Endometriosis is a condition in which excess tissue grows beyond the boundaries of your uterus. The excess tissue, which can grow displace normal tissue, impairs the normal shedding of the uterine lining that occurs during your menstrual cycle. As a result, you may experience pain that can become debilitating, along with heavy menstrual periods and diarrhea. Treatment for endometriosis may involve medications to treat symptoms, surgery to remove excess tissue, and possibly hysterectomy. Diet can also play a role in decreasing the symptoms that can occur because of endometriosis. Check with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
Include Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, which are found naturally in foods like salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds and some nuts, increase your body's production of a form of prostaglandin called PGE1, according to EndoAdvice. This prostaglandin may help decrease symptoms of endometriosis and relieve pain. A 1998 study published in "Fertility and Sterility" found that the administration of essential fatty acids significantly reduced symptoms of endometriosis. Essential fatty acids are also beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, maintaining the health of your skin and keeping your hair and fingernails strong. Soy products are also rich in essential fatty acids, however, they can also effect estrogen levels, so check with your doctor before including them in your diet.
Increase Fiber Intake
Dietary fiber plays an important role in the management of your digestive system. According to EndoAdvice, fiber can also decrease the amount of estrogen in your body, reducing symptoms of endometriosis that are hormonally-driven. In her book "Endometriosis," Mary Lou Ballweg of the Endometriosis Association explains that dietary fiber binds to estrogen molecules in your blood, and also helps maintain the balance of "good" bacteria in the digestive system. This effect is especially important if you are receiving hormone replacement medications, which can disrupt the balance of "good" and "bad" intestinal bacteria.
Reduce or Eliminate Dairy Products
Dairy products, while rich in calcium and vitamin D, also tend to raise levels of the types prostaglandins that can make endometriosis symptoms even worse, according to EndoAdvice. Calcium intake, however, especially for women, should not be ignored and can be supplemented by eating foods like dark green vegetables, sesame seeds, and calcium-fortified non-dairy foods. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that eliminating potential sources of allergic response to foods such as dairy products may help relieve symptoms of endometriosis. The Center recommends taking 500 to 1,000 mg of calcium d-glucarate one to three times daily to rid your body of excess estrogen.
Emphasize Foods That Contain Antioxidants
Foods that are rich in antioxidants, which include fruits and vegetables, also tend to be high in other important nutrients, like dietary fiber. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that consuming these foods may help decrease endometriosis symptoms. Antioxidants are also used to treat inflammation, which commonly occurs in endometriosis. Antioxidants are perhaps most well known for their ability to neutralize substances that can cause cellular damage and may lead to cancer. Eating antioxidant-rich foods can also help you lose weight and fill the void made by decreasing your consumption of other foods that were linked to symptoms of endometriosis.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Endometriosis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Endometriosis
- EndoAdvice: Endometriosis Advice
- "Fertility and Sterility": Relation of Endometriosis and Neuromuscular Disease of the Gastrointestinal Tract: New Insights: J. R. Mathias, et al.: 1998
- "Endometriosis: The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health": Maru Lou Ballweg: 2003
- Dr. Northrup: Endometriosis: Christine Northrup, MD: 2009
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