Magnesium
Evidence for: Neuralgic and neuropathic pain, migraines with and without aura, chronic lower back pain (park et al., 2020). Studies specifically for endometriosis are limited.
Common dosages: 600mg, split into two dosages (300mg). Magnesium can cause an upset stomach (diarrhoea), so it is recommended to work up to this dose over a period of days/weeks.
How it works: Magnesium is considered antispasmodic. Studies have suggested that the fallopian tubes of those with endometriosis contract irregularly and more spasmodically. Magnesium relaxes smooth muscles and thus contractions and pain. Studies have also found that vascular endothelial growth factor, which is an enzyme that increases growth of endothelial cells, is reduced with magnesium supplementation (Bahat et al., 2022).
Fish oil / Omega-3
Evidence for: Endometriosis associated pain, prevention of endometriosis, reducing endometriotic lesion sizes (Bahat et al., 2022).
Common dosages: 2g per day, higher dosages of 4g has been used but should be taken under the care of a naturopath, nutritionist or GP (Abokhrais et al., 2018).
How it works: Omega-3’s have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects. Endometriosis is associated with higher amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and omega-3 directly reduces this number. Omega-3 supplementation also balances out Omega-6, which are precursors to prostaglandins and leukotrienes which are thought to relate to pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Omega-3s also play a role in prevention of the disease, and can decrease the size of lesions caused by endometriosis (Bahat et al., 2022).
Curcumin/turmeric
Evidence for: Endometriosis associated pain, inflammation and oxidative stress, ovarian cancers, disease prevention (Vallee et al., 2020).
Common dosages: Safety and toxicity clinical trials have found an acceptable dose is 4-8g per day, and up to 12g / day has been reported as safe in humans (Zeng et al., 2022). However, these are large dosages and should be taken under the care of a naturopath or herbalist.
How it works: Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, anti-oxidant, wound healing, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumour, and hormonal regulating properties. In endometriosis, curcumin has been found to reduce estrogen production, decrease inflammatory mediators and directly reduce endometriotic lesion sizes by inhibiting invasion of abnormal endometriotic cells, attachment and angiogenesis of lesions. There is also a reduction of the vascular endothelial growth factor, which plays a role in disease progression (Bahat et al., 2022).
Castor oil pack
Evidence for:
Common dosages:
How it works:
Pelvic floor exercises
Evidence for:
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Anti-inflammatory diet
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References
Abokhrais, I.M., Saunders, P.T.K., Denison, F.C. et al. A pilot randomised double blind controlled trial of the efficacy of purified fatty acids for the treatment of women with endometriosis-associated pain (PurFECT): study protocol. Pilot Feasibility Stud 4, 83 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-018-0274-8
Yalçın Bahat P, Ayhan I, Üreyen Özdemir E, İnceboz Ü, Oral E. Dietary supplements for treatment of endometriosis: A review. Acta Biomed. 2022 Mar 14;93(1):e2022159. doi: 10.23750/abm.v93i1.11237. PMID: 35315418; PMCID: PMC8972862.
Park, Rex BHSc*; Ho, Anthony M.-H. MD, FRCPC, FCCP*; Pickering, Gisele MD, PhD, DPharm†; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars PhD‡; Mohiuddin, Mohammed BSc*; Gilron, Ian MD, MSc, FRCPC*,§,‖. Efficacy and Safety of Magnesium for the Management of Chronic Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review. Anesthesia & Analgesia 131(3):p 764-775, September 2020. | DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004673
Vallée A, Lecarpentier Y. Curcumin and Endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 31;21(7):2440. doi: 10.3390/ijms21072440. PMID: 32244563; PMCID: PMC7177778.
Zeng et al., 2022. Front. Immunol., 22 July 2022
Sec. Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders
Volume 13 – 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.891822
