Top 6 Supplements for Endometriosis | Dr. Tamara Darragh | Fertility

These Top 6 Supplements for Endometriosis are super helpful in the Endo pain department but are NOT a complete solution. Supplements should be part of a more personalized, comprehensive, holistic plan.

Endometriosis is complex! If you’re new here check out my other endometriosis-related blogs, HERE, for all the details on this condition!

Top Supplements for Endometriosis | Dr. Tamara Darragh | Integrative Fertility | Naturopathic Doctor | Minnesota

You might consider some or all of the following nutrients. Please be sure you’re working with a qualified provider that can guide dosing and potential interactions with other therapies!

Melatonin

Melatonin is best known for improving sleep but has been used in many conditions to decrease pain. In fact, in a 2018 trial, melatonin was superior to meloxicam (an NSAID) at improving period pain and sleep.

Melatonin has also been shown to decrease the influence of estrogen on the growth of endometrial lesions which is a primary driver of this condition!

Vitamin C & Vitamin E

Vitamin C & Vitamin E are the most studied antioxidants for endometriosis. Food sources are best, but 8 weeks of supplementation showed decreases in pelvic pain, period pain, and pain with sex.

FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN C

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, cauliflower) BONUS… these are also important foods for appropriate detoxification of estrogen
Citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon)
Bell peppers
Strawberries

FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN E

Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Almonds
Dark leafy greens (beet greens, collard greens, spinach)
Asparagus
Avocado
Mango
Red bell pepper

Vitamin D

A randomized controlled trial from 2021 showed a reduction in pelvic pain and the inflammatory biomarker, CRP, after 12 weeks of use.

Ginger

Ginger has been shown to decrease endometrial lesions, period pain, and was found to be equally effective at relieving period pain as NSAIDs but without the side effects.

Omega-3s (Fish Oil)

Fish oil is another great option for relieving period pain and has been shown to be effective during the 1^stmonth of treatment when started at least 8 days before menstruation.

PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide)

PEA influences the endocannabinoid system, think CBD, successfully improving chronic pelvic pain, period pain, pain with sex, and was shown to improve sense of well-being in those with endometriosis. Keep an eye out for this one!

Here’s a bonus to the Top 6 Supplements for Endometriosis…

Curcumin, EGCG, Resveratrol, Garlic, Quercetin, NAC

Curcumin, Resveratrol, EGCG, Garlic, Quercetin, and NAC have some limited data for use in endometriosis. Curcumin is the best, resveratrol next in line, but not what I’m reaching for first. Some of these are not ideal from a fertility perspective and others have interactions with medications used in endometriosis.

You Don’t Have To Do This Alone!

If you have endometriosis, you’re thinking about getting pregnant or struggling with fertility, pregnancy loss, unsuccessful IUI, or IVF consider working with a holistically-minded provider who can offer a thorough assessment of your whole health and provide personalized therapeutic options. Or let me know if you need some 1:1: support! 🙂

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I always hope that my posts are supportive of your journey. There are additional resources and references below. Leave me a comment, check back often, and reach out if you need a partner in this process! Thanks so much for reading.

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And finally, if you know a fellow fertility babe in the thick of TTC, please share this information!💞

XO + baby dust,

Tamara 🙋🏻‍♀️

Additional Resources

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REFERENCES

Afrin S, AlAshqar A, El Sabeh M, Miyashita-Ishiwata M, Reschke L, Brennan JT, Fader A, Borahay MA. Diet and Nutrition in Gynecological Disorders: A Focus on Clinical Studies. Nutrients. 2021 May 21;13(6):1747. doi: 10.3390/nu13061747. PMID: 34063835; PMCID: PMC8224039.
Amini L, Chekini R, Nateghi MR, Haghani H, Jamialahmadi T, Sathyapalan T, Sahebkar A. The Effect of Combined Vitamin C and Vitamin E Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Endometriosis: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Pain Res Manag. 2021 May 26;2021:5529741. doi: 10.1155/2021/5529741. PMID: 34122682; PMCID: PMC8172324.
Filho JMM, Neto JN, Gomes LMRS, Ramos ISF, Oliveira SSR, Melo GCF, Silva LA, Moura ECR, Leal PDC. Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger) as a Complementary Option for Clinical Treatment of Endometriosis: An Experimental Study in Rats. J Med Food. 2021 Apr;24(4):342-347. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2019.0320. Epub 2020 Aug 20. PMID: 32833559.
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Negi R, Sharma SK, Gaur R, Bahadur A, Jelly P. Efficacy of Ginger in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Cureus. 2021 Mar 6;13(3):e13743. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13743. PMID: 33842121; PMCID: PMC8021506.
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