Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet many still go years without answers. Symptoms can range from intense pelvic pain and painful periods to bloating, bowel and bladder issues, fatigue, infertility, and more.

And for those with IBS, it can be incredibly confusing to tease apart what’s gut-related and what might be something more. In today’s episode we will chat about what endometriosis is, the link with IBS and gut health, and how to seek support if you suspect you have endometriosis alongside gut issues.

⏱️ Chapters:

• (00:00) — Intro
• (00:30) — Welcome to the GutFit Nutrition Podcast
• (01:56) — Meet Cindy: dietitian & endometriosis specialist
• (03:00) — Cindy’s 15-year journey to an endometriosis diagnosis
• (06:55) — Limited conventional options & the rise of integrative care
• (10:54) — What is endometriosis? A clear, simple explanation
• (13:43) — How to get diagnosed: surgery, scans & red flags
• (19:01) — When endometriosis gets misdiagnosed as IBS
• (24:59) — Can you still have endo even if your scans are normal?
• (31:34) — Common overlapping conditions: PCOS, IBD, autoimmune & more
• (33:16) — Why IBS is three times more likely with endo
• (43:05) — How Cindy supports gut health in clients with endo
• (46:58) — Why constipation makes endo symptoms worse
• (53:17) — How long does it take to see improvements with treatment?
• (1:07:19) — Summary & Final Takeaways

👤 Today’s Guest: Cindy Dabrowska, MAN RD

To help me break this all down today is Cindy Dabrowska, a registered dietitian, with a masters degree in applied human nutrition. She is an endowarrior and founder of The Supportive Endo RD, a private practice that uses medical nutrition therapy and functional medicine principles to support women with endometriosis and infertility.

📌 Cindy's Website

📌 Cindy's Instagram

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👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

*Resources & Links Mentioned:*📌 Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analyses

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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!

Told to take digestive enzymes to help with your IBS, or combat meals you think might trigger your gut symptoms? Let’s dive into another listener question in this week’s episode! We discuss what digestive enzymes are, which ones are helpful for various intolerances (FODMAPs, lactose, etc.) and which you might want to consider (and skip!).

⏱️ Chapters:

• (0:00) Welcome to the GutFit Nutrition Podcast
• (0:47) Intro to Listener Q&A Episode
• (1:12) Listener Question: Should I Take Digestive Enzymes?
• (1:28) What Are Digestive Enzymes?
• (1:49) When Are Digestive Enzymes Needed?
• (2:12) IBS & FODMAP Intolerances Explained
• (2:49) Lactase Enzymes for Lactose Intolerance
• (3:13) FODZYME: Enzyme Blend for FODMAPs
• (4:20) General Digestive Enzymes: Are They Worth It?
• (4:55) EPI: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Overview
• (6:00) Diagnosing EPI & When to See a Doctor
• (6:22) Prescription Enzymes vs Over-the-Counter
• (7:12) Summary: When Enzymes Are Helpful
• (7:25) Final Thoughts

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👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

📌 FODZYME: Save 15% off your first order!

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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠

🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠

👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠

If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!

In episode 11, we’re answering the question “Why does fibre make my IBS symptoms worse”? You’ve heard (or been told) that fibre is good for you - it can solve all your IBS problems! And yet, when you eat more, you get more gas, pain and bloating. What gives? We dive into why this happens, and what you can do about it in today’s episode.

⏱️ Chapters:

• (0:00) Welcome and intro to the GutFit Nutrition Podcast
• (0:49) Listener question: Why does increasing fiber worsen my IBS?
• (1:44) Visceral hypersensitivity explained
• (2:28) Research: IBS pain response to gut stretching
• (3:34) Connection between fiber, microbiome imbalance, and symptoms
• (4:00) Three keys: fiber amount, type, and balance
• (4:57) Recommended daily fiber intake for IBS
• (5:20) How fiber fuels gut bacteria and supports gut health
• (5:44) What happens when fiber intake is too low
• (6:08) Final thoughts: You can increase fiber with IBS strategically

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👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

📌 Visceral Hypersensitivity & IBS

📌 When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate

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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠

🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠

👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠

If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!