The endometriosis belly, the endometriosis tummy, the endo bloat, the endo belly, the endo pooch - whatever you call it, you know what I’m talking about.
That weird phenomena where your belly suddenly decides to make you look six months pregnant, not only is it uncomfortable, sometimes painful (especially if you have adhesions), it can also affect us emotionally - whether it’s about our self-esteem or because it plays on our fears around fertility.
But what is endometriosis bloating? What causes it, and what can we do about it?
In this series of episodes, I’m going to be diving into all the above and more, and really exploring the role that gut health has in endometriosis.Today I’m talking about SIBO - Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth.
SIBO is a very common gut health condition, in fact, research has shown that 60-70% of IBS cases are actually caused by SIBO. To add to that, endometriosis is a risk factor for developing SIBO, so for those of us with endo and even with IBS too, this is a condition we want to be aware of.
SIBO is an accumulation of of bacteria and archaea in in the small intestine.
SIBO can cause damage to the small intestine and can cause malapsorption, nutrient deficiencies and intolerances.
The symptoms of SIBO are bloating, fullness, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, gas, burping, GERD or acid reflux. SIBO can also cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, headaches, rashes, swelling and nasal congestion.
There are three types of SIBO: hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulfide type SIBO.
Hydrogen sulfide type SIBO can also cause additional symptoms such as bladder pain, bladder frequency and urgency, generally feeling unwell, worsening food intolerances, histamine sensitivity, sulfur smelling gas, body pain, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet and worsening symptoms after Epsom salt baths and sulfur containing foods.
Hydrogen type SIBO tends to cause diarrhea.
Hydrogen sulfide tends to cause diarrhea but can cause constipation.
Methane tends to cause constipation.
Both hydrogen and methane together can cause constipation or diarrhea, or a mix of both (so sometimes you’re constipated, sometimes you have diarrhea).
Methane and hydrogen sulfide together can cause either or both.
All three types together can cause either or both.
Key signs of SIBO are symptoms, low B12, low ferritin, vitamins A/D/E/K deficiencies, low omega 3 levels, sometimes low albumin; leaky gut symptoms, and conditions such as interstitial cystitis, psoriasis, restless leg syndrome, rosacea, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Key causes to look out (there are many, but most relevant to our community) are endometriosis, abdominal surgery (inc. laparoscopy), chronic stress leading to slow gut motility, low stomach acid and low digestive enzymes, food poisoning and hypothyroidism.
If any of the above sounds like you, listen to this episode and be sure to tune into my follow up episode where I talk about SIBO testing and treatment.
A huge thank you to my tutor Dr Allison Siebecker for her SIBO Pro course, which has provided me with the information and training to be able to share this with you today.
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If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website.
I am now offering one-off two hour sessions for those of you who aren’t quite ready for a 12 week coaching programme. This intensive deep dive session will kick start your journey to living and thriving with endometriosis and give you a plan that you can take forward and work on alone. Click here to find out more about the programme.
My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here.
This episode is also sponsored by my free Endometriosis Diet Grocery List. This pdf list includes all the foods I buy on a monthly basis, categorised into easy sections. I share my personal endometriosis diet plan, free recipe resources, recommendations to help you get started with the endometriosis diet and nutrition tips. Download here.
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