Today, let’s dive into a topic many of my clients face during their journey toward better health—digestive issues and whether they are linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or endometriosis. If you're living with endometriosis and experiencing gut problems, you might be wondering: Do I have IBS, or is this just another symptom of my endometriosis? Let's explore these questions and how you can take control of your symptoms.
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine, leading to symptoms like:
- Stomach cramping
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea, constipation, or both
Sound familiar? These symptoms often overlap with endometriosis, which makes it tricky to determine whether they stem from IBS, endometriosis, or both.
If you were diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, you were probably told that IBS is triggered by certain foods, particularly FODMAPs—carbohydrates found in some fruits and vegetables that your body struggles to digest. These undigested carbs ferment in the gut, causing IBS symptoms.
For many, a low-FODMAP diet helped manage IBS symptoms. But if you have endometriosis, focusing only on IBS might miss the bigger picture.
Endometriosis and Gut Symptoms
It’s only in recent years that we’ve started recognizing how gut issues can be tied to endometriosis. In the past, doctors wouldn’t consider your digestive problems unless they were related to your menstrual cycle, like period pain or infertility. But now, we know that digestive symptoms are often part of the wider symptom profile of endometriosis.
One of the challenges with IBS is that there isn’t a specific test for diagnosing it. It’s more a matter of ruling out other conditions, like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. So, it’s not uncommon for someone with endometriosis to be diagnosed with IBS based on gut symptoms alone, especially if those symptoms overlap.
Gut Health: IBS or Endometriosis?
Here’s the key: if you have endometriosis and experience digestive symptoms, it might not be IBS. You could be dealing with:
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria)
- Food intolerances
These gut issues can trigger similar symptoms to IBS, but treating them requires a different approach. For example, while a low-FODMAP diet might help some people with IBS, it could be too restrictive and cause more harm for someone with endometriosis.
The Role of Stress and Emotions in Gut Health
Both IBS and endometriosis share another important link—stress. We know that the gut and brain communicate closely, and when your gut is “irritable,” it can send distress signals to your brain, triggering further gut symptoms. Stress and emotions can play a huge role in worsening these digestive issues.
Inflammation from endometriosis can also affect the nerve endings in your gut, disrupting healthy brain-gut communication. Add stress into the mix, and it becomes a vicious cycle. Stress can also negatively impact your gut bacteria, worsening gut symptoms.
Food Intolerances and Endometriosis
Another factor to consider is food intolerances. Removing specific foods can help manage symptoms, but it’s important not to cut out too many foods—especially if they provide essential nutrients. For example, gluten intolerance and dairy intolerance are both common among women with endometriosis, but not everyone with endometriosis is sensitive to all FODMAPs.
Instead of following a broad low-FODMAP diet, it's crucial to figure out your specific intolerances. For some, this might include high-FODMAP foods like apples, but for others, it could be a different food altogether. Personalized nutrition is key to managing both endometriosis and IBS-like symptoms effectively.
The truth is, whether your gut symptoms are caused by IBS or endometriosis might not matter as much as treating the symptoms themselves. Both conditions involve gut inflammation, stress, and food intolerances, and the focus should be on healing your gut and reducing inflammation. This includes:
- Identifying and eliminating problem foods
- Supporting gut health with nutrient-rich foods
- Managing stress
If you've been told to go on a low-FODMAP diet and you have endometriosis, it's worth reconsidering. Talk to me about your symptoms first, and let’s explore less restrictive ways to manage your digestive health while still getting the nutrients your body needs.
If you’d like to have a personal chat about how we can find out what is really behind your gut symptoms, book your complimentary Endometriosis SOS Call: https://theendometriosisnutritionist.online/endometriosis-sos-call/