Many people with endometriosis experience a swollen, bloated belly. This puffiness is often seen after eating a large meal. But for those with endometriosis, it can happen frequently and be quite painful. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it. This causes severe cramps, tiredness, and sometimes infertility. However, gut problems linked to endometriosis are less talked about.
Dr. Karan Rajan, an NHS surgeon and health educator, recently addressed this issue on Instagram. He responded to a video showing a woman with endometriosis pointing to her bloated belly. The swelling was so obvious it looked like a pregnancy bump. Dr. Rajan explained how common gut symptoms are in endometriosis and shared advice on diet to help manage these problems.
He highlighted the low FODMAP diet. This diet restricts certain carbohydrates that can cause fermentation and bloating in the gut. Dr. Rajan referred to a study that shows this diet can ease pain and bloating in people with endometriosis. The study found that 60% of people who followed a low FODMAP diet had better gut symptoms and improved quality of life. This was compared to only 26% improvement on a regular diet.
Dr. Rajan said, “If you get severe bloating or gut problems with endometriosis, there’s new research that is very promising. The low FODMAP diet limits foods like garlic and onions that ferment in the gut. People on this diet had less abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and gas. They also had more days with normal bowel movements compared to before starting the diet or compared to those on a normal diet.”
While many treatments for endometriosis focus on pain and infertility, gut health often gets overlooked. Dr. Rajan pointed out that some medications used to treat endometriosis pain, like progesterone or painkillers, can sometimes make digestive issues worse.
He added, “Endometriosis varies a lot between individuals, so a low FODMAP diet isn’t a cure-all. It should be done with medical supervision. What helps one person might not help another. There is a big gap in how we treat gut symptoms in endometriosis, and we need more research to understand this link better.”
In summary, gut problems in endometriosis need more attention. A low FODMAP diet may offer relief for many, but patients should work with their doctors to find the best approach.
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