The Impact of Nutrition on Endometriosis Complaints in Patients Using and Not Using Hormone Therapy

Agnieszka Pelc, Ewelina Polak-Szczybyło
Nutrients · 2025 · vol. 17(17) , pp. 2889 · doi:10.3390/nu17172889 · PMID:40944277 · PMC12430643 · W4414066073
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This study found women with endometriosis on hormone therapy reported more pain and functional disruption, and diet influenced symptom severity and functioning for both hormone therapy and non-hormone therapy groups.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Main symptoms include pain in the sacrum, pelvis, and abdomen, occurring at various stages of the menstrual cycle or during intercourse. These symptoms can severely affect daily functioning and quality of life. METHODS: The study involved 200 women aged 18-47, divided into two groups. The WHT group (N = 100) included women with endometriosis not receiving hormone therapy, and the HT group (N = 100) included women undergoing hormone treatment. An anonymous questionnaire was used, comprising a VAS, the FFQ-6 food frequency questionnaire, and questions regarding menstruation-related symptoms and effects. RESULTS: Women in the HT group reported higher pain levels (Me = 8.0 vs. 7.0) and more frequent negative impacts on academic/work performance (p = 0.008) than the WHT group, who reported higher work attendance (p = 0.043). In the WHT group, consumption of sugar, honey (p = 0.019), sweet cereals (p = 0.023), and sweetened beverages (p = 0.036) was associated with absences and concentration difficulties (p = 0.010). In contrast, in the HT group, those reporting absences consumed more nuts and vegetables (p = 0.024; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis undergoing hormone therapy report more severe pain and more frequent disruptions in daily functioning. Both hormone therapy and diet significantly influence the intensity of menstrual symptoms as well as the ability to function professionally and socially.

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Outcome instruments

VAS-pain

Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Endometriosis

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (43)

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