What lifestyle modifications or non-pharmacological interventions can be recommended to patients with endometriosis?

For patients with endometriosis, current UK guidelines advise that the available evidence does not support the use of traditional Chinese medicine or other Chinese herbal medicines or supplements for treatment ¹,².

However, other non-pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications are discussed in the literature for symptom management and improving quality of life (Lalla et al., 2024; Wattier, 2018). A supervised and adapted therapeutic exercise program has been shown to improve the quality of life in symptomatic women diagnosed with endometriosis (Salinas-Asensio et al., 2022). General healthy lifestyle behaviours, including healthy eating and regular exercise, are encouraged to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, optimize hormonal outcomes, and improve overall health and quality of life ⁴. Weight loss, in particular, may reduce hyperinsulinism and hyperandrogenism, and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease ⁴. Additionally, mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques may be beneficial for symptom management ³. Other general lifestyle measures that can be considered include stopping smoking and drinking alcohol within recommended limits ³.