Endometriosis is not an hormonal disease but an inflammatory disease. So let me explain the relationship between endometriosis, inflammation and your microbiome.

We are host to billions of bacteria, making up your microbiome. The balance of these bacteria impacts virtually every function in your body. We know that in women with endometriosis that microbiome is out of balance: you have a higher concentration of ‘bad’ bacteria, like E.coli, in your microbiome. These ‘bad’ bacteria produce chemicals called endotoxins that signal the immune system to respond.

We also know that women with endometriosis have a sensitive immune system, meaning that it is triggered more easily and then reacts too strongly. The immune response create inflammation, in this case in the pelvic cavity. Inflammation is your body’s way of killing off the bad bacteria.

When you have endometriosis, this inflammation results in endometriotic lesions, on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, spine, etc. These lesions cause the endometriosis symptoms.

So if your microbiome is at the core of the inflammatory response, changing your microbiome will have a positive impact on your symptoms.

If we increase the number of good bacteria and reduce the number of bad bacteria, the amount of endotoxins is less, so your immune system is triggered less.

Good bacteria also impact your immune system directly, through the chemicals they produce. A calmer immune system means less inflammation. Less inflammation means less endometriotic lesions. Less endometriotic lesions means reduced symptoms, in particular pain.

And this is where I get super excited! Most of the typical Endometriosis symptoms can be linked back to an immune or digestive problem. And what you eat and drink directly impacts your digestive system and indirectly your immune system.

Symptoms like bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea, headaches and migraines, chronic fatigue and brain fog are not caused by oestrogen - the cause is found in your gut!

If you would like to discuss your Endometriosis symptoms and how diet affects their severity, book a 30-minute Endometriosis SOS Call.