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Endometriosis 101: Symptoms, Management & Diet

30th March 2023

Health Life

30th March 2023

By Zak Hillard

It’s March and you know what that means? Well yes, the start of spring and clocks going forward. More importantly, it’s Endometriosis Awareness Month. In honour of the month and to try and offer some support to anyone who may be living with endometriosis, we have taken a deep dive into the condition and what you can do to help to manage it. 

This article isn’t just one for the girls though - everyone is welcome here because that’s what this awareness month is about. Whether you’re living with endometriosis yourself, know someone who is, or you’re just interested in learning about endometriosis symptoms and how we can support those living with it, let’s take a dive together.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a health condition that affects an estimated 10% of women in the reproductive age group1, however, the exact cause is still unknown. 

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue that is similar to the lining in your womb grows outside of the womb2, such as a fallopian tube or the ovaries, but it can grow almost anywhere in the body. The main symptom is pain in the abdomen and discomfort during a period, though symptoms aren’t exclusive to your period. 

Endometriosis may have effects on a women’s mental wellbeing as well as physical.

Endometriosis and pregnancy

Infertility can also be associated with the condition and is often a big fear for many people, however even with severe endometriosis, natural conception is very much possible. An estimated 60-70% of women with endometriosis are able to get pregnant spontaneously3.

Endometriosis symptoms

There are many symptoms associated with endometriosis, and not everyone experiences all of them. They include: 

  • Pain in your back or lower part of your tummy, especially during your period.
  • Severe period pain that tends to stop you from doing regular activities and affects your normal routine.
  • Experiencing pain during or after sex.
  • Having difficulty getting pregnant.
  • Heavy periods that may lead to you bleeding through your pads and using lots of tampons.
  • Feeling nauseous and having diarrhoea during your period.
  • Feeling pain when you’re going to the toilet on your period.

Sometimes these symptoms can have such an impact on a woman’s life that they can lead to issues with mental health. A gentle reminder to be kind to yourself and people around you that might be going through something similar.

Adenomyosis vs endometriosis

If you are experiencing symptoms like these, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. With any medical concerns, always consult a medical professional.

However, from an educational perspective, there are a number of conditions which can appear similar to endometriosis, such as adenomyosis. Whilst endometriosis sees the inner lining of the uterus or womb also grow outside of it, adenomyosis occurs when this lining grows deep in the muscular wall of the uterus - not outside it. 

The symptoms of adenomyosis can be very similar to endometriosis, including abdominal pain as well as heavy or painful menstrual bleeding.

Endometriosis pain relief

As a chronic condition, there are methods available which can help ease the symptoms of endometriosis and offer some relief. A quick fix is to use painkillers if the abdominal pain you are experiencing gets too much to ignore. Some fantastic painkillers that help to target this type of pain are NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen.

A more traditional method is to use heat on the areas causing you pain. This is also a great option as it doesn’t involve taking medication over an extended period of time. You can try a classic hot water bottle, or a more purpose-made heated pad you can stick on your stomach for pain relief when out and about.

There are also forms of physiotherapy you can try to relieve some of these symptoms, such as endometriosis UK’s Pelvic Exercise Programme. These techniques are designed to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and offer some mindfulness benefits in the process. 

If you are experiencing further chronic pain or your pain levels get too high to tolerate, then don't hesitate to seek medical help. There are also specialist pain clinics you can go, where you can get advice and support with your symptoms.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms we’ve talked about or are concerned about someone close to you, you might be wondering how endometriosis is diagnosed. 

As with any medical concern, the first step in getting diagnosed with endometriosis is to speak to a medical professional, most likely your GP. Don’t be afraid to call your doctors and ask them about your symptoms. Once you have had an initial consultation about getting diagnosed, you might then be scheduled for an ultrasound or a laparoscopy – a small keyhole procedure used to officially diagnose various conditions. 

Ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests can reveal endometriomas, or 'chocolate cysts' as they're sometimes known, which are benign, blood-filled cysts which form on the ovaries. 

The endometriosis diet

Whilst the evidence is relatively limited, many specialists suggest your diet can have an impact on your experience with endometriosis.

There are a few processes that are connected to endometriosis, one of them being inflammation. Eating inflammation fighting foods can benefit the areas in your body that are struggling with inflammation. These are foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon or tuna, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Don’t worry if these leaves aren’t your vibe though, there are some delicious smoothie recipes for your health goals to disguise the taste!

It’s also important to consider that a lot of fruit and vegetables are covered in pesticides which contain organochlorines. These have been suggested to interfere with your hormonal function4, so when you are choosing your fruit and veg, try to pick organic produce to reduce your pesticide exposure.

A common culprit for causing stress on your gut health and potentially aggravating your endometriosis is the ever cursed, gluten. By reducing your gluten intake you can potentially reduce the symptoms related to your gastrointestinal issues. You may also find that your mood and sleep will improve – the link between gut health and mental health is a strong one!

Another diet which could be supported as an endometriosis diet is a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for ‘fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols – or in other words, short-chain carbs/sugars which your small intestine struggles to absorb. 

Innermost’s The Digest Capsules for example, help encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut, reducing bloating and making you generally feel much better within yourself and digestive system. You can discover more gut-friendly supplements in our collection. 

Living with endometriosis

If you are living with endometriosis, you are not alone. Take this Endometriosis Awareness Month as an opportunity to learn more about the condition, find new ways to manage it and connect with people who can help. 

We’re with you.


References

  • Rogers PA, D'Hooghe TM, Fazleabas A, Gargett CE, Giudice LC, Montgomery GW, Rombauts L, Salamonsen LA, Zondervan KT. Priorities for endometriosis research: recommendations from an international consensus workshop. Reprod Sci. 2009 Apr;16(4):335-46. doi: 10.1177/1933719108330568. Epub 2009 Feb 5. PMID: 19196878; PMCID: PMC3682634. Click here.
  • Endometriosis, National Health Service, Aug 2024. Click here.
  • Prof. Horne A, Pearson C. Endometriosis: The Experts’ Guide to Treat, Manage and Live Well with Your Symptoms. Endometriosis UK. Click here.
  • Bretveld RW, Thomas CM, Scheepers PT, Zielhuis GA, Roeleveld N. Pesticide exposure: the hormonal function of the female reproductive system disrupted? Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2006 May 31;4:30. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-4-30. PMID: 16737536; PMCID: PMC1524969. Click here.
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