NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTATION AS SUPPORTIVE THERAPY FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

In: International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science · 2026 · vol. 2(1(49)) · doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4753 · W7127689267
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This systematic review examines how nutritional interventions and supplementation, including omega-3s, vitamins, and probiotics, may reduce endometriosis symptoms and lesion size by modulating inflammation and estrogen metabolism.

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This systematic review evaluates evidence on nutritional interventions and dietary supplementation as supportive therapy for endometriosis, drawing on studies addressing inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, estrogen metabolism, and gut microbiome–related mechanisms (e.g., probiotics, short-chain fatty acids, and fecal microbiota transplantation). It synthesizes proposed roles for specific nutrients and bioactive compounds—including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D/C/E, phytoestrogens, resveratrol, curcumin, and melatonin—in reducing symptom severity and/or ectopic lesion burden. The authors emphasize that diagnosis is often delayed and that established treatments involve hormonal pharmacotherapy and surgery, while noting that further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant nutritional therapies. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it systematically reviews nutritional interventions and supplementation strategies aimed at modulating inflammatory, oxidative, angiogenic, estrogen-related, and microbiome pathways in endometriosis.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic disease characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It is associated with pain, menstrual disorders, and infertility. Despite advances in research, its aetiology remains incompletely understood; however, genetic, hormonal and immunological factors and microbiome disorders are believed to contribute to its development. Diagnosis of the disease is frequently delayed, and laparoscopy remains the gold standard for confirmation. Current treatment options include hormonal pharmacotherapy, most commonly oral contraceptives and progestogens such as dienogest, and surgical intervention, which is associated with a risk of recurrence and postoperative complications. An increasing body of evidence highlights the role of nutritional interventions and supplementation in modulating inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, angiogenesis and estrogen metabolism. Nutrients and bioactive compounds such as omega - 3 fatty acids, vitamins D, C and E, phytoestrogens, resveratrol, curcumin and melatonin may reduce the severity of symptoms and the size of ectopic endometrial lesions. The microbiome also plays an important role - probiotics, short-chain fatty acids and faecal microbiota transplantation demonstrate therapeutic potential through modulation of the immune response and estrogen metabolism. A multidirectional approach integrating pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment, and lifestyle modification may improve patients’ quality of life; however, further research is required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapies.
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NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTATION AS SUPPORTIVE THERAPY FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW DOI: https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4753Keywords: Endometriosis, Nutrition, Nutrients, Microbiome, SCFA, Phytoestrogens, Flavonoids, Resveratrol, Curcumin, MelatoninAbstract Endometriosis is a chronic disease characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It is associated with pain, menstrual disorders, and infertility. Despite advances in research, its aetiology remains incompletely understood; however, genetic, hormonal and immunological factors and microbiome disorders are believed to contribute to its development. Diagnosis of the disease is frequently delayed, and laparoscopy remains the gold standard for confirmation. Current treatment options include hormonal pharmacotherapy, most commonly oral contraceptives and progestogens such as dienogest, and surgical intervention, which is associated with a risk of recurrence and postoperative complications. An increasing body of evidence highlights the role of nutritional interventions and supplementation in modulating inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, angiogenesis and estrogen metabolism. Nutrients and bioactive compounds such as omega - 3 fatty acids, vitamins D, C and E, phytoestrogens, resveratrol, curcumin and melatonin may reduce the severity of symptoms and the size of ectopic endometrial lesions. The microbiome also plays an important role - probiotics, short-chain fatty acids and faecal microbiota transplantation demonstrate therapeutic potential through modulation of the immune response and estrogen metabolism. A multidirectional approach integrating pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment, and lifestyle modification may improve patients’ quality of life; however, further research is required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapies. References Koninckx, P. R., Fernandes, R., Ussia, A., Schindler, L., Wattiez, A., Al-Suwaidi, S., Amro, B., Al-Maamari, B., Hakim, Z., & Tahlak, M. (2021). Pathogenesis based diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, Article 745548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.745548 França, P. R. C., Lontra, A. C. P., & Fernandes, P. D. (2022). Endometriosis: A disease with few direct treatment options. Molecules, 27(13), Article 4034. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134034 Crump, J., Suker, A., & White, L. (2024). Endometriosis: A review of recent evidence and guidelines. Australian Journal of General Practice, 53(1–2), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP/04-23-6805 Mijatovic, V., & Vercellini, P. (2024). 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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 312(4), 1037–1048. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-025-08124-1 Downloads Published Issue Section License Copyright (c) 2026 Sylwia Nycz-Jucha, Idalia Myszor, Brygida Pinkowicz, Paulina Łobaza, Michał Madej, Maria Kubacka, Lucjan Kocemba, Gabriela Mroczka, Piotr Rachwał, Barbara Nowak-Misiąg This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. All articles are published in open-access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Hence, authors retain copyright to the content of the articles. CC BY 4.0 License allows content to be copied, adapted, displayed, distributed, re-published or otherwise re-used for any purpose including for adaptation and commercial use provided the content is attributed.

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