Nutrition and endometriosis

The focus of the nutritional approach to endometriosis is to reduce pain, lower oestrogen levels, improve liver function, control prostaglandin production to lower inflammation, increase sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and improve immune function. The nutritional treatment is a combination of dietary and supplement recommendations together with general suggestions for stress reduction and lifestyle changes. Diets high in saturated fat increase concentrations of serum oestrogen, and women who ate meat once a day were up to twice as likely to have endometriosis compared to those who ate less red meat and more fruit and vegetable. The women with the highest intake of fresh fruit and vegetables lowered their risk of endometriosis by about 40%. Antioxidant-rich foods should be an important dietary focus for women with endometriosis, and antioxidant supplements should be included for around 3 months to enhance this effect.