To Your Health
December, 2025 (Vol. 19, Issue 12) |
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Fiber for Endometriosis
By Editorial Staff
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The primary symptom is pelvic pain, particularly during menstruation, making "normal" menstrual pain that much more intense. While pain medication, hormone therapy and conservative surgery are traditional treatment options, research suggests fiber intake may influence whether a woman develops endometriosis in the first place.
Because endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, dietary choices that impact estrogen activity may be important in risk reduction. Researchers have discovered that dietary fiber intake may be one such dietary choice that can make a difference, with dietary fiber negatively related to endometriosis. In other words, women whose diets included more dietary fiber had a reduced incidence of endometriosis.
According to the study findings: "[T]he prevalence of endometriosis was statistically significantly reduced by 41.2% for every 1 g increase in dietary fiber compared to Q1," with Q1 representing women with the lowest dietary intake of fiber. That means if you're on the low end of fiber intake, even small daily increases can make a big difference in reducing your endometriosis risk. (It also means that if your fiber intake is low, you're putting yourself at unnecessary risk.)
To learn more about endometriosis, including characteristics, causes, and diagnosis, visit the Mayo Clinic website. For great sources of dietary fiber to help ensure you're meeting the recommending daily intake (approximately 25 grams for women), click here.
