You look 4 months pregnant, but you aren’t pregnant. It’s actually “endo belly”. This is just one of the common symptoms with endometriosis – extreme bloating and pain in the lower abdomen.
Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrial tissue) starts growing in other parts of the body. This can mean it ends up in places like your fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, digestive tract, bowels, and even muscles like the psoas (the hip flexor muscle). The tricky part about endometriosis is that it doesn’t stay put; it can attach itself to various internal tissues, making it hard to manage.
Research shows endometriosis is often linked to chronic inflammation, too much estrogen, and your body’s struggle to process these issues effectively. It’s also often partnered with adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and autoimmune disorders.
Some experts say that endometriosis is an autoimmune issue because of its interactions with the immune system.
Let’s jump to methylation – I promise it’s related!
Methylation might sound complicated, but it’a a main process for detoxification, producing energy, responding to stress, managing inflammation, and repairing genetic material.
The science-y part: It involves adding a methyl group to molecules, which helps control how your genes are turned on or off. A big part of methylation’s job is processing estrogen. When your body methylates efficiently, it can properly metabolize and get rid of excess estrogen. But if methylation is impaired—due to genetic factors like the MTHFR gene mutation, stress, or nutrient deficiencies—this can lead to estrogen dominance, making endometriosis symptoms worse.
You may have heard me say, “genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” This means that while your genetic makeup sets the stage, your lifestyle and environment determine what actually happens. Genetic mutations like MTHFR can mess with methylation, but things like your diet, stress levels, and toxin exposure play a huge role in how these genetic issues show up.
This explains why some people develop endometriosis later in life, even if they didn’t have issues before. Increased stress, poor diet, and inadequate detox support can overwhelm your body’s ability to manage estrogen levels, triggering or worsening endometriosis.
Boosting your methylation can make a big difference in managing endometriosis. Here’s how:
Genetic Testing: Knowing your genetic predispositions can help you tailor your lifestyle changes.
Nutrition: Make sure you’re getting enough nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, which are crucial for methylation.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can impair methylation. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, setting boundaries and getting enough sleep can support your methylation pathways.
Detox: Support your liver and gut health! Eat a diet rich in fiber, antioxidants, and cruciferous vegetables to help with this.
If you’d like all the details on endometriosis and improving methylation, listen to the full episode
