Evidence for an Association Between Endometriosis and Allergic and Non-allergic Food Hypersensitivity Is Lacking

Jocelyn O'Malley, Marina Iacovou, Sarah J Holdsworth-Carson, Sarah J. Holdsworth‐Carson
Frontiers in reproductive health · 2021 · vol. 3 , pp. 726598 · doi:10.3389/frph.2021.726598 · PMID:36304043 · W3210902011
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This systematic review found no strong evidence to support an association between endometriosis and allergic or non-allergic food hypersensitivity due to limited, low-quality studies.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This quasi-systematic mini-review used a systematic literature search of human studies published from 2000–2020 to evaluate whether there is evidence for an association between endometriosis and allergic and/or non-allergic food hypersensitivity. Among 849 publications screened, only five studies met inclusion criteria; across these, evidence quality was limited and endometriosis diagnostic approaches were not uniform, with at least one study including individuals without laparoscopically visualized disease. One included retrospective case-control study reported a statistically significant increased risk for non-allergic food hypersensitivity in endometriosis (P=0.009), whereas no studies found a statistically significant link for allergic food hypersensitivity alone. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it concludes evidence does not support an association between endometriosis and allergic/non-allergic food hypersensitivity based on a small, methodologically limited set of studies.

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Abstract

Endometriosis effects up to 1 in 9 women, and can be a severe and debilitating disease. It is suggested that there is a link between endometriosis and allergic hypersensitivities, including allergic and non-allergic food hypersensitivity. Best practice for managing endometriosis symptoms is holistic and includes broad multi-disciplinary care. Therefore, improving our understanding of common endometriosis comorbidities, including allergic and non-allergic food hypersensitivity, will assist in improving patient quality of life. This mini-review with systematic approach aims to explore the literature for evidence surrounding an association between endometriosis and allergic and/or non-allergic food hypersensitivity from the last 20 years. Of the 849 publications identified, five fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only one publication reported a statistically significant increased risk for non-allergic food hypersensitivity in patients with endometriosis ( P = 0.009), however, the endometriosis group was not uniform in diagnostic criteria and included individuals without laparoscopically visualized disease. No studies elucidated a statistically significant link between allergic food hypersensitivity alone and endometriosis. Therefore, based on a small number of studies with limited research quality, evidence does not support the existence of a link between endometriosis and allergic or non-allergic food hypersensitivity. Sufficiently powered evidence-based research is required, including information which better characterizes the patient's endometriosis symptoms, importantly the gastrointestinal sequalae, as well as specific allergic and non-allergic food hypersensitivities and method of diagnoses. Unequivocally confirming a link between endometriosis and food hypersensitivities is an essential step forward in dispelling the many myths surrounding endometriosis and improving management of disease.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

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