Thus, under the cover of an apprenticeship to explore one’s own sacred feminine, that is, “to honor one’s body, one’s sensations and one’s emotions”, it is the fault of women that takes place. “

Behind alternative medicine, essentialization and women’s fault

The survey also shows that some of these formations distill a speech against abortionwhich implies that endometriosis or other gynecological diseases are a consequence of abortion or spontaneous abortion.

Instead of pointing out the naivety of some women who risk falling into the trap of these alternative therapies, Frédérique Pernotte, a midwife with the Resendo network, said France Info That the growing success of these scams is only a result of the indifference of the medical community regarding endometriosis sufferers: For two hours, these women are listened to after several years of not being listened to by medical or other personnel. Sure it works “

Not to mention that even after getting a diagnosis, the management of the disease still leaves much to be desired.

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