Why Science Says Eggs May Be Bad For Endometriosis

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melissa Thompson, PT, DPT, MTC

Dr. Thompson is board certified and the owner of Louisiana Pelvic Health. Her expertise is in alleviating bladder, bowel, and sexual pain symptoms during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout a woman's life.

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You’ve tried medications.

You’re sick and tired of going to the doctor.

There’s got to be SOMETHING you can do to improve your endometriosis symptoms.

Well, there is compelling evidence that shows that removing eggs from your diet could improve your endometriosis symptoms.

Are all eggs the same?

As it turns out, all eggs are NOT the same.

Organic vs conventional eggs

Organic, cage-free eggs have been shown to have much higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely healthy.

“Findings from Penn State University suggest that organic chicken eggs have three times more omega-3 fatty acids than their caged counterparts.”

On top of that, it was found that 40% more Vitamin A and twice as much Vitamin E was found in organic eggs compared to conventional eggs.

There have also been TONS of pesticides and chemicals found in conventional eggs that are not free pasture or conventional.

This does not mean that organic eggs are fine for women with endo:

Some women have found that changing to organic eggs has really helped.

It's just important to note that the quality of your food can make a difference. And, if you've been eating conventional eggs for your whole life, you're much more likely to develop an intolerance to them.

So, to start, I recommend getting rid of eggs altogether.

Why are eggs bad for women with endometriosis?

The effects of eating eggs for women with endometriosis have been shown to be negative.

Here they are:

1. Eggs can create an inflammatory response

Eggs, for some people, can cause an inflammatory response in the body.

Why does this matter for women with endometriosis?

Well, endometriosis symptoms and conditions usually worsen when there’s an increase in inflammation.

Inflammation can happen for a number of different reasons:

• Environmental factors
• Emotional or mental stress
• Physical stress on the body (lack of sleep, etc)
• Food
• And more

But, food is a HUGE one.

And, as the research has shown, eggs can increase inflammation.

So, if your endometriosis symptoms are not improving, then try eliminating eggs and see what happens.

2. I feel better when I avoid eggs

I know this isn’t science-based.

And I know every woman’s body is different.

But, at the same time, I feel compelled to share my story as it may help other women out there who are going through the same things that I went through.

So, here’s the scoop:

When I stopped eating eggs I noticed that I was feeling a little better. It wasn’t HUGE but it was enough to notice.

And, whenever I slip up and eat eggs I notice more abdominal pain and it seems like there’s a correlation to endometriosis flare-ups.

So, I now avoid eggs entirely.

How to eliminate eggs from your diet

Here’s the easiest way to eliminate eggs from your diet:

1. Go into your fridge and get rid of the egg carton
2. Go into your pantry and read through the ingredients of packaged food to see if they contain eggs
3. When at the grocery store, read labels carefully
4. At restaurants, ask the waiter if your meal contains any eggs (I know this is uncomfortable, but it’s worth it)
5. Keep track of how you’re feeling. If you eat eggs, write down how you feel afterward and for the following 1-2 days

Here’s a list of common foods/ingredients that contain eggs

Here’s a list of foods that contain eggs:

• Albumin (also spelled albumen)
• Egg (dried, powdered, solids, white, yolk)
• Eggnog
• Lysozyme
• Mayonnaise
• Meringue (meringue powder)
• Ovalbumin
• Surimi

There’s more you can do besides eliminating eggs:

While eliminating eggs from your diet can likely improve your endometriosis symptoms, there’s also more that you can do to help.

Applying a daily all-natural, vegan, and gluten-free moisturizer to your vagina can nourish the skin, heal from the outside in, and actively reduce endometriosis symptoms.