If you're living with endometriosis and also battling frequent bloating, abdominal pain, or unpredictable bowel habits, you're not alone, and now, there's growing evidence that diet could offer some relief. A new study by researchers at Monash University has found that a low FODMAP diet, originally developed for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can significantly ease gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body, most commonly in the pelvic area. The result? Painful periods, painful sex, painful bowel movements, fertility issues, and, frustratingly, a lot of GI complaints that make it hard to tell if it’s your gut or your ovaries acting up.
In fact, more than 75% of women with endometriosis experience gut symptoms that look suspiciously like IBS. Think bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and that charming feeling like there’s a war going on in your intestines.
The Low FODMAP Diet for Women with Endometriosis
Monash researchers put the low FODMAP diet to the test in a group of 35 women with endometriosis and GI symptoms. After following their usual diets for a week, the women were split into two groups: one followed a low FODMAP diet, and the other stuck to a standard healthy eating plan. Then they switched.
And the results? Sixty percent of those on the low FODMAP diet felt significantly better. GI symptom severity was slashed by 40% compared to the control group. They weren’t just less bloated and in less pain; their stools were more regular, and overall quality of life improved.
What are FODMAPs?
FODMAPs are just a collection of carbohydrates found in everyday foods—from apples and onions to bread and dairy—that aren't good for your gut. They're poorly absorbed in the intestines, where they ferment and create gas. Cue bloating, discomfort, and all the other symptoms you didn’t ask for.
The Low FODMAP Diet involves identifying and eliminating high FODMAP foods, then slowly reintroducing them to see what your gut can tolerate. It’s not a forever plan but a structured way to identify your triggers.
Why this Matters
Despite the high overlap between IBS and endometriosis symptoms, most treatment guidelines treat them like completely separate issues. According to Associate Professor Rebecca Burgell from Alfred Health, GI symptoms in endometriosis are “largely ignored in clinical guidelines”. That’s right, many doctors might not even ask about your gut when treating endometriosis.
For many women who have already tried everything, from hormonal therapy to surgery to cutting out gluten, dairy, and soy, this is welcome news. Finally, there’s a dietary approach backed by actual science that might make a real difference.
This study was published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
