I am 40 and found out in early 2012 that I have severe endometriosis. I have sometimes read that there is a link between dairy and inflammation in the body and gluten and inflammation in the body. And some women (not all) with endometriosis notice an improvement in their symptoms by avoiding foods that contain dairy or gluten.

(I should mention I didn't know I had endo. I didn't have chronic pain. I had surgery to remove a cyst and that's how they found the endo. Otherwise, I almost wouldn't really know I have it.)

So based on things I was reading, I started eliminating dairy and gluten from my diet 2 years ago.

And then I saw a naturopath over a year ago and she has all her patients on a dairy-free/gluten-free diet. So I started following the diet a bit more closely.

I don't know what I believe anymore.

I got pregnant 3 times within the past 13 months and each of them ended in miscarriage. We are awaiting genetic testing results for the most recent loss.

I have to tell you....these days I'm eating whatever I want :) At least during this grieving period. Just enjoying myself. Doughnuts, whatever :)

Because I feel like I turned my life upside down in a myriad of ways for the past 3-1/2 years and there is still no baby.

My mom would tell me "good thing you're not eating gluten...I read it's associated with recurrent miscarriage".

Well guess what? It hasn't mattered.

I know I sound really cynical right now.

So my advice would be to read about it, see what you think. Try it out. See what resonates for you. If you notice any differences in how you feel (I do find to some extent that my thinking is clearer and my energy is better when gluten is not in my diet).

And go from there.

It just seems like this "gluten-free" concept has exploded and I'm just not sure how much I buy into it anymore.

Especially when the naturopath just puts every single one of her patients on this protocol. And I sort of question that "one size fits all thinking".

We have an almost 8 year old daughter. And I knew nothing about dairy free or gluten free diets back then. So I ate these things. And here she is.

And looking back, I probably had a gluten sensitivity even then.

And then I go on this diet and get pregnant and the babies aren't living.

Obviously my body or eggs are contending with other issues.

So I don't know that this diet improves fertility. I can agree with the notion that if there are autoimmune issues going on for a person....that dairy and gluten could exacerbate the situation and MAYBE make conception less likely.

That is just my highly uneducated guess.

My advice would be just don't make yourself miserable over it if you find you don't like sticking to the diet.

Wishing you well.

I'm Gluten free and have been for over two years. For me I'm borderline celiac so it's an actual allergy but I often wonder if it is the true cause of my unexplained infertility? Guess we'll never know but I think we all go to great lengths and try anything to possibly help overcome IF.

Lilcmhos, have you gotten a gluten rash from eating stuff with gluten given being off it do so long? I think I some how was contaminated within the last week or so because I have the "gluten rash" on my knees but I know I don't eat anything with gluten....so frustrating since we did our ET on Sunday....I hoping it doesn't hurt any chances! Also I miscarried this summer and like I said, I'm GF so I'm not sure I'm sold on it helping.

I'm sorry, I meant the second part for SMuchHoping!

I just want to point out that if you cut out gluten and don't need to, you'll develop an intolerance to it. That said I've heard a lot of convincing information about going gluten free if you have endo (or, obviously some form of celiac or a sensitivity). Otherwise proceed with caution!

As for dairy - I personally don't think anyone should eat dairy. It triggers an inflammatory response in your body and causes tummy troubles for many people. I haven't cut it out completely but I eat very little and it's made a big difference in my endo pain. My fertility hasn't budged so I can't attest to that.

Also: soy is the devil. It's a phytoestrogen. I'm serious, look it up. Other than in its most natural forms, soy is like the worst thing you can put in your body!

Mazzila--I've never had a rash. That's interesting. (and sounds miserable:(
I've been eating it now for the last 3 weeks and so far haven't really noticed any obvious problems.
Mmm.....real pizza :))) I'm in heaven.
I hope the next few days go quickly for you and you get the sweet little one you've been waiting for :)

I went gluten free and found I had more energy and it helped my endo pain, especially during my periods. I have remained gluten free and I am now 10 weeks pregnant (after IVF) but I think you could always try it and see if you notice an improvement.

I am def an advocate for being gluten free! I found out I had a gluten allergy about 8 years ago. I have been gluten free, dairy free and sugar free ever since. Unfortunately it hasn't helped me with fertility though :/. It does however have many other benefits!

This post really caught my eye because I literally started dairy free diet 2 days ago. It recommended to me to avoid cow's milk and to be conscious of the grain choices I make rather than to eliminate gluten altogether but I don't have an allergy. My parents in law recently both went gluten free in the past few years and both have seen dramatic improvements in their health conditions- my FIL was able to reduce a medication he has been taking for years. My MIL found it helped her arthritis pain and inflammation. So I am a huge supporter of gluten free for certain people but for me, I love it too much I think!
Cow's milk has so many hormones, it's terrible for us. Soy is bad as well because it increases the muceous content in our bodies which is usually not a good thing.

I've had others mention going gluten-free to me to conceive and I'm sure there are benefits...but unless it's obvious that you are allergic or your body rejects either one/both, then I'm a firm believer of moderation and whole and local foods. I also try to buy organic food that is known to be high in pesticides and other chemicals (i.e. strawberries, apples, potatoes, coffee, etc.) as well as just being in tune to what my body seems to crave :)

Thanks everyone for the input. I don't have an allergy to gluten that I am aware of. I do not drink milk but do eat some dairy. The occasional pizza, here and there. My diet is pretty healthy and we eat mostly organic whole foods.
I do not have endometriosis.
I may try gluten/dairy free for awhile. It can't hurt, I guess.
I appreciate everyone's feedback.
I wish all of you the best of luck in conceiving.

You LOOK healthy :) so I'm not surprised :)
Like you, I don't drink milk. Just almond milk and coconut milk. And just the occasional cheese. And I buy almond yogurt and hormone-free dairy products for those that I do buy.
The issue I do have with wheat/gluten....is that it's in everything.
So if you look at the "average American's" diet (which is usually a pretty sad state of affairs).......and this is not you at all......it's a bagel or cereal for breakfast....a sandwich for lunch....chips, crackers, pretzels......bread and pasta for dinner....these are just examples. And what happens is people are consuming gluten at every single meal and snack.
Something definitely seems wrong with that.
It is no wonder that there are intolerances.
Just wanted to add that last piece of my opinion on gluten. And how it's taken over and how wheat (and other ingredients that contain gluten) are in everything.