Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on endometriosis: A systematic review

Introduction: Endometriosis is a term for an inflammatory condition where endometrium tissue develops outside the uterus. Endometriosis affects about 190 million reproductive-aged women. While medical and surgical therapies are essential, adding dietary supplementation may increase the effectiveness of treatment. This study aims to provide evidence on the effect of omega-3 in endometriosis. Method: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for articles published up to November 2023 with keywords related to omega-3 and endometriosis. The inclusion criteria are clinical trials and in vivo studies investigating the effect of omega-3 on endometriosis. Exclusion criteria are studies not exclusive to omega-3 intervention and non-English articles. Results: Our study included six articles comprising two RCTs and four animal studies. The animal studies demonstrated that omega-3 reduced the volume and weight of endometriosis lesions, reduced inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1b, IL-6), and reduced total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels. However, omega-3 has no significant effect on pain severity and quality of life of endometriosis patients. Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties and have been suggested as a potential therapeutic option for endometriosis. Previous studies have shown that omega-3 positively impacts animal models of endometriosis. However, clinical trials have yet to show any significant benefits. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of omega-3 for endometriosis.