
People with endometriosis may want to avoid high intake of red meat, alcohol, and caffeine, as these can aggravate endometriosis symptoms.Įndometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease characterized by the growth of tissues similar to endometrium (tissues lining the inner layer of the uterus) outside the uterine cavity.

Foods that may be great for people with endometriosis include foods that are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.Consuming foods that reduce estrogen levels and inflammation can help alleviate endometriosis symptoms, as inflammation and increased estrogen level are the key things that cause endometriosis symptoms.Consult your doctor before you begin eliminating certain foods from your diet. Important: Endometriosis is an individualized condition, which means that any meal plan you follow should be tailored to fit your individual needs and symptoms. "Despite the lack of formal studies specifically involving the treatment of endometriosis, there is scientific data showing benefits of fasting in reducing inflammation and in aiding the body to eliminate unhealthy cells, while rejuvenating healthy ones." "Timed eating can impact a large array of bodily functions, including many issues relating to endometriosis," says Felice Gersh, MD, founder, and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine.

Seven-day endometriosis-friendly meal plan In addition to the foods listed above, a person with endometriosis should also consider avoiding: Individuals with endometriosis should also avoid foods that can interfere with hormone regulation, promote inflammation, or lead to pain or further progression of the condition. "These foods often contain FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), which are members of the carbohydrate family and tend to increase inflammation." "The endo diet is really an elimination diet that concentrates on taking away foods that are pro-inflammatory," says Avena-Blanchard. The results showed that 156 patients had a significant change in symptoms after removing gluten from their diet. Participants were asked to go on a gluten-free diet for one year. A 2013 study examined 207 patients with severe painful endometriosis-related symptoms. Going on a gluten-free diet may reduce pelvic pain in individuals with endometriosis. The results confirmed that women with endometriosis who consumed a higher intake of red meat were more likely to experience endometriosis-related pain. The study consisted of 81,908 participants, each of whom was asked to fill out a "food frequency questionnaire" every four years between 19. According to a 2018 study, red meat consumption - both processed and unprocessed - increases the development and the progression of endometriosis.

That said, here are some foods that have been linked to worsening inflammation in those with endometriosis: It's important to note that everyone is different and what may trigger pain for you may not for another. If a specific food causes pain or discomfort, eliminate it from your diet. Be sure to jot down how each food makes you feel. "It's not meant to be used to lose weight it's used to improve symptoms of endometriosis."Īccording to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, the best way to figure out what diet works for you is by listening to your body and recording the foods you eat in a food journal for 14 to 30 days. Important: "The endo diet is not a 'diet' in the traditional sense," says Nicole Avena-Blanchard, PhD, and assistant professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai Medical School. The endometriosis diet involves eating more antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding foods that may cause inflammation. Here are common foods to eat and avoid as well as a 7-day meal plan that may help manage endometriosis-related symptoms.Įndometriosis diet: Foods to eat and avoid "So, by cleaning up your diet, you can clean up your gut," Scott says. "The endometriosis diet involves limiting certain foods that can exacerbate inflammation and pain," says Tara Scott, MD, and founder of Revitalize Medical Group.īetween 3.8% and 37% of individuals with endometriosis are affected by bowel endometriosis or intestinal endometriosis. There's currently no cure for endometriosis. Endometriosis affects one in 10 reproductive-aged individuals in the US and an estimated 200 million women worldwide. Medical term: Endometriosis is thought to be a condition in which tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing inflammation and discomfort. Living a healthy lifestyle, taking pain-relief medication like NSAIDs, or in some cases, hormone therapy, and implementing an anti-inflammatory diet, also known as the " endometriosis diet," may relieve endometriosis-related pain and reduce symptoms - though more research is needed to determine how effective diet, alone, can be.
