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Nutrition and Endometriosis

May 2, 2017 by Dr Julie Vecera

dr julie vecera, acupuncture, fertility, nutrition, lifestyle program

Aetiology – Endometriosis affects an estimate of 176 million women of a reproductive age worldwide, it is an inflammatory condition that targets the endometrial tissue outside the uterus associated with lesions, pelvic pain and infertility (Mills, D, S. 2016).

There are four stages of endometriomas according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

  • Stage I – small spots of endometriosis, filmy adhesions.
  • Stage II – Small spots of endometriosis, filmy adhesions, and small cysts.
  • Stage III – Larger implants for endometriosis over a more extensive area, approximately 3cm thick, organs stick together with these type of adhesions.
  • Stage IV – The womb, ovaries, bowel and bladder are covered with implants, and the abdomen also maybe filled with blood from implants, organs adhere together this is known as frozen pelvis (The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1992).

Signs & Symptoms

  • Infertility
  • Acute pain before menses
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fainting
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Back pain radiating down the leg
  • Pain with urination and bowel movement
  • Fatigue 


Preferred dietary approaches: Foods to include:

  • High fibre foods
  • Organic vegetarian diet
  • Emphasize phase 2 liver support with carrots, beets, artichokes, lemons, dandelions greens, watercress, burdock root, cabbage family,
  • Indole-3-carbinol in broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
  • Onions, garlic, leek
  • Soy isoflavones and flaxseed lignans
  • Turmeric
  • Milk thistle seeds soaked and ground
  • Increase omega 3 fatty acids (wild fish, flax)

Foods to avoid:

less meat protein, soy, nut butters, decrease sugar and caffeine, dairy, red meat and alcohol, decrease omega 6 fatty acids (red meat).

Possible nutritional supplements and why they are recommended:

Vitamin C to increase cellular immunity
Beta-cartene enhances immunity and increases T-helper cells
Vitamin E helps to correct abnormal progesterone/estradiol ratios which increases cell growth of the endometeriomas, also prevents the release of inflammatory chemicals
Essential Fatty Acids gamma lionenic acid in borage, black seed and evening primrose oil and alpha-linenic acid in flax seed, canola, pumpkin, soy, walnuts helps to decrease tissue inflammation
Vitamin B complex helps the liver inactivate estrogen
Selenium aids in synthesis of liver detoxification antioxidant enzymes and stimulates WBC and thymus function
Lipotropics enhance liver function and detoxification reactions, promotes bile flow and facilitates excretion of estrogen metabolites

Lifestyle changes:

  • Increase exercise – 10-40 minutes per day
  • Avoid smoking and drinking

Natasha Dunn – Embryologist, nutritionist, yoga teacher and contributor to the Fertility Lifestyle Program

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Dr Julie Vecera, endometriosis, fertility, Fertility Lifestyle Program, nutrition

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    Welcome to The Fertility Pod


    IVF Support and Natural Fertility – Melbourne

    At The Fertility Pod (formerly Bump Acupuncture & Nutrition), our focus is on the physical and emotional state of the person as a whole.  This means looking at being in optimum health to maximize the chances of fertility and the ability to bounce back after the pregnancy.  Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally, or are needing that extra bit of IVF support, we are there with you.  For this reason we have created the Fertility Lifestyle Program to help guide you through the journey of becoming pregnant.

    All treatments are designed specifically for your particular needs through a combination of IVF acupuncture, nutritional advice, herbal medicine and massage. Our clinic provides a place to relax between appointments both before and after your embryo transfer.  We want to fill the voids we have experienced throughout the IVF process. Pre/Post embryo transfer acupuncture is done at our Monash IVF locations in Brighton East, Hawthorn and Clayton as well as our Carlton Wellness Centre.

    We are pleased to now be treating in Brighton East at the Melbourne Fertility & Endosurgery Centre.

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    About The Fertility Pod Acupuncture & Nutrition
    The Fertility Pod @
    The Carlton Wellness Centre
    23a/255 Drummond St
    Carlton, Vic 3053
    Also seeing patients in Brighton East, Hawthorn and Clayton.
    (03) 9348 2867
    0433 784 843
    info@thefertilitypod.com.au
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