Table of Contents
Endometriosis is a condition that mostly affects women in their 30s and 40s. Putting it simply, endometriosis occurs when the inner layer of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows into other parts of the womb, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and other pelvic organs.
The common symptoms that might suggest you have endometriosis include intense pain during menstrual cramps and during or after sex, and bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods. Some people also experience digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
Some women might also notice an increase in their weight when dealing with endometriosis, termed endometriosis weight gain. We will be investigating whether endometriosis causes weight gain and how you can manage this symptom.
Risk Factors for Endometriosis
While the causes of endometriosis aren’t completely clear, several studies have revealed factors that are linked to developing endometriosis. These factors include:
- Irregular menstral flow, as in cases of retrograde menstration, where shed tissues flow back and into the fallopian tube.
- Immune system issues, where the immune system fails to stop endometrial tissue from growing at the wrong site, leading to excess spread and growth
- Hormonal factors: levels of hormones such as estrogen are high in endometriosis and could play a role in the etiology of the condition.
- Genes also play a role; women with a family history of endometriosis are likely to develop it later in life.
Does Endometriosis Cause Weight Gain?
Endometriosis weight gain can occur in different ways. For one, it could cause bloating, which, when combined with constipation, might cause you to have an endo-belly and make you look like you’ve gained weight.
Also, estrogen levels are elevated in endometriosis. Your hormones are interdependent, and an imbalance in your reproductive system can affect the hormones that control your metabolism and cause you to gain weight.
Causes of Endometriosis Weight Gain
Hormonal imbalance
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition, with estrogen being the hormone responsible for endometrial thickening during the menstrual cycle. An imbalance in estrogen levels affects other hormones like cortisol and also your body’s metabolism, causing more fat production in your abdomen, thighs, underarms, and back. This causes you to gain weight.
Medications
Hormonal medications, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and vaginal rings might be prescribed to you by your doctor to manage your symptoms.
During the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone are responsible for making the endometrium thicken in anticipation of fertilization and implantation, and if it doesn’t occur, they also cause it to shed.
Hormonal medications may inhibit the growth of tissue and stop it from implanting in other parts of the body. With oral contraceptives and other hormonal drugs, some women have reported weight gain.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. This is a permanent treatment for endometeriosis. But it is usually done as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.
When you have a hysterectomy, your body begins to experience the symptoms of menapause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep difficulty due to reduced levels of estrogen.
Weight gain might result due to a slowed metabolism associated with an inadequate production of estrogen in the body.
Endometriosis and PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition associated with the presence of multiple small cysts on the ovaries, which causes various issues such as hormone imbalance, absent or inconsistent periods, fertility issues, hirustism (facial hair in women), and weight gain.
Endometriosis, on the other hand, is where there’s growth of endometrial tissue in other areas of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvis.
You can have both PCOS and endometriosis, as they have different causes, with PCOS being caused by abnormal hormonal behavior and endometriosis being caused by tissue disorders. These two disorders affect the uterus and can cause weight gain.
Treatment of Endometriosis
Following your doctor’s prescription, you can use hormonal drugs, such as contraceptives and progestins, to regulate symptoms and reduce the formation of endometrial tissue. Some options currently available for the management of endometriosis include:
- Combined birth control pills: Regulating hormones with birth control tablets combining ethinylestradiol (an estrogen) and progestins (synthetic progesterone) may ease symptoms.
- Progestin-only pill: This is a contraceptive pill that includes just progestin.
- Hormonal IUD: This intrauterine device (IUD) distributes hormones to minimize discomfort and bleeding.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or prescription drugs may help control the pain and discomfort you experience with them.
- GnRH agonists: These medications cause a brief menopause-like condition and ease symptoms by suppressing the function of the ovaries.
- Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: This is an injectable that prevents ovulation.
- Hysterectomy: In particularly severe situations, removal of the uterus may be necessary.
How to Lose Weight with Endometriosis
Eating a balanced diet
What we eat has an effect on our hormone production, so ensure you include whole foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help with hormone balance.
Reduce your intake of refined carbs and sugars, like soda and other processed foods, which are highly involved in weight gain.
Exercise regularly
Exercise helps to keep you in shape, regulate your hormone levels, and burn excess calories your body doesn’t need. Fats are inactive energy sources, so increasing your daily activity makes your body use the energy stored in fat, which helps you lose it.
Exercise helps to keep you in shape, regulate your hormone levels, and burn excess calories your body doesn’t need. Fats are inactive energy sources, so increasing your daily activity makes your body use the energy stored in fat, which helps you lose it.
Consider alternative treatment options
Weight gain may result from hormonal therapy and surgical procedures like hysterectomy. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about any of these options.
Other therapies are available, including using painkillers as required. Menstrual cramps may be relieved by over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
Modifications to your lifestyle might also be beneficial. Heating pads or warm baths, for instance, may help ease the discomfort and cramping. Frequent exercise may help you lose weight and manage your symptoms.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice you’re gaining weight faster than usual and you suspect it’s due to endometriosis, you should set up an appointment with your doctor to discuss it. Your doctor could then decide whether to make any adjustments to your treatment.
If you need help making any major changes to your diet, communicate with your doctor; they can refer you to a certified dietician for nutritional counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apart from weight gain, you can also experience bleeding and spotting between menstrual cycles.
Yes. This is called an endo-belly and is often seen in some women who have endometriosis. It is most often caused by bloating.
There is no direct link between appetite and endometriosis. However, some women experience a loss of appetite due to digestive issues like nausea and bloating, which can discourage the feeling of eating.
Hey Vitamins For Woman, can you elaborate on how hormonal imbalances cause weight gain for those dealing with endometriosis? I’ve been trying different diets but nothing seems to work. Thanks!
wow, didn’t know that endometriosis and PCOS could be connected. makes a lot of sense now. tysm for shedding light on this!
trying to balance hormones is like trying to herd cats, am I right? lol but seriously, gonna check out those supplements.
Absolutely, SaraJ! It can feel that way. But with the right guidance and supplements, it’s totally doable. Keep at it!
herding cats, haha good one. but really, does any of this hormone stuff even work?
If I had endometriosis on Mars, do you think the lower gravity would help with weight management? Just a weird thought lol.
Interesting read. It’s good to know that a balanced diet and regular exercise can make a difference. It’s not easy, but it’s worth trying.
While the article mentions exercise as a way to lose weight with endometriosis, isn’t it true that certain exercises might actually worsen symptoms for some? It’d be great to have more nuanced advice here.
Love this! Finally, some straightforward tips on managing endo and weight. The struggle has been real. Appreciate it!
One wonders if modern lifestyle and diet are the real culprits behind the rise in endometriosis cases. Perhaps changing our entire approach to food and exercise is key, more so than just treating symptoms.
Always looking for ways to balance exercise with my endo symptoms. It’s a delicate balance but good to see some reinforcement on the exercise part here.
so hey, does this mean if i get my partner to start exercising more and eat right, her endo would just vanish? looking for advice here, thanks.
Fascinating read on a complex topic. Your article provides a beacon of hope for those navigating the murky waters of endometriosis. Well done.
[…] also stop the ovaries from producing excess estrogen, which slows the growth of endometrial tissue (endometriosis) and causes more regular […]