How FODMAP diet can help gastro issues for endometriosis sufferers

This diet, initially designed for people with IBS, can help ease bloating and abdominal pain for women with endo.

A special diet designed by scientists can manage common but often overlooked endometriosis symptoms, a new study has found.

Monash University researchers discovered women with the debilitating chronic illness can reduce their gastrointestinal symptoms by lowering their intake of a key group of carbohydrates in a world-first trial.

The low FODMAP diet was originally developed by Monash researchers for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, but this new study shows it also reduces the abdominal pain and bloating that women with endometriosis can experience.

Endometriosis is a common, painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, where it doesn’t belong.

But Monash University senior research dietitian Dr Jane Varney said, while many treatment guidelines focus on managing pain and infertility, gastrointestinal symptoms were often overlooked.

A FODMAP diet can help with gastro issues linked to endometriosis.

“Some of them mentioned gut symptoms, but none of them mention treatment options to deal with those gut symptoms,” she said.

“But when you talk to patients, the gastrointestinal symptoms can often be quite problematic for them.

“About three quarters of them will experience some GI symptoms associated with their endometriosis.”

Dr Varney said their study found 60 per cent of patients “reported clinically significant

improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms” on the Low FODMAP diet, with reduced abdominal pain and bloating and improved quality of life.

“FODMAPS are this group of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in your small intestine and they’re rapidly fermented in your large intestine,” she said.

Apples and onions should be avoided on the FODMAP diet.

Foods with naturally high levels include wheat and rye; some fruits like apples and mangoes; vegetables like onion, garlic and leek; dairy that contains lactose and some nuts like cashews.

Dr Varney said the diet’s first stage is to reduce your FODMAP intake for two to six weeks, followed by a “series of challenges” to work out which of the different types of FODMAPS you can tolerate, and which you should continue to avoid in the long run.

“Given the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among women with endometriosis, and the absence of targeted treatments, this study highlights a diet therapy that will bring symptom relief to many women,” she said.

Melbourne mum Bec Chisholm has had endometriosis since she was a teenager and was surprised when the low FODMAP diet helped manage some of her symptoms.

The study, published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, involved 35 women with endometriosis, who trialled a FODMAP diet and a control diet – designed to be largely identical bar FODMAP content – with a break in between.

Women were given food for the duration of the trial and Dr Varney said she would like to conduct another study that tests how effective the diet is in the real-life scenario where a dietitian teaches patients how to implement the changes themselves

Melbourne mum Bec Chisholm, 32, has had endometriosis since she was 13, and took part in the Monash trial and said she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I was very surprised that it helped,” she said.

“I was less bloated, I had more energy and the pain wasn’t as severe as it was.”

HIGH FODMAP FOODS (to avoid)

artichoke

asparagus

cauliflower

garlic

green peas

mushrooms

onion

apples

apple juice

cherries

dried fruit

mango

nectarines

peaches

pears

plums

watermelon

most legumes

processed meats

cows milk

custard

ice cream

soy milk

yoghurt

honey

cashews

pistachios

Low FODMAP alternatives

eggplant

beans

bok choy

green capsicum

carrot

cucumber

lettuce

potato

zucchini

cantaloupe

kiwi fruit

mandarin

orange

pineapple

almond milk

brie

camembert

feta cheese

hard cheese

eggs

firm tofu

cooked meats

tempeh

corn flakes

oats

rice cakes

sourdough bread

dark chocolate

macadamias

peanuts

pumpkin seeds

pepitas

walnuts

Originally published as How FODMAP diet can help gastro issues for endometriosis sufferers