The uterus plays an essential role in female reproduction, and the endometrium is a vital part of its function for having children. This membrane lines the uterus, where eggs are implanted, and it maintains it during pregnancy. When you bleed during your period, it’s due to the shedding of this lining each month.
Endometriosis happens when the endometrial lining grows outside of your uterus, and 10% of women globally (190 million) deal with its effects. This condition affects many aspects of your personal life and causes pain and bloating, but in some cases, you can also develop what is known as endo belly.
To find out more about this aspect of endometriosis, let’s explore what it is, the other signs of endometriosis, and how it can be treated. Dr. Staci McHale and her dedicated staff at WHASN Sunset Valley are dedicated to helping the women of Las Vegas, Nevada, with a range of reproductive conditions, including dealing with the effects of endometriosis.
Short for endometriosis belly or endometrial bloat, endo belly happens when this uterine condition causes bloating, abdominal pain, and swelling that can make you appear pregnant. The endometrial tissue outside of the uterus behaves like tissue inside of it, except it has no way to remove the lining it sheds monthly.
This leads to irritation and scarring, as well as water retention and cysts, and can also cause small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, constipation, and gas. These unpleasant symptoms often occur just before or during your period.
If you experience endometriosis without endo belly, you may struggle with many other symptoms, including pain during or after sex, fatigue, pain with bowel movement or urination during periods, irregular or heavy periods, and spotting or bleeding between periods. It can also cause menstrual cramps that affect the stomach or lower back.
The risk of endometriosis and endo belly is increased by factors like family history, an abnormal uterus, early menstruation (under age 11), menstrual cycles of less than 27 days, and heavy cycles lasting longer than a week.
A combination of diet changes, therapies, medications, and surgeries can help you manage endo belly:
Inflammation and high estrogen levels often stimulate endometriosis, and anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce estrogen and ease inflamed areas. Focus on eating more high-fiber foods, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods.
For pain relief and an easier time coping with symptoms, things like yoga, acupuncture, physical therapy, and counseling can help.
Estrogen-suppressing medications help to reduce problems with endometriosis, so intrauterine devices (IUDs), birth control pills, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are useful for treatment.
A minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure can treat endo belly and related endometriosis problems when other methods fail to be effective.
How long you deal with symptoms like endo belly depends on the severity of your endometriosis, so to find the right way to help with endo belly and related issues, make an appointment with Dr. McHale and WHASN Sunset Valley today.
