9 Supplements for Endometriosis
Affecting about 11% of females, endometriosis is a hormonal inflammatory condition where estrogen-dependent uterine tissue forms somewhere else in the body, usually somewhere in the pelvic region, or in any of the spaces between the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. A way to remember endometriosis is that ‘endo’ means inside and ‘metrium’ means uterus.
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The extra tissue causes inflammation which leads to a lot of pain and infertility. The condition is associated with estrogen dominance because the tissues in endometriosis often contain many estrogen receptors on them. Digestive issues are another problem with endometriosis because of a failure to eliminate excess estrogen. The goal of endometriosis is to reduce pain and inflammation because there is no cure.
In a lot of cases there is an issue with estrogen.
The main functions of estrogen include:
building up the uterine wall for the menstrual cycle
stimulating the growth of the egg follicle
developing breast tissue
stabilizing bone density
controlling the metabolism of glucose and lipids.
High levels of estrogen can cause:
period pain
period cramps
tender breasts
PMS
bloating
constipation
anxiety
mood swings
headaches
If you have high estrogen levels then this is a picture of estrogen dominance, or elevated estrogen in relation to progesterone.
There are several patterns of estrogen dominance:
high estrogen and normal progesterone
high estrogen and low progesterone
normal estrogen and low progesterone
normal estrogen and normal progesterone, but low progesterone to estrogen (Pg/E2) ratio
LEARN YOUR ESTROGEN DOMINANCE PICTURE AND HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY ESTROGEN LEVELS IN LESS THAN 1 HOUR!
You’re wondering: “are there any supplements that are helpful for endometriosis?”
The good news (actually, great, amazing, fantastic news) is YES - there are supplements to help endometriosis.
The important question we need to be asking first is: what is out of balance in my body?
This is taking a root cause approach when it comes to understanding our health and hormones. When we answer this question, we are understanding what is driving the imbalance (which is showing up as symptoms in the body).
By addressing the root cause, not simply just the symptom (or the hormone imbalance for that matter), we can find long-term, sustained healing.
I’m here to help you have better periods, symptomless cycles, and optimize fertility (whether that’s now or in the future) all through simple nutrition and lifestyle shifts that feel simple, doable, and empowering (not overwhelming).
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I’m so passionate about sharing this info with anyone on a hormone healing journey, so I’m letting you in with all the info here!
So, let’s dive in into it!
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What supplements can help endometriosis?
Here are 9 supplements for endometriosis.
1. DIM
DIM stands for diindolylmethane and it is a naturally occurring compound in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. DIM has been shown to be one of the supplements for endometriosis to relieve some pain. It is beneficial because it supports the first phase of estrogen excretion. There are 2 main phases of estrogen excretion, and DIM favors phase I which is detoxification. There are 3 main steps that occur, and all of them need to take place in order for it to excrete the estrogen. Again, too much estrogen can elevate your levels and cause an increase in endometrial pain. This explains why DIM is one of the supplements for endometriosis.
Source: 25542144, Estrogen Metabolism
2. Calcium D-Glucarate
Calcium D-Glucarate is a calcium salt naturally produced in our body in small amounts, but it can also be extracted from different vegetables and fruits. This substance is one of the supplements for endometriosis because it aids in detoxification of estrogen and it helps relieve gut issues. Specifically, Calcium D-Glucarate supports the second phase of estrogen excretion. This process is different from phase I because phase II occurs when the high estrogen is related to gut issues. Gut issues cause a poor release of estrogen and consequently, the estrogen levels will rise and the pain from the endometriosis will increase. This phase II process allows for estrogen levels to remain stable and endometrial pain will decrease.
Source: 12197785, Estrogen Metabolism
3. Vitex
Chaste tree, chaste berry, and monk’s pepper are all common names for Vitex. It is a plant that has been originated in the Mediterranean and Western Asia as a medicinal treatment to relieve numerous symptoms as well as PMS. The medicinal component of the plant comes from the essential oils and flavonoids in it. A mechanism for why vitex is one of the supplements for endometriosis is because it can decrease prolactin which allows full development of the corpus luteum, the organ that releases progesterone, which causes progesterone levels to increase. An increase in progesterone allows for estrogen levels to balance out which is what helps alleviate pelvic pain.
Source: PMC6494412
4. Cucurmin
Curcumin is the active compound in a common herb tumeric, and it is one of the supplements for endometriosis pain relief. Curcumin is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic, which all can be beneficial properties for the treatment of endometriosis. A study found that curcumin was able to decrease the growth of the endometrial tissue by reducing estrogen levels.
Source: 24639774
4. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
NAC is the supplemental form of cysteine, which is an amino acid in our body that aids to produce a powerful antioxidant, glutathione. Antioxidants are beneficial in reducing oxidative stress which leads to inflammation. As one of the supplements for endometriosis, NAC helps to improve the body’s insulin response, lower testosterone naturally, and it helps to protect egg quality. It has also been shown to improve ovulation and pregnancy rates for those with PCOS.
Source: 22540635
5. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a spiky purple plant that is one of the beneficial supplements for endometriosis. Silymarin is the active component in milk thistle which makes it one of the supplements for endometriosis. It is beneficial in relieving pain because it can neutralize free radicals and support the detoxification of the glutathione S-transferase pathway. Glutathione is an antioxidant, and in the pathway, it can make toxic chemicals in the body less harmful. Additionally, silymarin helps to support liver detoxification which can reduce high levels of estrogen that can be a promoter of endometrial pain.
Source: Milk Thistle Book
6. Omega-3
Omega 3s are another one of the supplements for endometriosis. Polyunsaturated fats are fatty acids that contain at least 2 double bonds in the structure. Two types of polyunsaturated fats are omega 3 and omega 6. Most western diets consume a ratio of 1:20 of omega 3 to omega 6 when it should be 1:3. This evidence is correlated with endometriosis period pain incidence, showing that omega 6s are pro-inflammatory and promote the pain while omega 3s have protective effects to decrease the pain caused by inflammation. Omega 3s also have been found to inhibit the implantation of the endometrial tissue in the first place and to discourage further growth. This is what makes omega 3s beneficial supplements for endometriosis.
7. Vitamin B6
Another one of the supplements for endometriosis is vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin used to create red blood cells and aid in macronutrient metabolism. Additionally, Vitamin B6 has been broadly accepted over many studies to treat PMS symptoms including pelvic cramps. Estrogen metabolism is another one of the properties of Vitamin B6 which helps convert estrogen into its active form. This makes Vitamin B6 one of the great supplements for endometriosis.
8. Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral in the diet that is another one of the supplements for endometriosis. A study found that magnesium has been shown to relax smooth muscle in the pelvic region to reduce painful contractions and cramps. They also found that magnesium supplementation was linked with an inverse relationship to endometriosis risk. Magnesium is also an anti-inflammatory mineral, which explains its effect on reducing endometriosis period pain. This shows that magnesium is one of the supplements for endometriosis because it can decrease the pain by reducing contraction intensity.
Source: 23380045
9. Probiotics
Probiotics are one of the supplements for endometriosis because of their gut-healing properties. The gut is made up of a variety of different bacteria that aid digestion and are fueled by fiber. This bacteria is good, and we want a broad diversity of it in order to digest foods. Gut issues or (gut dysbiosis) is when there is an imbalance in the amount of these bacteria microorganisms in the intestines. This imbalance of bacteria is what causes the endometriosis period pain because the gut regulates estrogen through an enzyme that converts it into its active form for elimination, but when this process doesn’t work you can get an increase in recirculated estrogen. Probiotics are micro live bacteria in our food that add to the gut bacteria existing in our intestines in conjunction with the naturally occurring bacteria we already have. When the gut bacteria is not in balance this process can be defective which slows the digestion process and leads to higher estrogen levels which can lead to endometriosis period pain.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are many supplements that could be helpful for endometriosis.
While we chatted through lots of different options, remember that every body is unique and it’s about determine what works best for your body.
Remember: simple shifts build to make a big impact over time!
Pain-free periods and symptom-free cycles are possible for you.
-Krista
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KRISTA KING, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP
If you’re looking for individualized support for period problems, PCOS, endometriosis, stopping birth control, and/or fertility I’m your person! I have select spaces each month for:
Krista is an integrative dietitian helping you have regular, pain-free periods, symptomless cycles, and optimal fertility! Together we cover: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, cycle tracking, supplements, navigating doctor appointments, and lab testing.
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