Self-managed dietary changes and functional gut symptoms in endometriosis: A qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Gynecology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition frequently presenting with gastrointestinal issues, often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Current endometriosis guidelines lack formal endorsement of dietary interventions, and patient self-management strategies remain poorly understood.
• Understanding patient-led dietary practices is crucial for improving care and symptom management in endometriosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nutritional practices and self-management strategies employed by individuals with endometriosis for gastrointestinal symptom relief.
• To explore the perceived impact of these dietary changes on participants' overall health and well-being.
• To identify unmet needs for professional support in managing diet-related symptoms of endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK.
• Participants were recruited via social media endometriosis support groups.
• Interviews were conducted virtually and analyzed thematically to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• All interviewed participants reported making significant dietary changes, often excluding major food groups like dairy, gluten, vegetables, fruits, and animal products.
• These dietary modifications led to adverse effects on weight, nutritional status, and participants' relationship with food.
• Key themes included the impact of pain, severe gut symptoms, the consequences of dietary changes, and the search for dietetic support, all underpinned by feelings of dismissal and lack of timely care.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with endometriosis often adopt restrictive eating patterns in an attempt to manage gut symptoms.
• There is a clear demand for professional, particularly dietitian, support to guide dietary management, ensure nutritional adequacy, and address weight concerns in endometriosis care.
• Integrating dietitians into endometriosis care pathways is essential for alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and supporting overall patient health.