Mar 07 2025 14 mins
Today we’re continuing with our discussion on low nutrient levels and their association with period pain. Menstruation is often (though not always) one of the most painful parts of the menstrual cycle, for people with endometriosis - and a connection we see between both dysmenorrhea (which is the medical term for period pain) and endometriosis, is low omega 3 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids are the precursors to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins; which basically means omega 3 makes our anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. In contrast, omega 6 makes our inflammatory prostaglandins, namely prostaglandin E2. And for those of who don’t know, prostaglandins, in the simplest of terms, are immune chemicals.
Show notes
Omega 3 and inflammation
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/09513590.2011.588753
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7068519/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6790261/
Dietary modulation of prostaglandin E2
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0334211100
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/2/3/355figureth?id=figure1
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2017/5987082
https://www.clinsurggroup.us/articles/JGRO-10-226.pdf
Omega 3 fatty acids and endometriosis pain reduction/treatment
https://www.clinsurggroup.us/articles/JGRO-10-226.pdf
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/19/14601
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0227695
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcp.26401
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/3/654
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8677647/
https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(07)00202-6/fulltext
Endometriosis risk and omega 3 fatty acids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20332166/
https://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(13)00173-5/abstract
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9983692/
https://theiopn.com/reel-in-the-relief-can-omega-3s-reduce-menstrual-pain/
Omega 3 fatty acids and dysmenorrhea
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1747-0080.12835
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22261128/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8701537/
https://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(13)00173-5/abstract
Omega 3 fat sources
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2815
Brands
- Bare Biology
- Rosita Foods
- Wiley’s Finest Catch Free (vegan)
Need more help or want to learn how to work with me?
Free resources:
This podcast!
Ways to work with me:
This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast digital cookbook
Masterclasses in endo nutrition, surgery prep and recovery and pain relief
Live and Thrive with Endo: The Foundations DIY course
One to one coaching info and application
This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works
Produced by Chris Robson