A groundbreaking study reveals that dietary changes could be the key to reducing endometriosis pain, with gluten-free and dairy-free diets showing significant improvements for many women.
A new study published in the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA Network Open has found that dietary changes could be beneficial for women living with endometriosis. The largest international survey ever conducted on diet and endometriosis involved 2,599 people and found that 45% of those who stopped eating ‘gluten’ and 45% of those who cut out dairy reported experiencing an improvement in their pain.
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder affecting approximately 176 million women worldwide.
It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uteras grows outside the utera, leading to inflammation, scarring, and adhesions.
Symptoms include pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility.
The exact cause remains unknown, but hormonal influences, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors are suspected contributors.
Diagnosis often requires imaging tests, laparoscopy, or biopsy.
Treatment options range from pain management and hormone therapy to surgical interventions, with the goal of alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.
The Role of Gut Bacteria
Researchers believe that the women who cut out gluten or dairy and reported feeling less pain may have experienced changes in their gut bacteria. Reducing caffeine may work because it can affect sleep, and pain often feels worse when people are tired. Cutting back on alcoholic drinks is potentially impactful because alcohol has a similar effect on cells to ‘oestrogen’ – the hormone that fuels endometriosis.
Gut bacteria, also known as gut microbiota, are the trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive tract.
They play a crucial role in digestion, immune system function, and overall health.
Research suggests that an imbalance of gut bacteria, or dysbiosis, is linked to various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
The gut microbiome can be influenced by diet, stress, and antibiotics, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy balance through probiotics, prebiotics, and a balanced diet.
The Impact of Diet on Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body. It affects one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. However, there is very little research into the causes of the disease or how to treat it – beyond surgery, which is often only a short-term fix, or managing symptoms through hormonal contraceptives like ‘the pill’.
Potential Dietary Interventions
Cutting back on processed food like ready meals, ice-cream and sweets, which are known to alter gut bacteria, may reduce pain. Almost a third of women said their pain improved after cutting out garlic and onion, which could relieve so-called “endo belly” – uncomfortable bloating that sufferers can experience.
Expert Advice
Experts say people should check with their doctor before making dietary changes. Larger studies, with women randomly assigned to different diets, are still needed to gather compelling evidence on how diet might affect endometriosis. However, anti-inflammatory foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, chickpeas, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and olive oil may help reduce the body’s inflammation response.
The Need for Further Research
While the study’s findings are promising, further clinical research is needed to confirm the true impact of specific dietary changes. The study provides valuable insights into the lived experiences of individuals with endometriosis who have explored dietary modifications and supplements to manage their pain.
