New Study Reveals Dietary Changes May Significantly Ease Endometriosis Pain for Many Women

Edinburgh, UK — A landmark international study has found that dietary modifications could offer significant pain relief to nearly half of those living with endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating condition affecting one in ten women of reproductive age.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study — the largest of its kind — surveyed 2,599 individuals from 51 countries. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that 45% of participants who eliminated gluten or dairy from their diets reported a reduction in pain. Similar outcomes were seen among those who reduced their intake of caffeine (43%) and alcohol (53%).

Professor Philippa Saunders, senior author and expert in reproductive steroids at the University of Edinburgh, emphasized the importance of these findings:

“We are on the cusp of major breakthroughs in understanding how diet can impact endometriosis symptoms. For many women, knowing that they can take action themselves to reduce pain is incredibly empowering.”

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb, often causing intense pelvic pain, fatigue, and complications with fertility. Yet treatment options remain limited. Surgery and hormonal therapies such as contraceptive pills are common, but they often come with side effects and offer only temporary relief. Moreover, diagnosis delays are significant — it takes an average of nearly seven years for a woman to receive a formal diagnosis.

The new findings suggest that certain foods may influence pain through their effect on gut bacteria and systemic inflammation. For example, alcohol is known to mimic estrogen, a hormone that drives endometriosis progression, while caffeine’s impact on sleep may amplify pain perception. Cutting processed foods, which can disrupt gut health, was also associated with pain relief by 40% of respondents.

The study also highlighted unexpected dietary triggers. Nearly one-third of participants experienced relief from bloating and abdominal discomfort — commonly referred to as "endo belly" — by avoiding garlic and onion.

Francesca Hearn-Yeates, lead author of the study, stressed that women are often left with few effective solutions:

“Endometriosis is under-researched and underfunded, yet women are in desperate need of tools to manage their symptoms. Our findings suggest dietary adjustments may be a meaningful step for many.”

Health experts have welcomed the study while calling for caution and further research. Jo Hanley, specialist adviser at Endometriosis UK, noted that while results are encouraging, responses to dietary changes are highly individual:

“Some women report dramatic improvements, others see no change. Keeping a food and symptom diary may help identify personal triggers. An anti-inflammatory diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats — may offer benefits, but more high-quality studies are needed.”

Ying Cheong, professor of reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton, added:

“These self-reported benefits are promising, but we now need robust clinical trials to validate these associations.”

Dr Nilufer Rahmioglu, senior research scientist at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, echoed this sentiment:

“While this study does not establish causality, it sheds valuable light on the lived experiences of women with endometriosis and underscores the urgency for rigorous exploration of non-hormonal treatment strategies.”

A targeted registration of participants in future randomized controlled trials is now seen as essential to confirm these early insights and potentially integrate dietary interventions into mainstream endometriosis care protocols.