Here's What Doctors Recommend Eating If You Have Endometriosis

While there are a number of environmental changes that can help with endometriosis (for a great rundown, check out this article), modifying your diet is a great place to start. The bad news? "There's no one-size-fits-all diet for women with endometriosis," says Jolene Brighten, D.C. and author of Beyond the Pill. "We do not have enough substantial evidence or understanding of what causes endo, so we can't say either way what will be most effective for the majority of women."

Romm agrees: "Studies have shown that increasing fatty fish intake, and also a diet rich in fruits and veggies, can not only reduce endometriosis risk but may actually reduce lesions and pain." She notes that while this may seem simple, in her practice she's found that many women aren't getting a recommended eight servings of combined fruits and veggies each day. "I recommend four servings of greens, two of a rainbow assortment of veggies, including sweet potatoes and winter squash for their immune-health-promoting vitamin A, and two servings of berries, which are rich in phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation," Romm says.

In addition, while limiting those foods, Rivera recommends supporting liver function to help remove any excess estrogen from the body. To support the liver, she suggests loading up on cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, bok choy, arugula, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Soluble fiber also plays a big role in liver function. "Soluble fiber allows for toxic buildup in the liver to be excreted more effectively through the gut," she says. "Foods rich in soluble fiber include steel-cut oats, mung beans, black beans, lentils, white beans, navy beans, and black-eyed peas."

If the dietary changes don't provide relief, consider looking at environmental factors, considering supplements, or consulting a functional medicine practitioner.