While it’s typical for endometrial tissue to spread outside of the uterus when you have endometriosis, there are times when the tissue travels to different areas of the body. If it starts to grow in the bowels, then you have a condition known as bowel endometriosis. This kind of endometriosis often causes symptoms that might not be recognized for what it is so it’s good to know what to look for.
In bowel endometriosis, the abnormal tissue can either be superficial or deep. The superficial tissue is only on the surface while deep tissue passes through the bowel wall. Though the tissue tends to grow slowly, it can get large if it takes a long time for it to be found. Depending on where the tissue is located and the size of it, your symptoms can vary.
However, some of the symptoms you can experience include bloating, constipation, stomach pain, pain during bowel movements, unexplained menstrual discomfort, pain during sex, pain in the lower back, and rectal bleeding while menstruating. In rare situations, you may develop a blocked bowel.
Given that this condition affects the bowel, it’s common to confuse it for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), appendicitis, and Crohn’s disease. However, the main difference is that the symptoms of bowel endometriosis get worse before and during menstruation.
A diagnosis of bowel endometriosis starts with getting your medical history and getting the details of your symptoms. The next step is to examine your pelvic area for the presence of abnormal tissue or cysts.
Sometimes, they may suggest imaging tests like ultrasounds, X-rays, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to identify tissue damage as well as the size and location of any cysts. These tests will focus on the vagina and rectum.
In some cases, your doctor might request a laparoscopy. In this procedure, a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision near your belly button so a surgeon can see what’s going on in your bowels. If there are lesions, your surgeon may opt to remove them using the same procedure.
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The most common treatment for bowel endometriosis is surgery. Since there are different types of surgery, your doctor will determine which one will work best for you based on the size and location of the endometrial tissue.
For example, a segmental bowel resection can remove the affected part of the bowel and then reconnect the healthy areas. In rectal shaving, a surgeon shaves the endometrial lesions from the top of the bowel without doing anything to the intestines.
Another option is disc resection where the surgeon cuts out the small area where the lesions are located and then closes the opening that remains.
You may also receive hormone treatments that control your estrogen levels. It’s important to maintain estrogen at a particular level as this hormone can contribute to the growth of endometrial tissue in your body.
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Apart from traditional treatment options, your doctor may also suggest some changes that will complement your regimen. One change is your diet. Generally, diet changes can be helpful for those who have endometriosis. If the condition is affecting your bowel, in particular, health experts recommend switching to the Mediterranean diet – especially before and during menstruation.
In this kind of diet, you’ll be more focused on fresh fruits and vegetables, cold-pressed oils, white meat, fatty fish, soy-based products, and foods that are rich in magnesium. Studies also show that eating foods that are high in fiber can help and you should stay hydrated. On the other hand, you should avoid processed foods, red meat, alcohol, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Bowel endometriosis can disrupt your life if the symptoms progress. While it’s possible to confuse these symptoms with other conditions, you’ll know by how worse you’re feeling before menstruating. The key is to get diagnosed quickly so you can start getting treated.
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