Celiac And Endometriosis

[Miss Emily]

This is by no means complete. However, some members of my Celiac Support Group requested information regarding a possible link between Celiac and Endometriosis. As a sufferer of both I have made it a point to learn as much as I can about it. I thought I would post this and hopefully it will help some of you. Please feel free to correct, add, ect.

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First of all, I would like to state that we are obviously in the "Dark Ages" when it comes to knowledge, awareness and research regarding Celiac Disease. On top of that, it has only been in the past century that women's health has been seriously studied and even less that reproductive issues such as Endometriosis have been studied. Therefore, we must be our own advocates and arm ourselves with the most recent and valid information regarding our health. This also means that much of the information you will be reading is controversial and continued study. As many of us know who suffer from Endometriosis the medical communities best answer for what causes Endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus is that "they just don't know." Even the most promising physicians will only add "yet" to that sentence. Therefore, I elect, decide for yourself and read, read, read! If your physician discourages you from asking questions regarding your research, move on! Most of the articles and information I have regarding the link between Celiac Disease and Endometriosis (as well as Infertility) is in the form of hard copy materials. I have several printed scholarly journals, excerpts from medical journals, marked pages and chapters in books, etc. However, I had no difficulty finding a wealth of knowledge online regarding such subjects. The only disclaimer I will mention of this information is that you must be a subjective reader as these are online resources. I hope they help you and please feel free to ask any questions. I will do my best to find the answer. Good luck!

From my understanding there is more than one possible relation between Celiac and Endometriosis. One theory is that Endometriosis may be an autoimmune disease itself and therefore linked to or caused by other autoimmune diseases, such as Celiac. Another theory is that a weakened immune system causes and worsens Endometriosis, Celiac sufferers have severely depleted immune systems. Another, that untreated celiac disease can lead to an excessive sensitization of the intestinal nerves, and therefore worsen the pain from endometriosis. Another, is that you can improve Endometriosis symptoms by strengthening your immune system so that it can destroy endometrial tissue found outside the uterus. I could go on and on, but from what I have read the studies and information comes full circle the more you learn about both diseases and it becomes obvious that there is a very strong connection. While Celiac does is not a sole cause of Endometriosis it obviously can cause and worsen it for many patients.

Links:

Open Original Shared Link (several excerpts regarding the link between endometriosis and immune system disease and response)

"Many researchers think a faulty immune system plays a part in endometriosis. In women with the disease, the immune system fails to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Plus, a recent study shows that immune system disorders (health problems in which the body attacks itself) are more common in women with endometriosis." (Open Original Shared Link)

"some studies have shown alternations in the immune response in women with endometriosis, which may affect the body's natural ability to recognize and destroy any misdirected growth of endometrial tissue" (Open Original Shared Link)

Open Original Shared Link (discussion regarding endometriosis being caused or affected by weakened immune system and/or allergies)

Open Original Shared Link (discussion of Endometriosis being an autoimmune disease and/or affected by an autoimmune disease)

Open Original Shared Link (Excerpt below, plus more on the site. Has references cited to find more information and medical documentation)

"It has been suggested that endometriosis is an auto-immune condition and if the immune system is compromised with a food intolerance, then removing that food from the diet can, in some people, have an effect. Common intolerances in people with endometriosis are wheat, sugar, meat and dairy. Avoiding foods high in hormones and inflammatory fats also appears to be important in endometriosis pain management. Eating foods high in indole-3-carbinol, such as cruciferous vegetables appears to be very helpful in balancing hormones and managing pain, as do omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA. The use of soy has been reported to both alleviate pain and to aggravate symptoms, making its use questionable." (Dian Mills & Michael Vernon. "Endometriosis A Key to Healing and Fertility through Nutrition")

[strawberrynin]

I am grateful that you have posted these. I've been struggling with so many issues for my lifetime, and now I'm starting to get some clue about there being a single cause. Endometriosis is one of them, as well as low hemoglobin levels...etc etc. I won't bother with a full medical inventory, but I'll just say the more I research, the more I realize that I'm probably celiac and going gluten free is probably the best decision I've ever made medically for myself. With any luck, my last surgery for endometriosis, PCOS and adhesion will be on Friday.

[Karrin]

This is by no means complete. However, some members of my Celiac Support Group requested information regarding a possible link between Celiac and Endometriosis. As a sufferer of both I have made it a point to learn as much as I can about it. I thought I would post this and hopefully it will help some of you. Please feel free to correct, add, ect.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, I would like to state that we are obviously in the "Dark Ages" when it comes to knowledge, awareness and research regarding Celiac Disease. On top of that, it has only been in the past century that women's health has been seriously studied and even less that reproductive issues such as Endometriosis have been studied. Therefore, we must be our own advocates and arm ourselves with the most recent and valid information regarding our health. This also means that much of the information you will be reading is controversial and continued study. As many of us know who suffer from Endometriosis the medical communities best answer for what causes Endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus is that "they just don't know." Even the most promising physicians will only add "yet" to that sentence. Therefore, I elect, decide for yourself and read, read, read! If your physician discourages you from asking questions regarding your research, move on! Most of the articles and information I have regarding the link between Celiac Disease and Endometriosis (as well as Infertility) is in the form of hard copy materials. I have several printed scholarly journals, excerpts from medical journals, marked pages and chapters in books, etc. However, I had no difficulty finding a wealth of knowledge online regarding such subjects. The only disclaimer I will mention of this information is that you must be a subjective reader as these are online resources. I hope they help you and please feel free to ask any questions. I will do my best to find the answer. Good luck!

From my understanding there is more than one possible relation between Celiac and Endometriosis. One theory is that Endometriosis may be an autoimmune disease itself and therefore linked to or caused by other autoimmune diseases, such as Celiac. Another theory is that a weakened immune system causes and worsens Endometriosis, Celiac sufferers have severely depleted immune systems. Another, that untreated celiac disease can lead to an excessive sensitization of the intestinal nerves, and therefore worsen the pain from endometriosis. Another, is that you can improve Endometriosis symptoms by strengthening your immune system so that it can destroy endometrial tissue found outside the uterus. I could go on and on, but from what I have read the studies and information comes full circle the more you learn about both diseases and it becomes obvious that there is a very strong connection. While Celiac does is not a sole cause of Endometriosis it obviously can cause and worsen it for many patients.

Links:

Open Original Shared Link (several excerpts regarding the link between endometriosis and immune system disease and response)

"Many researchers think a faulty immune system plays a part in endometriosis. In women with the disease, the immune system fails to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Plus, a recent study shows that immune system disorders (health problems in which the body attacks itself) are more common in women with endometriosis." (Open Original Shared Link)

"some studies have shown alternations in the immune response in women with endometriosis, which may affect the body's natural ability to recognize and destroy any misdirected growth of endometrial tissue" (Open Original Shared Link)

Open Original Shared Link (discussion regarding endometriosis being caused or affected by weakened immune system and/or allergies)

Open Original Shared Link (discussion of Endometriosis being an autoimmune disease and/or affected by an autoimmune disease)

Open Original Shared Link (Excerpt below, plus more on the site. Has references cited to find more information and medical documentation)

"It has been suggested that endometriosis is an auto-immune condition and if the immune system is compromised with a food intolerance, then removing that food from the diet can, in some people, have an effect. Common intolerances in people with endometriosis are wheat, sugar, meat and dairy. Avoiding foods high in hormones and inflammatory fats also appears to be important in endometriosis pain management. Eating foods high in indole-3-carbinol, such as cruciferous vegetables appears to be very helpful in balancing hormones and managing pain, as do omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA. The use of soy has been reported to both alleviate pain and to aggravate symptoms, making its use questionable." (Dian Mills & Michael Vernon. "Endometriosis A Key to Healing and Fertility through Nutrition")

Sorry, I realize this post is somewhat old, but I wanted to thank you for posting this. I was diagnosed with endometriosis last year and it's good to know my diet change might help ease this as well!