29. Gastro-intestinal symptoms in women with pelvic endometriosis

Yves Muscat Baron
In: Handbook of diet and nutrition in the menstrual cycle, periconception and fertility · 2014 · pp. 471–488 · doi:10.3920/978-90-8686-767-7.029 · W2498488394
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-13 ⓘ

Gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in the lower tract, frequently overlap with pelvic endometriosis, potentially leading to misdiagnosis, and may also involve the upper GI tract through neuroendocrine and immunological pathways.

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Abstract

Gastro-intestinal symptoms frequently overlap with the clinical presentation of endometriosis. The psychological profile of patients with endometriosis may promote upper gastro-intestinal symptoms such as gastro-esophageal reflux and dyspepsia. As a consequence, neuroendocrine-immune imbalance in response to high levels of perceived stress in women diagnosed with endometriosis has been demonstrated. The most common site of non-genital endometriosis is the lower intestinal tract. Lower intestinal symptoms, such as loose stools, tenesmus, constipation and abdominal pain may mimic or co-exist with those of endometriosis. The overlap of lower gastro-intestinal symptoms with those of endometriosis frequently lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Moreover, there appears to be an increased incidence of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in women diagnosed with endometriosis. A major portion of the intestinal tract is in close anatomical proximity to the female genital tract. Through neuroendocrine and immunological intermediaries, the upper gastro-intestinal system may also interact with the physiology of the female genital system. These variables have directed some workers to suggest an interrelationship between both systems including the occurrence of pathology. Gastro-intestinal symptoms may act as a guide to dietary modification which may result in improvement in the symptoms of endometriosis and an attenuation of its progression.

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Condition tags

endometriosisirritable_bowel_syndrome

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (32)

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