CNJ+ November 2023

WHAT IS ENDO BELLY? By Pam Teel

The term “endo belly” describes the painful and often severe abdominal bloating associat ed with endometriosis. This severe bloating is likely due to inflammation, growths, or other digestive issues resulting from en dometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause se vere pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Endometriosis can start at a person's first menstrual period and last until menopause. Women with endometriosis can expe rience pelvic or lower abdominal pain, pain with menses, pain with inter course, and pain during bowel move ments. Symptoms can be constant or “cyclical,” meaning that they worsen before and during the period, and then improve. Symptoms of endometriosis may include: very painful menstrual cramps, abdominal pain or back pain during your period, or in between pe riod, pain during sex, heavy bleeding during periods or spotting between periods, infertility-difficulty becom ing pregnant, and painful bowel movements. Some causes of endometriosis are as follows: 1.) Problems with menstrual period flow. (Retrograde menstrual flow is the most likely cause of endometriosis) 2.) Ge netic factors. Because endometriosis runs in fami lies, it may be inherited in the genes. 3.) Immune system problems 4.) Hormones and 5.) Surgery. Untreated endometriosis can cause significant pain, bloating, excess menstrual bleeding, and digestive distress. Over time, it can also affect a person's fertility. When endometriosis tissue grows outside the uterus, it can affect other or gans — especially the ovaries and reproductive system. Many cases of endometriosis remain over looked, because the symptoms of endo belly are similar to those of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Along with heavy menstrual periods, pain, and infer tility, endometriosis can cause symptoms such as, bloating, especially abdominal bloating. Ab dominal bloating is the most common symptom

of endo belly. Bloating happens when the lower abdomen swells with gas or air. When this happens, the abdomen looks bigger than usual and might feel tight or swollen. Endometriosis-related abdominal bloating may re sult from the gastrointestinal issues related to endometriosis as well as issues such as inflammation, cysts, and fibroids. Inside the uterus, this tissue normally builds up and sheds each month during the menstrual period. The endometrial-like tissue also builds up and sheds, but it does not have a way to exit the body. This can cause people with endometriosis to experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Endo belly often happens before or during a menstrual period and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Endo belly is a visible symptom of endometriosis

and often comes with other, less visible symp toms, such as nausea, cramps, gas pians, di arrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treating endo belly typically means treating endometriosis. Treatment op tions can vary from simple over-the counter (OTC) pain medications, hormonal medications, to inva sive surgeries.

The following self-care tips may help alleviate endo belly symptoms: • Consider an anti-in flammatory diet: Foods such as fruits and veg etables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can

help ease inflamma tion. Avoid inflam matory items, such as red meat, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol.

• Choose foods high in fiber: Eating high fiber foods such as apples, carrots, oats, almonds, and sweet potatoes can help prevent con stipation. • Try certain herbs and spices: Ginger and mint are common remedies for nau sea. Also, cinnamon and cloves may help reduce gas, cramps, and bloating. If a person with endometriosis experi ences gastrointestinal distress alongside abdominal bloating, they should contact a doctor. The doctor will be able to de termine if the bloating relates to endo metriosis or another cause and suggest appropriate treatment.

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CNJ+ | FORMERLY THE MILLSTONE TIMES

NOVEMBER 2023