Starting Supplements for Endometriosis Symptoms

You'll do almost anything to eliminate the pain and discomfort from endometriosis. At times it can feel like it's holding you back in life – exercising, dating, swimming, and even what you wear.

So, when there’s a suggestion of something that will help, you’re all in.

This is what can make supplement recommendations so appealing. It’s a pill you can take with the hopes that it will make you feel better.

I've had some success using supplements to manage my health over the years with everything from endometriosis and fertility to migraines and MS. However, I always try to be mindful that you can't take a "one size fits all" approach with supplements.

Each of us has unique needs that are important to consider when selecting which supplements to take and how often to take them. So, what's the best way to find the "right" supplements for you, especially in managing endometriosis?

Getting your doctor's input is important

While I always recommend talking with your doctor as a first step, doing a little research before your conversation can be helpful.

Perhaps you do a little online research to discover that fish oil and turmeric (curcumin) are two supplements that appear to support the management of endometriosis symptoms. You could then take this to your doctor, asking if they feel it would be helpful for you.

You can also ask if they're aware of other supplements that may better fit you or complement the ones you've suggested.

It's important to remember that doctors are trained in pharmaceutical medicine, which is the area they often feel most comfortable recommending. However, it doesn't mean they can't offer some insight into supplements.

Get as much information as you can before starting supplements

Some doctors will be more open to the conversation than others. If you find that your doctor isn’t offering many suggestions, the most important question to get answered is, “are there any contraindications?” for you taking this supplement.

This helps to take the pressure off for speaking to the results you can expect from taking the supplement. Instead, you're focusing the question on if there are any concerns about you taking the supplements.

I often get a response at this point in the conversation: "no, there's no harm in you taking it. I can't say how much it will make a difference in how you feel."

I'm good with this answer. I know there are no guarantees regarding our health – with supplements or pharmaceuticals, for that matter.

But as long as there is no downside to me taking it, and I’m hopeful that it’s something that can help, then it’s worth a try, in my opinion.

At that point, I'll try to introduce just one supplement at a time and stick with it for at least 30 days. This will help me isolate any variables so I can get the best understanding of how much it's making a difference for me.

What’s your experience with talking to your doctor about supplements? Please share below!