Weight Loss and Endometriosis

flrancho · May 2015

I'm kind of curious if anyone here has endometriosis, or knows of someone that has it, and has tried to loose weight. What were your/their experiences? Did anything in particular help? Apparently struggles with weight is pretty common with endometriosis though out your life, from something I was reading yesterday?

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2004 and put on the pill (the main cause of my weight gain). I was taken off the pill about a year ago and am now going untreated for my endometriosis, because the pill caused a liver tumor (the reason I was taken off the pill). I'm a little concerned about loosing weight and then toning up and still having what others would call a "pot belly", but what in endometriosis would usually be referred to as "endo belly" - where you like you're in early pregnancy, but are not pregnant; and its due to pelvic inflammation from the disease. When I get to my goal, how can I tell if any "pot belly" is me being "skinny fat", or if its the result of pelvic inflammation from my endometriosis?

Tips or tricks to get motivated to exercise, wether it be strength training at the gym or walking around the block, at times of month when its a feat to get out of bed and be able to make it through work - let alone doing any kind of more vigorous activity, would also be appreciated.

socioseguro · May 2015

I wish that your endometriosis and liver problems will be under control.
Losing body weight is eating at a deficit, meaning you have to burn more calories than you eat.
If you can not exercise due to health issues, you have to eat less calories.
My suggestion is to focus on your health issues while eating at a deficit.
Nobody can spot reduce. Unfortunately. Your body will choose where to lose fat. Eventually, you will lose your belly fat, if you continue lose body weight.
Hugs and speedy recovery

notallwhowander · May 2015

Here! I have endometriosis. 2 laparoscopies in. They take so long to recover fully from so I've opted to wait as long as possible for the next one (even though it could risk my fertility).
I take Necon 1/50 daily, continuous (no breaks, no periods) for 10 years now. It's been big for keeping everything controlled. Maybe if the BC you were on was causing issues they can try a different type (there are many types). Just DO NOT LET THEM GIVE YOU A MIRENA FOR ENDO. It doesn't treat Endo no matter what they say. It works on the inside of the uterus and most women still have spotting. And if there is spotting you can bet your lesions are bleeding too.
Get a good Endo specialist to do excision surgery on you is your best bet. My twin just had it last year, and when I do have surgery again that's what I'll be having.
As far as pot belly goes, you never know. When I was diagnosed I was in incredible shape, my stomach looked great until I had my menses.

JustSomeEm · May 2015

I have endometriosis, and managed to lose 70 pounds and maintain that loss. As long as I followed CICO, I didn't have any problems at all losing weight. AND I discovered that being slimmer actually helps manage the symptoms. My advice? Find what works for you and stick to it. Don't do anything that you won't be able to do for the rest of your life (like give up whole food groups - unless you'll never touch that food group again). I also found that regular exercise REALLY helps manage symptoms. Good luck, honey. :flowerforyou:

ETA - I used to have pain while doing something as simple as walking during certain times of the month. I started a regular exercise program, and found that the walking pain was less if I was exercising regularly. I 'muscled through it' initially and exercised even though that pain was still there (though it WAS less painful), and now have almost no issues.

kamakazeekim · May 2015

notallwhowander wrote: »

Here! I have endometriosis. 2 laparoscopies in. They take so long to recover fully from so I've opted to wait as long as possible for the next one (even though it could risk my fertility).
I take Necon 1/50 daily, continuous (no breaks, no periods) for 10 years now. It's been big for keeping everything controlled. Maybe if the BC you were on was causing issues they can try a different type (there are many types). Just DO NOT LET THEM GIVE YOU A MIRENA FOR ENDO. It doesn't treat Endo no matter what they say. It works on the inside of the uterus and most women still have spotting. And if there is spotting you can bet your lesions are bleeding too.
Get a good Endo specialist to do excision surgery on you is your best bet. My twin just had it last year, and when I do have surgery again that's what I'll be having.
As far as pot belly goes, you never know. When I was diagnosed I was in incredible shape, my stomach looked great until I had my menses.

The Mirena helped my endo out a LOT! My insanely heavy anemia causing periods completely stopped and my pelvic pain got sooo much better!

OP - I totally know how hard it is! I have both endometriosis and PCOS. Weigh and measure everything that goes in your mouth...stick to a deficit. Unfortunately you can't spot reduce a tummy away

flrancho · May 2015

Thanks everyone. I'm eating at a deficit, and I do exercise when I feel well. Its just when I'm cramping or doubled over from the pain that I don't want to hit the gym or do walking cardio, even though I know I should. Know you can't spot reduce as well, but was worried that I'd never have a flat belly due to the prevalence of the "endo belly" that I mentioned, and how I would know if any "pot belly" I may have was fat or inflammation?

Also, I unfortunately do not have the option of trying Mirena or a different kind of pill. The type of liver tumor I have - an adenoma - is hormone induced and influenced. Basically, if I continue to take the pill, the tumor will get bigger. This type of tumor, if allowed to get bigger, can turn into cancer and/or rupture causing the liver to hemmorage. Even if the tumor disappears or I get it surgically removed, I still will never be able to have hormones again, even at menopause. That's why I said I'm going untreated. I even eat hormone free meats and am looking at cutting back my amount of cheese I eat, especially nearing that time of the month, as I've found if I eat "a lot" of cheese before my cycle, that I'm doubled over from pain. I'm not looking to cut it out, just cut it back during the week before my cycle - because I don't like hurting that bad. If your concerned, I am having this liver tumor monitored - at least check it had shrunk by about 1/3. If it doesn't completely disappear within a year or two, gets bigger, or becomes symptomatic, I will be getting it surgically removed - that's per doctors orders.

saratropolis · May 2015

I have endo also. I've had 2 surgeries in the past 2 years. I was diagnosed after a large cyst ruptured (it was the size of a cantaloupe and very painful) and I was in the ER right away. I had actually gone to the doctor 3 months prior to it rupturing because I was very sick for 6 months, but the doctor never checked for or mentioned the possibility of cysts

I learned my lesson though. I found that changing my diet helped tremendously. I reduced dairy and breads over time before I knew I had Endo (thinking I may have had some sort of digestive issue), and it turned out quite helpful in reducing inflammation. I'm someone who used to have bread, cheese and milk everyday so I cut it down slowly. Now I only have it occasionally as the inflammation and pain noticeably increases when I do eat it. Everyone is different though, and every body processes food differently. Try following an anti-inflammatory diet as you can. It's been shown to help symptoms for others. Also, try to go on walks when you can. It will help your blood circulation and your energy level. Is very challenging to go through this untreated. I hope you find something that works for you!

saratropolis · May 2015

After that super long post, I still forgot to mention… I was able to get a flat belly by watching my diet and drinking at least 3 liters of water per day. It's hard to maintain it without consistency, but don't give up!! You'll get there!

naturalalt · October 2016

A lot of the abdominal swelling from endometriosis is more estrogen related. It causes a greater retention of water. Sometimes following the Stanford FODMAP diet of foods to avoid as well as trying to avoid multiple sources of gluten will help.

Unfortunately depending on how the endometriosis is progressing (are there also fibroids or adenomyosis?) All the exercise in the world will not reduce the growths and flatten your belly. That being said, eating healthy and exercising will help to reduce some of the inflammation.

palolis · February 2017

socioseguro wrote: »

I wish that your endometriosis and liver problems will be under control.
Losing body weight is eating at a deficit, meaning you have to burn more calories than you eat.
If you can not exercise due to health issues, you have to eat less calories.
My suggestion is to focus on your health issues while eating at a deficit.
Nobody can spot reduce. Unfortunately. Your body will choose where to lose fat. Eventually, you will lose your belly fat, if you continue lose body weight.
Hugs and speedy recovery

No, it's not as simple as that. Endometriosis is a condition in which hormones are not in balance. It affects the estrogen/progesterone ratio, producing estrogen dominance and also the thyroid function. So, no, it's not about eating less and excercising more.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis four years ago and my OBGYN inserted a Mirena to "control" my endometriosis. It was terrible as I gained 20 pounds without changing my diet. I am a marathoner and Ironman 70.3, so I trained heavily and ate clean and nothing helped. I'm still battling with this condition, I will visit an endocrinologist in a couple of weeks to help with the hormonal imbalance.

Since the year started, I eliminated all grains, sugar and processed foods, I eat 1,400 calories a day and exercise 5 times per week (350-500 calories per session). Still, I haven't lost any weight.

It's so easy to say, just eat less and exercise more without looking at underlying causes. Only people with endometriosis and hormonal imbalances will understand how hard and frustrating it is.

I will post again after my visit to the endocrinologist. Hang in there ladies.

P.S. Some experts debunk the CICO theory http://www.caloriegate.com/calories-in-calories-out/11-experts-demolish-the-calories-in-calories-out-cico-model-of-obesity

nooramatra · March 2017

Sorry

Weight Loss and Endometriosis

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