Endometriosis: What You Need to Know & How Nutrition Can Help

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects millions of women, yet it’s often misunderstood. While hormones play a role, they don’t cause endometriosis; it’s a complex, multi-factorial condition influenced by genetics, inflammation, the immune system, and environmental factors.

Pain Is Never Normal

Debilitating menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse is not something you just have to live with. If you experience these symptoms, early evaluation is key.

Hormones and Endometriosis

• Estrogen stimulates lesions, but it is essential for overall health. The goal is modulating estrogen activity, not eliminating it.

• Progesterone can calm inflammation and help regulate lesions, but many women have progesterone resistance, meaning lesions don’t respond normally.

• Androgens can help regulate lesion growth, so hormone therapy should be carefully chosen.

The Role of the Immune System

• Many women with endometriosis also experience IBS or gut sensitivity, highlighting the gut-immune connection.

• Mast cells, which regulate inflammation, can be overactive, worsening pain and immune reactions.

Nutrition Strategies That May Help

While diet alone won’t cure endometriosis, it can reduce inflammation and support immune balance:

• Trial elimination of gluten and A1 dairy for 3 months to see if symptoms improve.

• Nickel-sensitive individuals may benefit from reducing foods high in nickel (like canned foods or legumes).

• Focus on key nutrients: zinc, selenium, preformed vitamin A, and iodine (if no thyroid issues).

• Anti-inflammatory supplements: Omega-3s, curcumin, NAC, and resveratrol may help reduce lesion activity.

Hormonal Testing: DUTCH Test

As your RDN, I use DUTCH testing to evaluate your hormone metabolism and balance. This test provides insight into:

• Estrogen and progesterone metabolites

• Androgen levels

• Cortisol and stress hormone patterns

With this information, we can personalize nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support your hormones, reduce inflammation, and optimize your symptoms.

Lifestyle & Environmental Considerations

• Avoiding xenoestrogens (from plastics, personal care products) can help regulate hormones.

• Supporting detox pathways with fiber and antioxidants is important.

• Smoking and heavy metal exposure can worsen inflammation.

How I Can Support You

Working with me as your Registered Dietitian Nutritionist means you get:

1. Personalized nutrition plans tailored to your symptoms, sensitivities, and lab results.

2. Guided elimination trials for foods like gluten, dairy, and nickel.

3. Supplement recommendations to support immune function, hormone balance, and inflammation reduction.

4. Gut health strategies to improve digestion, reduce bloating, and support nutrient absorption.

5. Ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure nutrition supports—not hinders—your medical care.

Takeaway

Endometriosis is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted testing, like DUTCH testing. can help reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, and improve quality of life. Together, we can create a personalized plan that works for your body and your symptoms.