Millions of women worldwide (176 million to be exact) live with endometriosis, including one in ten women of reproductive age in the UK.1https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/endometriosis/background-information/prevalence/ It can be a very difficult condition to treat, and women are currently only offered strategies to manage their symptoms. However, emerging research suggests a potential link between endometriosis and gut health. This article looks at the latest science linking endometriosis to the composition of the microbiome, and what you can do to improve your gut health.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition characterised by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Some of this tissue grows in other areas, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other organs, such as the bladder and bowel. During the menstrual cycle, this tissue acts just like endometrial tissue: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. However, because this tissue is outside the uterus, the blood has nowhere to go. This can lead to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue, which can cause pain, especially during menstruation, intercourse, or bowel movements.
Symptoms range from mild to severe and will affect every woman differently. They may include:
- Pelvic pain – usually worse during the menstrual cycle.
- Pain during or after intercourse.
- Pain when urinating or passing stools during the menstrual cycle.
- Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in the urine or stools during the menstrual cycle.2https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/royal-college-of-nursing/documents/publications/2015/march/pub-004777.pdf
- Difficulty getting pregnant.3https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/
The connection to your gut
Endometriosis has been associated with gut dysbiosis – an imbalance in the delicate gut ecosystem. This could be due to low microbial diversity, a loss of beneficial bacteria, and/or an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Specifically, endometriosis appears to be associated with an increased presence of pathogens Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli as well as Fusobacterium.4https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.add1531 This dysbiosis can contribute to chronic inflammation, worsening endometriosis symptoms and potentially causing further progression of the condition.5https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230614220552.htm6https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01956-47https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(23)00221-5/fulltext
Endometriosis has also been linked to oestrogen metabolism, which is regulated by the gut microbiome – specifically the Oestrolobome. Therefore, imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to abnormal oestrogen metabolism, potentially influencing the development and growth of endometriosis.8https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/health_article/192/ Read more about how to balance hormones by improving your gut health here!
Chuckling Goat’s gut health protocol, which includes Kefir and a gut-healthy diet, is a safe and natural way to work with endometriosis.9https://rscbayarea.com/blog/probiotic-foods-endometriosis When combined, probiotics, such as Kefir, and prebiotics, like our Complete Prebiotic, can promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to improvements in digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being.
For more articles on how the gut microbiome is linked to hormones, take a look at Menopause? Here’s what you need to know and Meet Shatavari – the Queen of herbs!
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