Endometriosis awareness month: Industry aims to bridge nutrition gap

A webinar broadcast earlier this week by The Endometriosis Foundation explored the nutrition needs of those with the condition. 

Sophie Medlin, dietitian and chair for the British Dietetic Association for London, discussed the lack of awareness when it comes to endometriosis, which has led to misinformation and uncertainty when it comes to nutrition. 

“Women are desperate for answers, and when they don’t get them from the doctors, they end up searching on the internet and cutting out so many different things from their diet, which can sometimes be incorrect but also has a massive impact on quality of life,” she said.

Medlin noted that while a balanced diet—predominantly plant-based and Mediterranean—is key, adequate vitamin intake is imperative, as deficiencies in people with endometriosis are common.

She mentioned that supplementation can be helpful, including B vitamins, vitamin D (especially in winter) and omega-3 for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

She also recommended a good iron supplement, as iron deficiency is common due to heavy bleeding associated with endometriosis.

Stef Williams, founder and CEO of the fitness app WeGlow, who herself has been diagnosed, noted that not only is there a lack of awareness around endometriosis but also a lack of action.

She explained that her recent attempt to launch a petition to make endometriosis screening mandatory in the UK was met with frustrating responses and dismissal from Parliament. 

“We were told that a petition focusing on funding for endometriosis was currently live and that we should be combining forces,” she noted. “It’s just putting us into the pigeonhole of generalized women’s health.”