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Cited by 43Endometriosis Research and TreatmentMenstrual Health and DisordersEctopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management

Does Nutrition Affect Endometriosis?

Open access
Helbig, Martina, Vesper, Anne-Sophie, Beyer, Ines, Fehm, Tanja·2021·Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
DOI 10.1055/a-1207-0557PMC PMC7870287
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Abstract

Endometriosis is a hormone-related, chronic inflammation in women of childbearing age. The aetiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis are not yet fully understood. For other illnesses classed as lifestyle diseases, the link between nutrition and pathogenesis has already been researched and proven. With regard to these findings, the question continues to arise as to whether and how a specific diet and lifestyle could also influence pathogenesis and the progression of endometriosis. The aim of this review is to examine the data and determine what influence nutrition has on the development of endometriosis or on existing disease. The study results currently available do not permit a clear, scientific recommendation or indicate a detailed diet. In summary, it can be said that fish oil capsules in combination with vitamin B12 have been associated with a positive effect on endometriosis symptoms (particularly of dysmenorrhoea). Alcohol and increased consumption of red meat and trans fats are associated with a negative effect. The results of the studies listed with regard to fruit and vegetables, dairy products, unsaturated fats, fibre, soy products and coffee are not clear. Therefore, the general recommendations for a balanced and varied diet in line with the guidelines of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V. [German Nutrition Society] apply, along with the recommendation to cut out alcohol. In order to be able to derive more concrete recommendations, we require further studies to investigate the influence of nutrition on endometriosis.

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  • The only evidence-based indications we have are that fish-oil capsules in conjunction with vitamin B12 help to reduce endometriosis symptoms and that largely avoiding alcohol, red meat and trans fats has the same effect.

    “So far, however, the only evidence-based indications we have are that that fish-oil capsules in conjunction with vitamin B12 help to reduce endometriosis symptoms and (largely) avoiding alcohol, red meat and trans fats has the same effect [31].”

    From Endometriosis: patient–doctor communication and psychological counselling (2023) · cites this paper as [31]

    The review’s therapeutic-effects section reports reduced dysmenorrhoea symptoms with fish-oil capsules and vitamin B12, though it cautions that the underlying study was old and relied on surveys. The Discussion and Conclusions associate alcohol and trans fats with the occurrence of endometriosis, not relief of existing symptoms when avoided; it also says the evidence on red meat is unclear. The claim overstates these associations as evidence that avoiding all three reduces symptoms. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  1. [69]Deutch B Menstrual pain in Danish women correlated with low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake Eur J Clin Nutr 1995 49 508 516 7588501

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Related

Authors
Helbig, M., Vesper, A.-S., Beyer, I., & Fehm, T.
Affiliations
Düsseldorf University Hospital (DE)
Corresponding author
Helbig, Martina
ORCID
Venue
Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
Publisher
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Published
2021-02
Volume
81
Issue
02
Pages
191-199
ISSN
  • 0016-5751 (ISSN-L)
  • 1438-8804
DOI
10.1055/a-1207-0557
PMC
PMC7870287
OpenAlex
W3126671087
Cited by
43
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 2
FWCI
6.91
Type
journal article
Language
de
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
Keywords
endometriosis, nutrition, diet, fish oil, vitamin B12, alcohol consumption, red meat, trans fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, unsaturated fat, dietary fiber, soy products, coffee, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis pathogenesis, lifestyle factors

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