Anti-Inflammatory Diet and the effects on women with Endometriosis

Clinical Scenario: In a clinical setting, women with endometriosis tend to experience high levels of pelvic pain and do not find a difference in relief with birth control pills or laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, clinicians are constantly experimenting new methods to approach an endometriosis diagnosis and are starting to look into holistic approaches, like diets. The anti-inflammatory diet is a well researched diet and is known to decrease inflammatory markers. Summary of Key Findings: Four relevant original studies were and categorized based on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale. Based on research diets or supplementation based on controlling anti-inflammatory markers has been reported to decrease self reported symptoms of endometriosis. Therefore, in a clinical setting, assisting in the recommendation of supplementation or dietary changes in women with endometriosis has a positive impact on patients in relieving symptoms like chronic pelvic pain. Clinical Question: Does an anti-inflammatory diet assist in helping women with endometriosis manage their symptoms? Clinical Bottom Line: The importance of this study is to provide clinicians with the baseline knowledge and understanding on endometriosis and anti-inflammatory diet and the understanding of when this recommendation is useful for patients. Through determining the current symptoms the patient has and current strategies for managing endometriosis symptoms we will be able to determine the reasoning behind the implication of controlling anti-inflammatory markers in relieving endometriosis symptoms. Strength of Recommendation: The strength of recommendation is a grade of B. Key Words: Nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle, reproductive health and diseases