The horror of endometriosis is never ending. Just when you think you may have gotten the hang of this monstrosity, something new weasels its way into our lives, which is already hanging by a thread.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out if something you’re going through is because of the endo or because something else is wrong with your body; more often than not, it's because of systemic inflammation caused by the endometriosis.
One such symptom is the nausea caused by endometriosis.
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in people with endometriosis. In fact, some research has found that GI symptoms are almost as common as gynecological symptoms, with 90 percent Trusted Source of study participants reporting some type of GI symptom.
One 2015 study Trusted Source found that endometriosis lesions on or near a person’s bowel were associated with nausea and vomiting.
Endometrial lesions on or near the bowel irritate gastrointestinal nerves, producing nausea and cramping. As lesions grow, they can adhere to the intestine wall and disrupt normal motility. Individuals often report that deep bowel infiltration correlates with more severe nausea and bloating, making lesion mapping critical for effective symptom relief and guiding excision surgery decisions.
When inflammatory compounds, like cytokines (small, soluble proteins that act as chemical messengers in the body ) and prostaglandins (lipid compounds that the body produces locally in response to tissue damage, injury, or infection ), build up in the pelvis, they irritate the visceral nerves connected to the stomach, which triggers feelings of nausea. High prostaglandin levels also drive uterine contractions and digestive spasms. For instance, when pelvic fluid carrying these inflammatory chemicals comes into contact with bowel tissue, nearby nerve endings signal nausea to the brain. This direct link explains why anti-inflammatory treatments are often effective at easing both pelvic pain and queasiness.
When experiencing endometriosis-related nausea, it is often accompanied by several other gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
Bloating and fullness: a persistent feeling of abdominal swelling, particularly after eating.
Bowel irregularity: shifts in bowel habits, frequently alternating between diarrhea and constipation.
Lower abdominal cramping: sharp, painful spasms throughout the lower stomach area.
Post-meal pelvic pressure: an increased sensation of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis after consuming food.
Vomiting: episodes of throwing up, which typically occur during severe symptom flare-ups.
Remedies that may help:
Stay upright: keeping yourself upright can aid in digestion and may help nausea pass. Try to avoid motions that compress your abdomen, like bending over.
Try ginger: some research has suggested that ginger may be helpful for mild nausea as well as for menstrual cramps. You may want to try sipping ginger tea while you’re nauseous.
Stay hydrated: nausea can sometimes lead to vomiting, which can cause dehydration. This is why it’s important to stay hydrated. If it’s hard to keep fluids down, try taking regular, small sips of water.
Distract yourself: activities like reading a book, watching TV, or listening to music may help take your mind off of your nausea.
Get fresh air: breathing in some fresh air may also help ease feelings of nausea. Try opening a window or going outside until you start to feel better.
Eat bland, simple foods: such as bananas, rice, applesauce, white rice, unseasoned skinless chicken and toast which are gentle on the stomach.
Sip liquids slowly: drink cold water, electrolyte solutions, or clear broths in tiny sips throughout the day rather than chugging a large glass at once
Eat smaller, frequent meals: avoid overloading your digestive system. Stick to small portions every few hours to prevent dips in blood sugar that worsen nausea.
Avoid triggers: steer clear of greasy, fried, overly sweet, or spicy foods, as well as those with strong odors
