A major study on endometriosis has found that women who eliminated four things from their diet experienced a reduction in their pain levels. Endometriosis is a condition where cells, similar to those found in the womb lining, grow in other parts of the body. It’s estimated that around 1.5 million women of reproductive age in the UK are affected by the condition.
Charity Endometriosis UK states that it takes an average of eight years and 10 months for a woman to be diagnosed with the condition from their first GP appointment. The cause of endometriosis remains unknown, and there’s currently no cure, although medications and surgeries can help manage the symptoms.
However, a new study from Edinburgh University has demonstrated that sufferers who made specific dietary changes saw a noticeable improvement in their symptoms. The study involved 2,599 participants, each of whom made different changes to their diet.
As a result, 45% of participants who eliminated gluten, and the same percentage who cut out dairy, reported improvements in their pain levels. 53% who reduced their alcohol intake also noticed lower pain levels, while for women who stopped consuming coffee or caffeine the number was 43%.
Senior author of the study, Philippa Saunders, who is a professor of reproductive steroids at the University of Edinburgh, spoke with The Guardian about the significance of the research, saying: “It really feels like we are on the cusp of something pretty big with understanding how diet affects endometriosis symptoms. It is so important for women if they feel they can do something for themselves to tackle the pain of endometriosis – that is tremendously empowering.”
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, the journal of the American Medical Association, have led researchers to conclude that women experiencing reduced pain after ditching gluten or dairy might be benefiting from changes in their gut bacteria. Additionally, they suggest cutting down on caffeine might aid in improving sleep quality, which in turn could help individuals better manage pain.
On the flip side, consuming alcohol could make endometriosis pain worse because it has a similar effect to oestrogen’s effects on cells – the hormone that aids the growth and development of endometriosis – potentially intensifying the symptoms. The NHS says that endometriosis signs during periods can include:
There can also be symptoms noticed outside of your period, which can include:
Endometriosis sufferers may also have difficulty getting pregnant and have low mood or anxiety. The NHS advise that endometriosis can affect those with the condition in a variety of ways.
There’s a belief among experts that inflammation might increase the pain associated with endometriosis. Therefore, enhancing gut health by avoiding certain foods could be beneficial, as it potentially diminishes inflammation within the body.
According to recent findings, ditching processed food led to reduced pain for 40% of participants in a study, and a third found that cutting out garlic and onion from their diet decreased their pain and bloating symptoms.
Sharing insights with the Guardian, Jo Hanley, a specialist adviser for Endometriosis UK, expressed: “We follow with interest studies on the potential impact and role of diet and nutrition in the management of endometriosis. There is a need for more high-quality evidence but I’ve heard many a success story from individuals where dietary changes have led to improved pain, although unfortunately others have reported no improvements.”
The study drew upon self-reported pain levels from women in 51 countries, including over 1,000 in the UK. However, to gain a better understanding of the relationship between diet and endometriosis, larger studies are necessary.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of endometriosis or other menstrual issues should get in touch with their GP.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.
