Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects many women of childbearing age and can make it harder to get pregnant. Researchers are testing whether eating an anti-inflammatory diet—foods that reduce swelling and irritation in the body—might help women with endometriosis have better success with fertility treatments like IVF. In this study, 438 women will either follow a special 12-week anti-inflammatory diet or continue eating normally before starting IVF treatment. Scientists will track their diet, measure inflammation markers in their blood, and monitor pregnancy outcomes to see if the diet makes a real difference.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating an anti-inflammatory diet for 12 weeks before fertility treatment helps women with endometriosis have better success getting pregnant through IVF.
  • Who participated: 438 women under age 40 who have endometriosis, have been trying to get pregnant for at least 12 months without success, and have normal egg reserves. Half will eat the special diet, and half will eat normally.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol (a plan for research), not yet completed research. The main goal is to see if fewer women in the diet group experience poor egg production during IVF compared to the no-diet group.
  • What it means for you: If this study shows positive results, it could suggest that dietary changes might be a helpful, non-medication way to improve fertility outcomes for women with endometriosis. However, results won’t be available for some time, and individual results may vary.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Researchers will randomly divide 438 women into two groups: one group will follow a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet before starting IVF, and the other group will continue eating as they normally do. This random assignment helps ensure the groups are similar at the start, making it easier to tell if the diet actually makes a difference.

Throughout the study, researchers will carefully track what participants eat using food diaries and 24-hour recall interviews (where women describe everything they ate in the previous day). They’ll also collect blood samples, vaginal swabs, and stool samples to measure inflammation levels and examine the bacteria living in the gut. At the time of egg retrieval for IVF, they’ll also collect fluid from around the eggs to check hormone levels.

Participants will also answer questions about their quality of life, pain levels, and sexual function before and after the diet period. This comprehensive approach allows researchers to understand not just whether the diet affects pregnancy rates, but also how it might affect inflammation, gut health, and overall well-being.

This research approach is important because endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition, and inflammation may interfere with fertility. By measuring multiple markers of inflammation and gut health, researchers can understand the biological mechanisms—the ‘how’ and ‘why’—behind any improvements in fertility outcomes. This goes beyond just counting pregnancies; it helps explain what’s actually happening in the body.

This study has several strengths: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard for testing treatments), it has a reasonably large sample size (438 participants), and it measures multiple outcomes including biological markers and quality of life. The study has received ethics approval, which means an independent committee reviewed it to ensure it’s safe and ethical. However, this is a single-center study (only one location), which means results may not apply to all populations. The study is also still in the planning phase, so we don’t yet have actual results.

What the Results Show

Results are not yet available, as this is a study protocol (the plan before the research begins). The primary outcome being measured will be the rate of inadequate egg production—specifically, how many women in each group retrieve 3 or fewer eggs during IVF. This is an important measure because women who produce very few eggs during IVF have lower chances of success.

Once the study is complete, researchers will compare the percentage of women in the diet group who have poor egg production to the percentage in the no-diet group. If the diet group has significantly fewer women with poor egg production, it would suggest the anti-inflammatory diet may help improve egg production in women with endometriosis.

Beyond egg production, the study will also track: actual pregnancy rates and live birth rates (the ultimate measure of IVF success), how many healthy embryos develop, levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, changes in gut bacteria composition, hormone levels in the fluid around the eggs, and improvements in pain and quality of life. These secondary outcomes will help paint a fuller picture of how the diet might work and who might benefit most.

Many women with endometriosis already try dietary changes on their own, hoping to improve fertility and reduce pain. However, there’s currently limited high-quality scientific evidence showing which specific diets work best. This study is designed to provide that evidence by testing an anti-inflammatory diet in a rigorous, controlled way. Previous smaller studies have suggested that anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce endometriosis pain, but this is one of the first large studies specifically testing whether diet improves IVF outcomes in this population.

Since this is a protocol (not yet completed), we can’t discuss results limitations. However, potential limitations of the study design include: it’s only at one medical center, so results may not apply everywhere; all participants are under 40 with normal egg reserves, so findings may not apply to older women or those with low egg reserves; and the study can’t control everything participants eat outside the intervention period, which could affect results.

The Bottom Line

At this time, there is no recommendation to make, as the study hasn’t been completed. However, once results are available, women with endometriosis considering IVF may want to discuss with their fertility doctor whether an anti-inflammatory diet could be a helpful addition to their treatment plan. An anti-inflammatory diet is generally considered safe and healthy, so even before results are available, some women may choose to try it. Confidence level: This recommendation will be conditional on study results.

This research is most relevant to women with endometriosis who are struggling to get pregnant and considering or undergoing IVF treatment. It may also interest women with endometriosis who want to reduce inflammation and pain, even if they’re not pursuing fertility treatment. Healthcare providers treating endometriosis and infertility should also pay attention to these results. This research is less relevant to women without endometriosis or those not considering fertility treatment.

The study is just beginning, so results won’t be available for at least 1-2 years. Even after data collection is complete, it typically takes 6-12 months to analyze results and publish findings in medical journals. If you’re considering this approach, discuss realistic timelines with your fertility specialist.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily anti-inflammatory food intake by logging servings of fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and whole grains, while noting any processed or high-sugar foods. Measure adherence as a percentage of recommended servings met per day.
  • Users could set a goal to include one anti-inflammatory food at each meal (such as leafy greens, berries, salmon, or olive oil) and use the app to log these choices and receive reminders about meal planning.
  • Monitor weekly adherence to the anti-inflammatory diet pattern, track any changes in pain or bloating symptoms, and periodically assess overall diet quality using a simple scoring system. Share monthly summaries with healthcare providers to maintain accountability and get personalized feedback.

This article describes a research study protocol that has not yet been completed. The findings discussed are theoretical and based on the study design, not actual results. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make medical decisions. Women with endometriosis or infertility should consult with their healthcare provider or fertility specialist before making any dietary changes or starting fertility treatment. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always discuss any new dietary interventions with your medical team, especially if you’re taking medications or have other health conditions.