IBS and Endometriosis: Why They Often Go Together

If you’ve ever been told you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but still feel like something doesn’t fully add up, you’re not alone. The bloating, cramping, bowel changes, and deep abdominal pain often blur the line between digestive and hormonal — leaving many women questioning their bodies and their diagnoses. For countless women, IBS is the first label they receive, not because it explains everything, but because it’s the closest answer available at the time.  This was my story.  Being diagnosed with IBS when I was 21 years old left me with more questions than answers.  I battled hard for over a decade before finding out that there was much more going on in my body than just gut dysfunction.  It’s a sad truth that many women are being dismissed and told that they have IBS when in reality they have endometriosis (endo).  What’s often missed is that IBS and endometriosis share a powerful overlap rooted in inflammation, pain sensitivity, and gut–hormone communication. When we begin to look at these conditions together, rather than in isolation, the symptoms finally start to make sense.  I like to think of endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome as conjoined twins in the pelvic/abdominal area.  They’re different yet so much alike.  

Did you know that IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion?  This means that there is not one single test that can tell you if you have IBS or not.  When other tests such as blood work, scans, colonoscopies and endoscopies come back normal, doctors will tell you that you have IBS.  When I received my diagnosis in my early 20’s I was basically told that “you don’t have Crohns,” “you don’t have Colitis,” therefore “it is IBS.”  My doctor told me to take an over the counter fibre supplement and then sent me on my way.  Well, let me tell you, this did not help me whatsoever.  I was left to figure everything out on my own.  My heart goes out to all the women who have gone through and are going through a similar experience.  It wasn’t until over a decade later that I learned about endometriosis.

There are many overlapping symptoms between IBS and endo.  These include:

• Bloating

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Pain with bowel movements

• Nausea

• Cramps   

  
  

Why do so many people with endo have bowel symptoms?  This is due to the fact that endo is not just a reproductive condition.  It’s a whole-body, inflammatory disease.  Endometrial-like tissue can grow on or near the bowel, rectum, bladder and pelvic ligaments which irritates digestive organs and mimics classic IBS symptoms.  Some women even have lesions growing directly on the bowel itself which causes a lot of pain.  I know for me, I had lesions all over my bowels and was in constant pain below my belly button.  On some days, it felt like someone was squeezing my intestines.  On other days it felt like my entire gut was full of barbed wire or like someone was taking a knife to my insides.  To be told “it’s just IBS” was honestly so incredibly disheartening for me because I knew that something wasn’t right. 

The thing about inflammation, whether that be from IBS or endo, is that chronic pelvic inflammation can also sensitize nearby nerves which can cause the brain to interpret pelvic pain as digestive pain.  Over time, this constant inflammatory signaling heightens gut sensitivity, making normal digestion feel painful.  This impacts emotional and mental health big time because now you’re afraid to eat because you don’t know how your body is going to respond.  As humans, we thrive on connection and a lot of connection happens around food.  Having fears around food and how your body will respond takes a toll that can leave you feeling discouraged, dismissed, disappointed and so incredibly alone (I’ve gone through all of this–the worst was family holiday get-togethers).  Women end up learning to “push through the pain” or to even doubt that their pain is real.  If endo is a part of the puzzle, diagnosis of this can be delayed by up to a decade or even longer!  In my opinion, this needs to change!

The good news is this: your body is not broken, and healing is absolutely possible. While IBS and endometriosis can feel overwhelming, especially when symptoms overlap and flare unpredictably, there are powerful ways to support your body through nutrition and lifestyle changes. When we lower inflammation, support digestion, nourish the nervous system, and understand how the gut, hormones, immune system, and stress response all communicate, the body can begin to soften. Flare-ups don’t have to control your life. With the right support, many women experience less pain, improved digestion, more energy, and a deeper sense of trust in their bodies again.

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If this resonates, and you’re tired of piecing everything together on your own, I’d love to support you through 1:1 coaching. I don’t just teach this work — I live it. I’ve walked my own long health journey, learned countless lessons along the way, and as I write this, I’m even recovering from excision surgery myself. I understand the physical and emotional layers of this work, and I believe deeply in compassionate, gut-centered, whole-body healing. You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re ready to explore what personalized support could look like for you, I invite you to learn more about working together.

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If you’re tired of navigating chronic pain, IBS, or endometriosis on your own, I invite you to book a free 15-minute Chronic Pain Clarity Call with me. It’s a gentle, no-pressure conversation to help you feel heard, understand the connections in your body, and explore supportive next steps toward reducing flare-ups.

Book Your Complimentary Chronic Pain Clarity Call

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I’d love to hear from you — if any part of this post resonated, or if you’ve experienced similar struggles with IBS, endometriosis, or overlapping gut and pelvic pain, drop a comment below. Sharing your story not only helps you feel seen, but it also helps other women know they’re not alone.