The effects of nutrients on symptoms in women with endometriosis: a systematic review

Abstract

The success rate of medical and surgical treatment for endometriosis is limited. Empowering patients suffering from endometriosis by giving them opportunities to positively influence their symptoms could result in increased quality of life. Changing diet is one of these self-management activities, but current endometriosis diets are mostly based on limited evidence. In order to gain more insight into the role of nutrients on symptoms in women with endometriosis a systematic review was carried out in which the effect of a nutrient or diet on endometriosis-related symptoms was investigated. PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for relevant articles up to 1 March 2019. Search terms included endometriosis, diet, and 26 possible nutrients were identified after assessing available endometriosis diets in the literature and on the internet. Twelve studies were included. Study quality, including risk of bias, was assessed using GRADE criteria and all were of low to very low quality. Intake of additional fatty acids, antioxidants and a combination of vitamins and minerals may have a positive effect on endometriosis-associated symptoms. Future studies are necessary to gain evidence about which food products are effective and in which amounts.

Keywords: Diet; Endometriosis; Inflammation; Nutrition; Pain; Self-management.