For many individuals living with endometriosis, digestive symptoms like bloating, nausea, and stomach pain are all too familiar. But, in some cases, these issues may point to a coexisting condition known as gastroparesis, a gastrointestinal motility disorder that slows down digestion. While endometriosis and gastroparesis are separate diagnoses, they can be deeply interconnected—and managing both requires specialized care.
At PRM, our pelvic pain and endometriosis specialists understand this complex overlap and offer a comprehensive, whole-body approach to diagnosis, treatment, and long-term symptom relief.
What Is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach muscles don’t contract properly, causing delayed emptying of food into the small intestine. Common symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting (especially of undigested food)
- Early fullness during meals
- Bloating and upper abdominal discomfort
- Poor appetite or unintentional weight loss
- Acid reflux and indigestion
How Are Endometriosis and Gastroparesis Connected?
While these conditions affect different systems in the body, they often go hand-in-hand for people with chronic pelvic pain. Here’s how:
1. Nerve Involvement
Endometriosis can impact the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like digestion. If the vagus nerve or pelvic nerves are affected by inflammation or scar tissue, it can interfere with stomach motility and slow digestion—contributing to gastroparesis symptoms.
2. Endometriosis on Digestive Organs
In some cases, endometriosis implants can be found on the stomach, intestines, or bowel, causing inflammation, pain, and dysfunction in the digestive tract.
3. Systemic Inflammation
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammation may impair gut motility and disrupt hormone signaling that regulates digestion, particularly during the menstrual cycle.
4. Coexisting Conditions
Patients with endometriosis are more likely to be diagnosed with conditions like SIBO, IBS, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome—all of which can contribute to or worsen gastroparesis.
The Challenge of Diagnosis
Because endometriosis and gastroparesis share many overlapping symptoms, patients are often misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed for years. If you’ve experienced both pelvic pain and chronic digestive issues, it’s important to work with a team that understands the full-body impact of endometriosis.
Specialists Help Manage Endometriosis and Gastroparesis
At PRM, our team of pelvic pain and endometriosis specialists recognize the complex connection between gynecologic and gastrointestinal symptoms. Our goal is to shorten your suffering time and provide clear, compassionate care.
Here’s how PRM can help:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We take the time to understand your full symptom history—across pelvic, GI, urologic, and musculoskeletal systems—to identify all contributing factors.
- The PRM Protocol™: Our patented protocol uses a combination of targeted pelvic floor injections, physical therapy coordination, and functional medicine principles to reduce inflammation, calm the nervous system, and improve quality of life.
- Collaboration with GI Specialists: If gastroparesis is suspected, we can help coordinate gastric emptying studies and refer you to trusted GI partners while continuing to treat the pelvic pain that often accompanies or contributes to your symptoms.
- Long-Term Support: Whether you’ve already had excision surgery or are just beginning your diagnostic journey, PRM offers long-term support for managing chronic pelvic pain and its overlapping symptoms, including GI dysfunction.
When to Seek Help
If you’re dealing with:
- Cyclical or chronic bloating, nausea, or vomiting
- Abdominal pain that gets worse around your period
- A history of endometriosis or pelvic pain
- Difficulty getting answers from providers who focus only on one system
…it’s time to consider an integrated approach.
Endometriosis Symptom Relief is Possible
Endometriosis and gastroparesis are both life-altering conditions—but they don’t have to define your life. At PRM, we believe patients deserve to be heard, understood, and offered real solutions. If you’re struggling with overlapping digestive and pelvic symptoms, our team is here to help guide you toward a diagnosis and create a treatment plan tailored to your body and your goals.
