Caffeine may increase inflammation and affect estrogen levels in the body, both of which could impact endometriosis.
In studies, caffeine has been shown to increase inflammation. Inflammation is good for the body to a certain extent — it's our bodies' healing technique. But too much of it, which is the case with endometriosis, causes chronic pain and other problems.
“Daily caffeine intake for a woman with endometriosis should not exceed 200 mg a day,” Hartung said. “This equals about one 12 ounce cup of coffee." That's the equivalent of one tall regular coffee at Starbucks. "Too much caffeine once again creates inflammation in the body and aggravates the digestive system.”
The link between endometriosis and diet
A 2013 study suggested that women who ate more vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids were more protected from symptoms of endometriosis, while those who consumed red meat, trans fats, and coffee may have experienced the opposite effect.
Although the exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, possible explanations include: Retrograde menstruation. In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body.
Endo belly is a severely bloated abdomen common in people with endometriosis. Some people say their swelling gets so bad, they look like they're pregnant. “People with endometriosis often have symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis,” says women's health specialist Megan Billow, DO.
Caffeine can also stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract, which can exacerbate symptoms like cramping, pain and diarrhea. Women who experience endo symptoms related to their digestive health may find that caffeine exacertabes these symptoms. Obviously, things like sleep and anxiety levels are also affected.
Pay attention to hydration
Drink plenty of water to stave off endometriosis pain. Dehydration causes electrolyte imbalances that can lead to and exacerbate cramping, so keep some water close by at all times.
Walking boosts those happy endorphins and reduces the nasty stress hormones. It can also reduce inflammation. Resist your impulse to stay on the sofa and not move. Even a little movement can help curb the pain of endometriosis.
Hormones come in the form of a pill, a shot or injection, or a nasal spray. Hormone treatments stop the ovaries from producing hormones, including estrogen, and usually prevent ovulation. This may help slow the growth and local activity of both the endometrium and the endometrial lesions.
Vitamin E has an antioxidant effect, especially on lipid peroxidation. For patients with severe endometriosis and associated infertility, supplementation might be useful as a complementary treatment. However, it may be more appropriate to use combined vitamin E and vitamin C supplements for pain management.
The vast majority of cases of endometriosis occur in women between menarche and menopause. The peak of the disease falls in the period between 25 and 45 years of age [18].
Vitamin D deficiency can cause several diseases, such as endometriosis. A study shows that women with endometriosis have lower vitamin D levels than women without endometriosis. In addition, a study by Qiu, et al (2020) states that vitamin D deficiency is a potential risk factor for endometriosis.
Endometriosis flare-ups can vary in length. For many, hormonal changes trigger flare-ups that occur during the menstrual cycle and can last a few days from the start to the end of menstruation. For others, other factors that cause increased inflammation and last up to several weeks can trigger flare-ups.
If you have endometriosis, one of the best ways to sleep is on your side.
Besides gynecological symptoms [3, 4], gastrointestinal symptoms affect up to 90% of patients with endometriosis [5]. The most common gastrointestinal symptom is bloating, followed by nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting [5, 6].
While it can't be cured, treatment of endometriosis can include: pain relief medications, hormonal treatments such as the oral contraceptive pill, the IUD 'Mirena', artificial progesterone, and surgery involving laparoscopy.
Studies have shown that there is an association between the gut microbiota and endometriosis. The specific ways and mechanisms by which the gut microbiota participates in endometriosis may involve estrogen, immune inflammation, and tumor characteristics, among others.