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National Endometriosis Awareness Month march info graphic vector illustration EPS10
Endometriosis and a Low FODMAP Diet
Endometriosis frequently causes digestive issues that are difficult to treat. A low-FODMAP diet was shown to be effective in a recent study: 60% of women with endometriosis saw their digestive symptoms improve with this diet, compared to 26% with a conventional diet. This nutritional approach therefore offers a promising avenue for better managing the digestive symptoms of endometriosis, although further research is needed.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a complex, chronic, inflammatory disease that affects approximately 10% of women. It is characterized by the growth of tissue resembling the endometrium (the lining of the uterine cavity) outside the uterus. Despite its high prevalence, this disease remains poorly understood.
Symptoms associated with endometriosis can be very painful and greatly affect quality of life. They vary from one woman to another but are not dependent on the stage of endometriosis. Although characteristic symptoms include dysmenorrhea (difficult and painful menstruation), pelvic pain, and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and dyschezia (difficulty passing stools), are extremely common, affecting over 75% of women with the condition.
Endometriosis and Digestive Symptoms
Patients with endometriosis are three times more likely to be diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) than the general population. Despite the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms reported in women with endometriosis and their considerable impact on quality of life, few treatments specifically target digestive symptoms, and certain medications, such as progesterone, opiates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants, can sometimes make them worse. Unfortunately, while pain and menstrual symptoms may respond to these treatments, gastrointestinal symptoms often remain refractory.
Nutritional Approach for Endometriosis
The evidence supporting a nutritional approach for endometriosis remains limited. To learn more about the dietary strategies that have been explored, read this article. Considering that many women with endometriosis have symptoms similar to those of IBS, the FODMAP approach may be worth exploring.
Author
Kathryn holds a Bachelor Degree in Nutrition as well as a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Kinesiology, all from Laval University. She is a Registered Dietitian and active member of the Ordre professionnel des Diététistes Nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) and of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds the Monash University's certification for the FODMAP diet and IBS, and has considerable clinical experience in that area. She is also an accomplished athlete, having ran track and cross-country at a national level. Kathryn specializes in sports nutrition, weight loss, diabetes, as well as heart and gastrointestinal health.
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