Can Endometriosis Make You Gain Weight?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows where it shouldn’t. People with endometriosis often experience significant pain before or during their periods or with sex. Some people experience chronic pelvic and low back pain, too.

But endometriosis can cause other symptoms aside from pain, like pain with stooling or peeing, nausea, and bloating. It can also impact fertility and lead to heavy periods. Some people also notice weight changes. But the relationship between endometriosis and weight gain isn’t straightforward. 

Quiz: Do I have endometriosis?

Does endometriosis cause weight gain?

Endometriosis doesn’t directly cause weight gain. 

But endometriosis treatment can lead to weight gain. Endometriosis can be treated with hormone therapy including:

• Birth control pills

• Progesterone injections, like Depo-Provera

• Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), like Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, like Lupron

• GnRH antagonists, like Elagolix

Some of these medications, like Depo-Provera, can lead to longer-term weight gain. Others, like Lupron, can cause short-term weight gain. Elagolix can sometimes also cause weight gain. Other treatments, like birth control pills and hormonal IUDs, can cause water retention and bloating, which makes it seem like you’ve gained weight.  

Also, some endometriosis symptoms can mimic weight gain. Many people experience bloating and water retention because of hormone fluctuations. These can make you feel like you’ve gained weight. 

Your body may look different, and your clothes may not fit the way they used to. And your actual weight may also have gone up when you use a scale. But water retention isn’t considered true weight gain because your body hasn’t built additional tissue, like muscle or fat. You may notice that your weight changes when your bloating gets better. These changes may follow your menstrual cycle. 

What is ‘endo belly’?

“Endo belly” is a common phenomenon experienced by people with endometriosis. It describes painful swelling in the lower abdomen. People may also experience bloating, too. 

People with endo belly may experience a sharp, stabbing sensation where the bloating occurs, making it difficult to complete daily activities. Endo belly can get worse over time without treatment.

Home remedies like heat therapy and yoga can help ease pain. Other treatments, like diet change or pelvic floor physiotherapy, can help with bloating. 

What factors contribute to weight gain from endometriosis?

While there’s no evidence that endometriosis directly causes weight gain, there’s evidence that having endometriosis increases your chances of gaining weight. 

We’ve already covered that hormone treatments for endometriosis can lead to weight gain. But there are other reasons endometriosis can increase your chance of gaining weight. 

Pain can make you less active

Endometriosis can be extremely painful. Chronic pain can make it harder to stay physically active during the day. Not only are you less likely to exercise, you might also be less able to complete daily tasks that involve moving around. Chronic pain can also affect how much enjoyment you get from daily activities, which means you may be less likely to engage in things like bike rides, walks, or other physical activity. 

Surgical treatment can lead to weight gain

Some people opt for treatment with a hysterectomy. This is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus and sometimes the ovaries. Surgery can ease and, in some cases, cure endometriosis. But a hysterectomy is a major surgery. 

Some people can have pain after their surgery that keeps them from staying active, and this in turn can lead to weight gain. If your ovaries are removed during surgery, you’ll enter menopause. You’re more likely to experience rapid weight gain if you have your ovaries removed.

Tips to manage weight when living with endometriosis

There are things you can do to manage your weight while living with endometriosis. 

Eat a nutritious and balanced diet

Because endometriosis causes inflammation, it may help to avoid inflammatory foods. These include things like caffeine, alcohol, trans and saturated fats, and added sugars. You can also avoid foods that can lead to bloating like high-protein and high-fiber foods during times in your cycle when you're more likely to experience endo belly. Trying natural remedies for bloating like fennel, peppermint, and turmeric can help as well.

Ease stress

Stress on the body often leads to weight gain. Meditating and other calming techniques can help you destress. Physical activity can also help improve your mood and lower your stress levels. Even a light walk, like cozy cardio, can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health.

Talk with your healthcare team

It’s also worth talking with your OB-GYN about your treatment options. Some hormone therapies are less likely to lead to weight gain than others. Switching treatment may help you maintain your weight. Your OB-GYN may also have other recommendations for treatments that don’t involve medications, like ablation therapy. 

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Written by:

Dean Shaban, MFA

Dean Shaban is a writer, editor, professor, and photographer based in Washington, D.C. After a year at WebMD, Dean joined GoodRx as a Health Editor in January 2024. He has a combined 7 years of experience in editorial and teaching.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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