What to look for when choosing supplements for endometriosis

Supplementation is a valuable support for endometriosis, as it supplements the diet with ingredients with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-fertility properties, which are difficult to obtain in adequate amounts through food alone. However, not all supplements are created equal. Unfortunately, Poland lacks official regulations regarding the production, sale, control, safety, and effectiveness of supplements, which creates room for abuse. This doesn't mean you have to completely abandon them, but you should choose your supplements carefully and wisely. In this article, I'll explain exactly what to look for and how to choose a supplement that will be safe and effective for you. 

Dietary supplements and the law

Supplements are incredibly popular, and have been growing steadily for several years now. We're bombarded with advertisements from every direction, showing how someone's life and health have changed thanks to a single pill. Unfortunately, the role of supplementation in our health is often overstated, and much of the information presented by manufacturers and advertisers is simply false. This doesn't mean that every dietary supplement is bad, absolutely not. Many can be very helpful in improving health, well-being, and promoting preventative measures. Choosing such a product isn't easy, however, as Poland lacks legal regulations regarding supplements. All you need to do to market a product is report it to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). This is done online and takes literally a few minutes.

The production process and quality of supplements are therefore in no way controlled by state institutions, a fact exploited by many manufacturers who are solely interested in making as much money as possible. As a result, the market is flooded with supplements of questionable quality and effectiveness. Of course, right next to these products may be a product manufactured by a company concerned with public safety and health. Producers of high-quality supplements often invest in research and regular checks of their products' composition, submit their products to independent laboratories, and their production is overseen by a team of specialists . However, distinguishing between a good and a bad supplement is a task for us as consumers, so today I'll show you how to do it and avoid spending money on something that not only doesn't work but can even be harmful.

Supplements for endometriosis – what to look for?

When choosing supplements for endometriosis, you should pay attention to:

• Composition, including the chemical form and dose of the active substance, as well as additional substances, 
• Recommended dosage and method of administration,
• The manufacturer's reputation,
• The presence of tests confirming quality and safety. 

I know this can be difficult. There are tens of thousands of supplements available on the market, and analyzing each one before purchasing is nearly impossible. You don't have to do it alone. If you're considering supplementation, consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or clinical dietitian. Specialists will help you choose supplements that are safe and effective for you. 

Company and manufacturer

One of the first things you should pay attention to when choosing a supplement is the company that produced it. Check how long they've been on the market and how long they've been producing supplements. It's also worth checking out reviews from other consumers, though you should exercise caution here, too. Of course, reputation isn't everything. A few years ago, a popular company producing dietary supplements for athletes and physically active people made a splash after one of its products was found to have mercury levels exceeding the permissible limit by approximately 1300%. Check to see if the manufacturer of the supplements you're considering has a history of similar issues. The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) issues recall notices on its website about specific batches of supplements containing heavy metals, for example. It's worth checking if such a notice applies to the supplement you were planning to buy.

Also, research who creates the dietary supplement formulas. More and more companies are hiring clinical dietitians, pharmacists, or physicians with the appropriate knowledge and experience in this field. Check whether the formulas have been developed and verified by experts, as is the case with EndoMe supplements.

Tests and certificates

Supplements are subject to nutritional law, and their quality control testing is not legally required and is not as rigorously conducted as for medications. Therefore, it's worth checking whether a given company conducts internal quality control of its products. Check the manufacturer's website for information on product composition, safety, and purity testing. More and more companies are independently submitting their products to independent laboratories for testing for contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances. At EndoMe, safety and high product quality are a priority, which is why the EndoBase and EndoOmega dietary supplements have been tested by the independent GBA Polska laboratory. You can view the test results on the product data sheets for both products.

Value for money

More expensive doesn't always mean better, but it's worth keeping in mind that supplements that undergo regular quality testing won't cost a few zlotys, as monitoring them is very expensive for manufacturers. However, this doesn't mean you should base your decision solely on price. There are many very expensive products that have never been tested or passed any inspection. Remember that in supplementation, quality and safety are paramount, not prestige or brand marketing. You can often find less popular products at lower prices with much better ingredients and effects than the more expensive ones advertised on television or social media.

Additionally, when choosing a supplement for endometriosis, it's worth considering the monthly cost of supplementation. For example, one package contains 30 tablets, and the manufacturer recommends taking one daily. This means the package will last you a whole month. Another similarly priced supplement might also contain 30 tablets, but the recommended daily dose is three tablets, meaning the treatment will last 10 days. Pay attention to the details to avoid overpaying.

Dose of active substance

The label of every supplement should include information about the amount of the substance and its percentage of the Reference Intake. The Reference Intake (RIV) indicates the percentage of the daily supplement serving that covers the nutritional requirements for a given nutrient. It was developed for minerals and vitamins (not plant extracts) based on nutritional standards for adults. The minimum vitamin and mineral content in a dietary supplement must be at least 15% of the Reference Intake (RIV) . This is a legal requirement to ensure that supplements actually provide significant amounts of nutrients, not just trace amounts.

Unfortunately, I can't provide you with specific recommendations regarding the dosage your supplement should contain. For example, we select the vitamin D dose based on blood tests to assess its levels, the iron dose based on dietary intake, ferritin and hemoglobin levels, and the zinc dose based on your goals—different dosages are used to boost immunity and different ones to support fertility. However, remember that not only deficiencies but also excesses are harmful, so more isn't always better.

Chemical form of the active substance

When reading the ingredients, it's worth paying attention to the chemical form of the active ingredient, as not all are equally effective. For example, not all magnesium is created equal. Magnesium citrate, malate, and threonate are chemical forms with good bioavailability. Magnesium oxide, however, (unfortunately found in many supplements) has minimal bioavailability and is practically not absorbed by the body. By purchasing such a supplement, we're paying for something that doesn't work. Below, I present the active chemical forms of selected vitamins and minerals worth looking for in supplements:

• Vitamin D: cholecalciferol
• Vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid, liposomal vitamin C, ascorbyl palmitate
• Vitamin B9: folate, 5-MTHF, Quatrefolic®
• Vitamin B12: methylcobalamin
• Vitamin B6: pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
• Selenium: L-selenomethionine
• Zinc: zinc picolinate, bisglycinate, hydrogen aspartate, citrate and acetate
• Iron: iron bisglycinate, fumarate, gluconate
• Magnesium: magnesium citrate, glycinate, lactate, taurate, threonate, malate

If you are unsure which chemical form of a supplement is most effective, it is worth asking a pharmacist, dietitian, or doctor.

Additional substances

Dietary supplements, in addition to active ingredients, also contain additional substances. Some of these are completely unnecessary and even potentially harmful. Other additives, on the other hand, not only improve the shelf life of the product but can also have beneficial effects. What should you look for?

• Colors and flavors – their presence in a product is never strictly necessary. They are most often added to enhance appearance, smell, and taste, but they provide no nutritional value and, in large quantities, can be unnecessarily burdensome for the body. Try to choose supplements without colorants and flavors. 
• Bulking and thickening agents – these improve volume and texture and are often added during production. Low-quality supplements most often use corn starch, maltodextrins, or magnesium stearate. It's better to choose products that contain natural inulin, pullulan, or pectin. These are not only safe but also beneficial for health. Our supplement contains: EndoBase We used the branded Fibruline™ inulin. 

When it comes to supplements in capsule form, it's also worth considering their material. Many supplements have cellulose or gelatin coatings, which are safe but offer no additional health benefits. At EndoMe, we use pullulan coatings in our supplements, which may have prebiotic properties and support intestinal function. Above all, in comparative tests, they demonstrate better content protection than cellulose or gelatin capsules. 

A good supplement should contain not only effective active ingredients but also safe and potentially health-promoting additional substances. At least several months of supplementation are generally necessary to observe positive effects, so it's worth choosing products that contain only effective and safe ingredients. 

Synergism and antagonism

When planning supplementation and creating supplement formulas, it's important to remember that ingredients interact with each other. They can either enhance each other's effectiveness or hinder each other's absorption. Therefore, multi-ingredient supplements are not necessarily better or more effective than single- or two-ingredient supplements. For example:

• Vitamin D increases calcium absorption, 
• Vitamin C increases iron absorption but limits the absorption of vitamin B12, 
• Iron and zinc mutually hinder each other's absorption.

Therefore, supplementation should be targeted and include only the nutrients you actually need. Excessive supplementation can not only increase the risk of overdose but also prevent the nutrients you need most from being fully utilized by your body. 

Plant-based supplements for endometriosis – what to look for?

I've decided to discuss herbal preparations separately because they differ from vitamin and mineral supplements. The supplement label (especially if it contains ingredients in the form of extracts) should include information about the DER (Drug Extract Ratio). This represents the ratio of the substance used to the resulting product. For example, a DER of 5:1 means that 5 grams of plant material yielded 1 gram of extract. In practice, the higher the ratio, the higher the value of the resulting extract. 

Additionally, pay attention to standardization. This is a quality control process that ensures that each dose of the product contains a consistent amount of active ingredients . For example, in the case of turmeric, these are curcuminoids and curcumin, in the case of ginger, gingerols, in the case of pepper, piperine, and in the case of oregano, quarticol. Choose supplements whose manufacturer clearly states their standardization. This allows you to be more certain about the composition and effectiveness of the supplement, as standardization guarantees that 100 mg of extract will always contain the same amount of a given active ingredient declared on the packaging.

Probiotics for endometriosis – what to pay attention to?

Another group of supplements I've decided to discuss separately are probiotics. Their popularity and prevalence on the market are constantly growing. This is not surprising, considering that a growing body of research indicates the importance of probiotic therapy and gut microbiota in supporting the treatment of many chronic diseases, including endometriosis . However, before choosing probiotic supplements, keep the following in mind:

• Probiotics are strain-dependent, and each strain has a different effect. There's no point in taking just any probiotic you come across. They should be selected for specific purposes and needs.
• Make sure the manufacturer provides the exact name of the supplement on the packaging, including the genus, strain, and species (for example, Streptococcus thermophilus FP4 or Lactobacillus Helcveticus R0052). Without species information, it's impossible to assess how a given probiotic will work. 

A Good Supplement for Endometriosis – What Is It? Summary

Dietary supplements are ingredients that complement and enrich our daily diet. To be effective and safe, they must be tailored to individual needs. A good supplement meets the following requirements:

• It is tailored to your needs – when choosing a supplement, be guided by your needs and goals, not what others recommend. 
• Its use is preceded by blood tests. – Most nutrients can be obtained through a varied diet and do not require additional supplementation. Blood tests will help you assess your nutritional status and better plan any supplementation. 
• It has high quality confirmed by independent research – manufacturers who care about the quality and safety of their products regularly publish the results of current research on their websites.

Remember, any supplementation should be discussed with a doctor, dietitian, or pharmacist. Supplements can be very helpful, but they can also be potentially harmful. Many interact with medications, and certain health conditions (e.g., blood clotting disorders or heart rhythm disorders) contraindicate the use of certain ingredients. Your safety is our priority, so before paying for a new supplement, make sure it's right for you. 

Sources

1. Act of 25 August 2006 on food and nutrition safety (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2020, item 2021, as amended).
2. Regulation of the Minister of Health of 9 October 2007 on the composition and labelling of dietary supplements (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1951).
3. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods (OJ L 404, 2006, p. 9, as amended).
4. Krasnowska G. Dietary supplements and consumer safety, https://wydawnictwo.pttz.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/005_023_Krasnowska.pdf [accessed: 17/09/2025]
5. Stępień K. The prevalence of dietary supplements and the risks associated with their use; Bull. Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 2019, 9, 51-59
6. Bojarowicz H. Dietary Supplements. Part I. Dietary Supplements and Drugs – Comparison of Legal Requirements, https://www.h-ph.pl/hyg.php?opc=AR&lng=pl&art=191 [accessed: 17/09/2025]