Does changing diet help endo symptoms?

Hi, it took a few years to get my endometriosis diagnosis and struggling to control the symptoms. Has anyone tried changing their diet to help their symptoms? And does it work?

Thanks

[BrightLights88]

Hi,

So i had my first lap Aug 2019 for stage 4.

I have since been Endo free with no monthly flare up. I was told to try gluten free but these are not cheap in the market and so I decided to cut out certain food in my own diet.

Instead of gluten free, I have minimal amount of mayo now, and eat less cheese. As they say endo is a inflammatory disease. So i decided to cut those two down as i used to eat excessive amount. Since Aug 2019 I have been endo free.

I am now currently approaching my 6 months follow up.

Everyones different with their body. I personally was reluctant to start a gluten free diet, or any sort of strict diet regime as i know personally its too expensive for me to keep up with.

I also have a little note page on my phone where I write down anything that triggers a slightly discomfort in my stomach or lower abdominal area. Such as raw garlic, tomatoes, porridge, what i do is next time I try it out again but differently than the last time, such as fried, or boiled etc

Hope this helps. x

[Hidden in reply to BrightLights88]

Thank you so much! I’ll try cheese first I think. I’m reluctant with diet change too as don’t know where to start. Was in a&e couple of days ago because of how severe the pain was. Thought it was another condition I have with my bowel but they’ve said it’s likely endo. I didn’t realise it could cause such acute awful pain.

Will give it a try and see how I get on.

Thanks again! X

[BrightLights88 in reply to Hidden]

I'm sorry and I know your pain. I was like this. I had 9 hospital admissions as I was getting flare up every month after 11months of dealing with this I finally had my surgery by endo specialist.

I had pain too in my bowel to the point I couldn't sit down as it was painful to sit, I walked as if I was carrying a baby in my stomach as I could barely walk, I lost a lot of weight during flare ups.

Yes dfoz trial it out, like I said everyones body is different and also the stages of endo reacts different some who are stage 3 get horrendous pain, some on stage 4 don't get any pain.

Cheese and Mayo made a massive difference to me. I really wanted to change something in my diet after my surgery as I wanted to start fresh.

If you need any more info or advice just drop me a message. x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

First gynae surgeon said I didn’t have endo but it took a general surgeon to look at my lap images and confirm I have it 🙄 he then referred me on to a different gynae surgeon. I’ve been put on the pill without the 7 day break to help with the symptoms but I still get generalised period pain and had constant bleeding for 10 weeks. So had a break of a month but had to go back as pain and bloating bad. So back to bleeding non stop again.

So I think I should start helping myself but didn’t know where to start! I don’t have children but would like to in the future so don’t want to consider hysterectomy or anything drastic yet as I’m 36.

Thank you. Just feeling a bit sorry for myself right now 🙄😅 x

[TheLittleMermaid30]

Hi,

I’ve made some significant changes and feel it’s made a huge difference. I used to have constant stomach cramps, before I was diagnosed.

I initially started taking Biokult (a probiotic and probiotics are said to ease endo symptoms) 2 tablets , twice a day. That’s quite an expensive habit to form. 30 tablets cost £9.50, so I’m getting through a packet a week.

I’ve reduced my significantly dairy intake. I didn’t have much cheese but on the rare occasions I have it I try to have low lactose cheeses like cheddar and parmesan. I loved eating Greek or natural yoghurt for breakfast everyday, so I’ve replaced that with coconut yoghurt or I’ve recently found a lacto free Greek yoghurt from Sainsbury’s. For treats I get dairy free ice cream, magnum have a Vegan version and honestly tastes just the same.

In terms of diet, Monday to Friday I am vegetarian. I focus on eating more veg and salad and try and healthy alternatives to carbs like bulgar wheat, quinoa, etc. I am very strict with my diet during the week.

On the weekends I allow myself one meat meal on Sunday and Saturday. And even when I do, I try to go for fish or chicken and avoid red meat.

I also find that regular exercise helps. I was a big gym goer, but fell off a few months before diagnosis because I was in constant pain. Since Covid, of course the gyms haven’t been open but as I started feeling better I started slowly building myself up to exercise. I’ve started skipping and using resistance bands to replace weight exercises every day. I know not everyone can do this, but perhaps a few times a week could help? Since I implemented these changes I’ve felt been pain free and felt really good.

Hopefully some of these changes may help you too!

All the best x

[Hidden in reply to TheLittleMermaid30]

Thank you so much for your advice. I’ll give it a go 👍🏽 X

[TheLittleMermaid30 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry it was so long!

[Gemwright]

I have had endo on and off for 24 years and I found that cutting out red meat, any processed food and dairy (I have oat milk and a small amount of cheese) really helped with my symptoms alongside 2000mg of evening primrose tablets a day and some specialised accupuncture specifically for women’s issues have all helped me. I have been clear of any endo flare ups now for 3 years after so many operations and miscarriages and infertility, I was at the point of a hysterectomy as I just couldn’t hack it anymore.....

I also upped my intake of fish and more fruit and veg and I try to just stick to those things now which in turn have also helped my ibs symptoms as it is believed the two illnesses are connected.

Just try a few things out and see how you go for 6mths - it’s not a one size fits all method for most people.

Wishing you the best of luck and health, it’s a horrible Illness to live with and I feel for you from a very long experience of it.

Gem x

[Hidden in reply to Gemwright]

Thanks so much! Will try your tips! X

[Jude07-]

Hi have has endometriosis for 18 yrs. After two operations im now on Norethisterone they are fantastic changed my diet. Eat plenty of greens, cut out sugar and white bread. Greek low fat plain yogurt, add berries, raspberries strawberries its lovely for breakfast. Changing my diet really helped my symptoms hardly any pain bleeding has stopped now for 10 weeks. Im praying it continues. Good luck Tulip84... Yoga is good to helps strengthen muscles and stretch pelvis. Amanda