Lactose intolerance x endo

[cantthinkofauser]

Ok basically my symptoms that first made me think oh yikes I might have endometriosis started around January this year, and at the same time I started to notice that I might have lactose intolerance and I didnt think anything of it, I just swapped to soya milk and planned to ask doctor about it after all my endo diagnosis was done (I still havent had a proper diagnosis but I have a hospital appointment soon) but the other day I was thinking that it's a bit weird that it happened at the same time so I googled it but I'm so dumb and I dont understand if or how the two are linked.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen? I saw some articles about endo diets but none of it specifically mentioned lactose from what I could see

Also can anyone explain it in dumb people terms if they dont mind?? 😅

[luthien]

Hey, it's dairy products generally that are known to make endo symptoms worse I think it's to do with the inflammatory properties as we get older. Switching to soy is good however soya seems to mimic oestrogen (what the endo needs to grow) which is why some women find that can make things worse too.

Some women have found their endo and irritable bowel syndrome go together, therefore there are lots of tips out there to manage endo symptoms by dietary changes. It'll be different for each person, but generally: reduce dairy, soy, red meat, processed meat (imported with added hormones), wheat and processed sugars.

I have found I have a casein sensitivity - the other protein in milk (lactose being the main one), so it means milk makes me a bit sicky and bloated with gas. For me yoghurt (natural and greek style natural) is fine, cheese (lower fat like edam, gouda, and halloumi) and ice cream (made from dairy cream) I can tolerate in small amounts. I usually just try to have very little. I have a range of milks; almond, rice, oat, coconut, lots of supermarkets now do their own versions which make it cheaper than say Alpro, I like Sainsbury's own brand ones.

I've found I don't need to eliminate certain things to feel the effects, it's so hard to completely eliminate things, with traces in stuff, you'd need the time and energy to go the whole way, some people need that to really help manage their symptoms. I've found the following helps me; almost eliminating dairy, reducing wheat or having less processed wheat, almost no processed foods or treats (so all natural and homemade, or ones that you know what's in it with less than 5 ingredients), swap sugar for honey or maple syrup, reduce red meat to maybe once every two weeks, increase fish to three times a week. My main symptoms are around my periods so I try that week to go gluten, dairy and soy free. Other times it's just bloating I have to deal with so I take that into account say if I catch up with friends.

I have some great books on endometriosis and diet that I'd suggest getting (you can get them on Amazon). They're so helpful for symptoms, stories, diagnosis, what to ask, what to know, treatment, diet, eating balanced and healthy, exercise, what to say to others etc:

Endometriosis: The Experts' Guide to Treat, Manage and Live Well with Your Symptoms

Endometriosis: A Key to Healing And Fertility Through Nutrition

Living Well with Endometriosis: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know

Hope someone can help a bit more with the scientific side! xx

[cantthinkofauser in reply to luthien]

Thank you so much, this is really helpful!!💞