Food/ diet for endometriosis

[Aalexaa]

Hi. Does anyone received any food/ diet recommendation from the doctor for endometriosis?

Nothing on NHS website.

[Completer40]

Try this x a good diet definitely helps, there were certain things I avoided during certain times in my cycle. Hope it helps xhealth.clevelandclinic.org/...

[Lex4]

As far as I know not supported by any clinical research, so may or may not work for you, but I have a lot of IBS-type symptoms with my endo so tried out the FODMAP elimination diet to see if anything made things better/worse (the idea is that you only cut out a lot for up to two weeks and try and reintroduce as much as you can). Everyone is different, but I’ve found sweeteners in low sugar alternatives are a trigger (so I particularly avoid diet versions of fizzy drinks/tonic water etc) and I can only take so much of what you’d think of as really healthy options - salad leaves, lentils, beans etc and have to go easy on alliums, especially garlic. There’s a good book that guides you through to all and I’d definitely recommend, even if just to give yourself peace of mind that you’re not missing something that would help!

[Chillyoga in reply to Lex4]

I wish “they’d” do some research so we aren’t always guessing - I’m similar and think fodmap is the way to go to try at least.Things like dried lentils, onions and garlic. In my luteal phase I also try to cut down on caffeine and alcohol. Fatty, greasy, processed foods are also really triggering fo me.

Basically a healthy plate seems to be best!

It’s all about experimenting with what makes you feel worse/ best…

[A5555 in reply to Lex4]

Do you know how long it takes for symptoms to show following eating trigger foods? I’m struggling to work out which is triggering it

[Lex4 in reply to A5555]

It’s a while since I did it and I can’t remember all the timings but I used a book that guides you all through it step by step (3 different options in terms of the complexity of following it depending on how granular you want to get - I went for the middle option). I borrowed this book from a friend and it was so helpful. There are versions of this free online but they differ in some aspects and I found it helpful to understand the background to the method which is at the start of the book. It also has recipes and workaround tips (such as frying garlic and onions in oil then using just the oil for flavour if alliums are one of your triggers). It takes a bit of patience, but for me was really worth it: amazon.co.uk/IBS-Eliminatio...

[BookBimbles]

There are clinical nutritionists who can advise but only available privately (there’s a national regulatory body & website where you can look up the registry to find one). I went with one specialising in Womens health / endo. A friend was referred to an NHS Dieticians, but only for IBS. I’ve found diet helped with IBS but not really with period pain. But others it can help - or atleast avoid it being worse.

[Narcica]

Hi Aalexaa, I am a clinical nutritionist. You can look up for a low FODmap diet and start with elimination phase by not eating any of the high content foods. Later on add it back one by one to see which one triggers your symptoms. You can also request a blood test that would help you found out intolerances. I also have to tell you that not one of the endo specialists knows anything about special dietary restrictions. Not any of the GP-s. Endo and IBS has similar symptoms and trigger foods but keep in mind that we are all different so for example a trigger food for you might not be a trigger food for someone else. That is why personalized lifestyle advices are very important. Hope I could help you x

[Littlepeax in reply to Narcica]

I was going to suggest AIP protocol. Helped me massively with my endo pain xx

[A5555 in reply to Narcica]

How long does it take for symptoms to show following eating a trigger food? Does it take a few hours or next day etc? Trying to figure out my own trigger foods and I’m struggling a bit x

[Narcica in reply to A5555]

It’s different for everyone, also keep in mind that we all have different sensitivity for certain amounts as well. For example onions are very high in FODmap, but me personally can digest a small amount around 10-15 grams. The way to find out is to eliminate every trigger foods such as gluten,dairy, soy, legumes, etc (you can find lists online) for around 2-3 weeks. Then start adding back only one types like you add back gluten for a couple of days. I had a client who had a slice of plain white toastie and around an hour later she immediately felt the difference. For me gluten takes a couple of hours around a half day and then I am on the toilet for a whole day and in agony cramps wise.

ALSO LADIES (and everyone!) PLEASE ABOUND ANY TYPES OF SWEETENERS THAT ENDS IN “ol” like steviol and erythritol,Malitol is the worst. Better use for example Aspartame and the stevia leaf itself. x

[EmB18]

I've heard of people getting a referral to a dietician for IBS symptoms but not for endo without IBS. Although there is some research on diet and endo, there isn't enough of it and it doesn't have large enough sample sizes to make it into NICE guidelines which is what GPs usually follow. If you google anti-inflammatory diets there is plenty of info online that may help.

[Mrs90]

I’m no expert but discovered that anything with yeast and anything with soya at different times in my cycle had an effect. The bad news is alcohol is off but the good news is most cakes don’t have the same effect. I would go with a food diary and see what particularly affects you. All the best on your journey.

[EndoTTC]

Hi,

I've found the book 'Endometriosis a key to healing through nutrition by Michael Vernon and Dian Shepperson Mills' very informative.

amazon.co.uk/Endometriosis-...