Condition
    Effectiveness 2/5

    Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Endometriosis

    Higher dietary omega-3 intake is associated with lower endometriosis risk in cohort data, but no randomised trial has tested supplementation as a treatment.

    Overview

    Higher dietary omega-3 intake is associated with lower endometriosis risk in cohort data, but no randomised trial has tested supplementation as a treatment.

    Verdict

    Mixed evidence

    Higher dietary omega-3 intake is associated with lower endometriosis risk in cohort data, but no randomised trial has tested supplementation as a treatment.

    How It Works

    EPA and DHA shift eicosanoid production away from the inflammatory prostaglandin E2 that drives endometriosis pain and lesion survival, and give rise to resolvins that actively dampen inflammation.

    Dosing & Protocol

    Typical dose

    Recommended dose
    Diet-first: oily fish twice weekly; supplements 1-2 g EPA+DHA daily if trialled
    Expected timeframe
    3 months minimum for any pain assessment

    Protocol

    notes
    Take with meals; pause high-dose omega-3 before scheduled surgery on surgical advice
    dosage
    Oily fish twice weekly as foundation; 1-2 g EPA+DHA daily if supplementing
    duration
    3 months minimum before assessing any pain effect

    Evidence

    What the studies say

    Large cohort studies find women with the highest long-term omega-3 intake have lower rates of laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis. Animal models show omega-3 reduces lesion size. However, no randomised controlled trial has tested omega-3 as a treatment for established disease, so the treatment claim rests entirely on prevention-observational and preclinical data. As a safe adjunct within an anti-inflammatory diet it is reasonable; as a treatment it is unproven.

    Supplementation with vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids in adolescent girls and young women with endometriosis (SAGE): a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

    Score: 8/10
    2020
    rct
    n=69

    Nodler JL, DiVasta AD, Vitonis AF +3 more

    Participants were randomly assigned to receive 2000 IU vitamin D3, 1000 mg fish oil, or placebo daily for 6 mo

    View source

    Safety

    Caveats

    {"Prevention data do not equal treatment evidence","High doses increase bleeding tendency — relevant before surgery","Benefit, if any, is modest and gradual"}

    Less likely to help if

    Women with mechanical pain from adhesions or large cysts are unlikely to benefit meaningfully; the target is the inflammatory component only.

    Medical Disclaimer

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    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.