DIETARY INTERVENTIONS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS - NARRATIVE REVIEW

Keywords: Endometriosis, Diet, Treatment

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic and complex systematic condition that impacts approximately 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. Available literature has shown that selected diets have positive effects on the development and course of endometriosis.

This review aimed to present current data on various dietary interventions and their effectiveness in reducing endometriosis symptoms and risk.

The 19 included original studies were analyzed and included in the review. Most of the studies reported a positive effect on endometriosis-related symptoms. The Mediterranean diet was reported as a plausible adjunct therapy for symptom management without difficulty in adherence. More restrictive diet regimens, such as the Low-FODMAP diet and gluten-free diet, were reported to alleviate endometriosis-related symptoms, however adherence proved to be more difficult.

Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are crucial to determine the short-term and long-term effectiveness and safety of different dietary interventions.

References

Varney, J.E., So, D., Gibson, P.R., Rhys-Jones, D., Lee, Y.S.J., Fisher, J., Moore, J.S., Ratner, R,. Morrison ,M., Burgell, R.E. and Muir, J.G. Clinical Trial: Effect of a 28-Day Low FODMAP Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Endometriosis (EndoFOD)—A Randomised, Controlled Crossover Feeding Study; Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2025; 61:1889–1903 10.1111/apt.70161

Van Haaps, A.P., Wijbers, J.V., Schreurs, A.M.F., Vlek, S., Tuynman, J., De Bie, B., De Vogel, A.L., Van Wely, M. And Mijatovic, V.: The effect of dietary interventions on pain and quality of life in women diagnosed with endometriosis: a prospective study with control group; Human Reproduction, 2023, 38(12), 2433–2446 10.1093/humrep/dead214

Krabbenborg, I., De Roos, N., Van der Grinten, P. and Nap, A.: Diet quality and perceived effects of dietary changes in Dutch endometriosis patients: an observational study; Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Reproductive Healthcare Ltd 2021 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.07.011 1472-6483

Keukens, A., Veth, V.B., Van de Kar, M.M.A., Bongers, M.Y., Coppus, S.F.P.J. and Maas, J.W.M.: Effects of a low-FODMAP diet on patients with endometriosis, a prospective cohort study BMC Women’s Health 2025 25:174 10.1186/s12905-025-03715-1

Cirillo, M., Argento, F.R., Becatti, M., Fiorillo, C., Coccia, M.E. and Fatini, C.: Mediterranean Diet and Oxidative Stress: A Relationship with Pain Perception in Endometriosis; nt. J.Mol.Sci. 2023, 24,14601. 10.3390/ijms241914601

Noormohammadi, M., Javaheri, F.S.H., Ghasemisedaghat, S., Ghoreishy, S.M., Eslamian, G., Nouri, M., Kazemi, S.N., Nematifard, E., Rashidkhani, B. and Taheripanah, R.: Mediterranean diet adherence and healthy diet indicator might decrease odds of endometriosis. Scientific Reports, Nature (2025) 15:36750 10.1038/s41598-025-20621-6

Kiani, A.K., Medori, M.C., Bonetti, G., Aquilanti, B., Velluti, V., Matera, G., Iaconelli, A., Stuppia, L., Connely, S.T., Herbst, K.L. and Bertelli, M.: Modern vision of the Mediterranean diet; J Prev Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E36–E43. 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2745Yannakoulia M. and Scarmeas N.: Diets. N Engl J Med 2024;390:2098-2106 10.1056/NEJMra2211889

Molina, N.M, Jurado-Fasoli, L., Sola-Leyva, A., Sevilla-Lorente, R., Canha-Gouveia, A., Ruiz-Durán, S., Fontes, J., Concepción, M. A., Altmäe, S.: Endometrial whole metabolome profile at the receptive phase: influence of Mediterranean Diet and infertility; Front. Endocrinol. 2023 14:1120988.; 10.3389/fendo.2023.1120988

Abramiuk, M., Mertowska, P., Frankowska, K., Świechowska-Starek, P., Satora, M. Polak, G., Dymanowska-Dyjak, I. and Grywalska, E.: Nutrients 2024 How Can Selected Dietary Ingredients Influence the Development and Progression of Endometriosis Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 154; 10.3390/nu16010154

Matire, F.G., Constantini, E., d’Abate, C., Capria, G., Piccione, E., Andreoli, A.: Endometriosis and Nutrition: Therapeutic Perspectives; Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025 J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(11), 3987; 10.3390/jcm14113987

Naeini, F., Tahna, F.D., Mahmoudi, M., Ansar, H. and Hosseinzadeh-Attar, M.: MCT-modified ketogenic diet as an adjunct to standard treatment regimen could alleviate clinical symptoms in women with endometriosis; BMC Women’s Health 2025 10.1186/s12905-025-03798-w

Augustin, K., Khabbush, A., Williams, S., Eaton, S., Orford, M., Cross, J.H., Heales, S.J.R., Walker, M.C. and Williams, R.S.B.: Mechanisms of action for the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet in neurological and metabolic disorders ;Lancet Neurol. 2018, Jan;17(1):84-93. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30408-8.

Liu, Y.C.: Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic therapy; Epilepsia 2008 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01830.x

Yannakoulia, M. and Scarmeas, N.: Diets; N Engl J Med 2024;390:2098-2106 10.1056/NEJMra2211889

Noormohammadi, M., Ghoreishy, S.M., Ghasemisedaghat, S., Hasan-Rashedi, M., Saeedirad, Z., Eslamian, G., Kazemi, S.N., Nematifard, E., Rashidkhani, B., Taheripanahe, R. and Nouri, M.: Association between MIND diet its components with endometriosis risk: secondary results from a case- control study; Scientific Reports, Nature 2025 10.1038/s41598-025-04593-1

Guo, J.J., Li, R.X., Shang, W.L., Zheng, Y.F., Zhu, G.Y., Shu, Z.C., Liu, G.C., Ou, H.B, Li, J.Y., Guo, X.G. and Lin, L.H.: Association between dietary selenium intake and endometriosis risk: a cross-sectional analysis; Front. Endocrinol. 16:1486790. 10.3389/fendo.2025.1486790

Zheng, Y.F., Guo, Y.M., Song, C.J., Liu, G.C., Chen, S.Y., Guo, X.G. and Lin, L.H.: A cross-sectional study on the relationship between dietary fiber and endometriosis risk based on NHANES 1999–2006; Scientific Reports (2024) 14:28502, 10.1038/s41598-024-79746-9

Harris, H.R, Chavarro, J.E., Malspeis, S., Willet, W.C. and Missmer, S.A.: Dairy-Food, Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D Intake and Endometriosis: A Prospective Cohort Study; Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 October ; 231(4): 443.e1–443.e10. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2024.04.030.

Dougan, M.M., Fest, S., Cushing-Haugen, K., Farland, L.V., Chavarro, J.,Harris, H.R. and Missmer, S.A.: A prospective study of dietary patterns and the incidence of endometriosis diagnosis; Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2024 231(4): 443.e1–443.e10. 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.04.030.

Ghoreishy, S.M., Javaheri, F.S.H., Ghasemisedaghat, S., Noormohammadi, M., Eslamian, G., Kazemi, S.N., Rashidkhani, B. and Taheripanah, R.: Alternative healthy eating index may predict a reduced odd of endometriosis: results from a case-control study; BMC Women's Health 2025 25:249, 10.1186/s12905-025-03805-0

Kumar, K.D., Appleby‐Gunnill, B. and Maslin, K.: Nutritional practices and dietetic provision in the endometriosis population, with a focus on functional gut symptoms. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023;36:1529–1538. 10.1111/jhn.13158

Vennberg Karlsson, J., Patel, H. and Premberg, A.: Experiences of health after dietary changes in endometriosis: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open 2020;10:e032321. 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032321

Published
2026-02-17
Citations
How to Cite
Natalia Alicja Kwaśniewska, Szymon Stupnicki, Mikołaj Zakryś, Katarzyna Anna Zakryś, Mateusz Szot, Aleksandra Oparcik, Jakub Tarczykowski, & Michał Grzegorz Woźniak. (2026). DIETARY INTERVENTIONS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS - NARRATIVE REVIEW. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, (1(49). https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4844

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>