{"id":662548,"date":"2025-04-13T22:45:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-13T19:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/"},"modified":"2025-04-13T22:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-13T19:45:18","slug":"could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it&#8217;s possible"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af18baa73fde\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af18baa73fde\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/#What_the_researchers_did_and_found\" >What the researchers did and found<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/#Some_limitations\" >Some limitations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/#So_how_would_they_work\" >So how would they work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible\/#So_what_should_you_do\" >So what should you do?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/bowl-of-healthy-food.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/bowl-of-healthy-food.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/bowl-of-healthy-food.jpg\" alt=\"bowl of healthy food\" title=\"Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Endometriosis <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/10.1056\/NEJMra1810764\" target=\"_blank\">affects around 10% of women<\/a> of reproductive age. It&#8217;s a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/endometriosis\" target=\"_blank\">grows outside the uterus<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Endometriosis <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/10.1056\/NEJMra1810764\" target=\"_blank\">can cause chronic pain<\/a>, bloating, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain during sex and infertility. These symptoms can lead to reduced quality of life and mental health challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Although endometriosis pain can be treated with <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thewomens.org.au\/health-information\/periods\/endometriosis\/treating-endometriosis\" target=\"_blank\">medication or surgery<\/a>, these options are not suitable for everyone, and a significant number of women experience recurrent symptoms even after surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Many women with endometriosis look to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12906-019-2431-x\" target=\"_blank\">complementary therapies<\/a> to manage their symptoms, which can include dietary changes and taking supplements.<\/p>\n<p>A <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2831953\" target=\"_blank\">recent study<\/a> sought to understand different dietary strategies women with endometriosis use and how these affect their pain levels. The researchers found cutting down on things like dairy, gluten, caffeine and alcohol could improve endometriosis pain.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a closer look.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_researchers_did_and_found\"><\/span>What the researchers did and found<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, involved <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2831953\" target=\"_blank\">an online survey<\/a>. It asked women with endometriosis questions about any dietary changes they made and any supplements they used, and whether they found these useful for managing pain.<\/p>\n<p>A total of 2,388 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis completed the survey. Some 84% of respondents had made at least one dietary change, 67% of whom reported these changes improved their pain. Meanwhile, 59% had used supplements, 43% of whom considered these changes improved their pain.<\/p>\n<p>The following are some of the most popular dietary changes women had tried, and how they thought these changes affected their pain:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>drinking less alcohol (improved pain in 53% of women)<\/li>\n<li>eating less gluten (45%)<\/li>\n<li>consuming less dairy (45%)<\/li>\n<li>consuming less caffeine (43%)<\/li>\n<li>eating less processed sugar, which can be found in foods and drinks such as lollies, cakes, biscuits and soft drinks (41%)<\/li>\n<li>eating less processed foods, which include deli meats, savory snacks such as chips and sausage rolls, and chocolate (38%)<\/li>\n<li>following a low FODMAP diet, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/low-fodmap-diets\" target=\"_blank\">which involves<\/a> avoiding short-chain carbohydrates (certain types of sugars) to reduce gas, bloating, pain and discomfort (32%)<\/li>\n<li>adopting a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unisa.edu.au\/connect\/alumni-network\/alumni-news\/alumni-connect\/2023\/issue4\/eating-the-mediterranean-way-just-add-olive-oil\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mediterranean diet<\/a>, which is a diet high in plant foods (including fruit and green leafy vegetables), extra virgin olive oil, breads, fish, fermented dairy, and cereals and low in red meat, and processed meats and foods (29%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For supplements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>turmeric or curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric (improved pain in 48% of women)<\/li>\n<li>magnesium (32%)<\/li>\n<li>peppermint (26%)<\/li>\n<li>ginger (22%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_limitations\"><\/span>Some limitations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are some weaknesses in this study to consider when interpreting the results. First, it&#8217;s an observational study, which means we cannot say these dietary changes and supplements <i>cause<\/i> decreased pain, just that there <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ears to be a link.<\/p>\n<p>To be more confident about the effects of dietary changes or supplements, we would need to do randomized studies with control groups.<\/p>\n<p>Also, the participants self-reported dietary changes they had made in the past and past pain levels. This relies on memory, which can be unreliable.<\/p>\n<p>All that said, this sort of research does provide us with clues about what may work, especially when we combine it with our knowledge of the actions these foods and supplements have in the body.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_how_would_they_work\"><\/span>So how would they work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Given the inflammatory component in endometriosis, the findings of this study are not entirely surprising. Many of the dietary changes and supplements this study looked at have anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n<p>For example, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11043057\/\" target=\"_blank\">reducing alcohol consumption<\/a>, reducing <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10058108\/\" target=\"_blank\">processed foods<\/a>, adopting a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2213231721000173\" target=\"_blank\">Mediterranean diet<\/a> and using <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/nutritionreviews\/advance-article\/doi\/10.1093\/nutrit\/nuae221\/7985538\" target=\"_blank\">turmeric or curcumin<\/a> may reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the findings of this study seem to align with other evidence, while others don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39696836\/\" target=\"_blank\">recent review<\/a> showed the Mediterranean diet can lead to reductions in pain, however the relevant studies did not have control groups. This same review showed a low FODMAP diet reduced pain and improved quality of life in people with endometriosis.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2666577824000637\" target=\"_blank\">2024 paper<\/a> concluded there&#8217;s a lack of evidence to support a gluten-free diet for endometriosis symptoms. The authors argued that avoiding gluten to manage the condition should be discouraged.<\/p>\n<p>Peppermint has been reported to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/10408398.2023.2296991#d1e495\" target=\"_blank\">reduce period pain<\/a> and nausea. But I couldn&#8217;t find any specific evidence for endometriosis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_what_should_you_do\"><\/span>So what should you do?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you have endometriosis, this study and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s43032-020-00418-w\" target=\"_blank\">existing evidence<\/a> suggests following a Mediterranean diet or a low FODMAP diet may reduce pain. This current study also indicates reducing your intake of alcohol, sugar and processed foods may help.<\/p>\n<p>Importantly, these changes won&#8217;t do any harm to your overall health. In fact, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatforhealth.gov.au\/guidelines\/guidelines\" target=\"_blank\">Australian dietary guidelines<\/a> recommend drinking <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3908707\/\" target=\"_blank\">alcohol<\/a> and consuming <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0271531721000567\" target=\"_blank\">processed foods<\/a> in moderation, given links to a range of chronic diseases. So these changes may have other benefits too.<\/p>\n<p>However, some of the dietary changes reported in this study may be problematic.<\/p>\n<p>For example, eliminating dairy will significantly reduce your calcium intake, which is important for <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/health-topics\/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-bone-health\" target=\"_blank\">building healthy bones<\/a> and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life. However, there are other ways of ensuring an adequate intake of the nutrients found in dairy products.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing caffeine won&#8217;t lead to any health or nutritional concerns, but may affect quality of life for people who enjoy drinking coffee or tea.<\/p>\n<p>Women with endometriosis can try supplements such as turmeric or curcumin and ginger, but it&#8217;s best to try them one at a time, so you can identify which one works for you.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking to change your diet to try to manage endometriosis symptoms, it may be best to see a registered or accredited practicing dietitian to ensure you&#8217;re following a nutritionally balanced diet.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-main__more p-4\">\n<p><strong>More information:<\/strong><br \/>\n                                                    Francesca Hearn-Yeates et al, Dietary Modification and Supplement Use For Endometriosis Pain, <i>JAMA Network Open<\/i> (2025). <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-doi=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2025.3152\" target=\"_blank\">DOI: 10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2025.3152<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium my-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Conversation<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<use href=\"https:\/\/medx.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"article-main__note mt-4\">\n                                                This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" target=\"_blank\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible-253945\" target=\"_blank\">original article<\/a>.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/253945\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\"\/>\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n                                                 <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                 Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it&#8217;s possible (2025, April 13)<br \/>\n                                                 retrieved 13 April 2025<br \/>\n                                                 from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2025-04-diet-endometriosis-pain.html\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                            This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                            part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n                                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2025-04-diet-endometriosis-pain.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age. It&#8217;s a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can cause chronic pain, bloating, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain during sex and infertility. These symptoms can lead to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":662549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/bowl-of-healthy-food.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-662548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=662548"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/662548\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/662549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=662548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=662548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=662548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}