While pain relievers and hormonal drugs are the first line of treatment for endometriosis, these options have many side effects. Some people choose to try herbs as a complementary therapy.
Endometriosis is a chronic medical condition that causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus. Known as endometrial implants, they grow and bleed in response to hormones.
Symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, heavy periods, pain during sex, back pain, nausea, and more.
In this article, learn about possible herbal remedies for endometriosis, whether they work, and what the medical treatment options are.
Proponents of herbal medicine argue that herbal remedies can regulate estrogen levels, slow the growth of endometriosis implants, or ease pain.
No studies, however, have determined precisely how herbal remedies work. Instead, research has focused on whether certain supplements can reduce symptoms.
Endometriosis is an
Research suggests that some herbal remedies for endometriosis may improve symptoms, either when a person takes these herbs alone or in combination with other drugs.
This research is still in the early stages, and some studies have not been well-designed or well-controlled. For this reason, herbal remedies remain an alternative treatment, not the primary treatment.
Some herbal remedies that may help include:
Curcumin, which is a derivative of turmeric, may help regulate a person’s hormones, slowing the growth of endometrial adhesions.
The authors of
Not all research that gets results in a petri dish replicates these results in a human body. However, this study points to the need for more research in this area.
Scientists are now beginning to understand how this might work, as they have found that curcumin directly
Vitex, which comes from the chaste tree, is a traditional remedy for gynecological conditions.
According to a 2016 review, studies in lab settings show that vitex may change the behavior of estrogen receptors.
The authors suggested that, in the future, the compound could help treat symptoms of menstrual irregularities, breast pain, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Other
According to a 2014 study published in the
Most research has looked specifically at Pycnogenol, the registered trademark brand name of French maritime pine bark extract.
The study found that pine bark extract could work with oral contraceptives to reduce endometriosis pain. It is important to note that participants just taking the contraceptives also experienced a reduction in pain.
Chamomile is a popular herb because of its soothing properties. A
It also changed the cells’ life cycle, which suggests chrysin may change the way endometrial cells grow.
The study looked at cells in a lab setting, not a human body. The results might be different in a person.
Lavender is a common garden herb that many people use to encourage relaxation and sleep.
The study included a control group who received a massage without lavender, but the lavender group had lower pain scores afterward.
Herbal remedies are supplements, not prescription drugs. This means there is no approved method for taking them and no standardized dosage that works for everyone.
Some strategies for taking herbs for endometriosis include:
- Use herbs as a supplement to traditional treatments, rather than as a replacement.
- Follow the package or manufacturer’s instructions. Do not exceed the dosage on the packaging. Call a doctor if someone takes too much — natural remedies can still be toxic.
- Start with one herb at a time. This makes it easier to monitor results and detect side effects.
Like any medication, herbal supplements may cause side effects and interact with other drugs. Always talk to a doctor before trying new herbal remedies.
No treatment can cure endometriosis. Instead, treatment focuses on managing pain, heavy bleeding, infertility, and other possible symptoms. A doctor will guide a person to the best management of endometriosis depending on their age, history, and whether they still want to be able to get pregnant.
Some options for managing endometriosis pain include:
- Pain medication. Some people find relief with over-the-counter pain medication, while others need prescription pain pills. In 2018,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug, Orilissa, to target endometriosis pain symptoms. - Hormone treatment. Hormones that reduce estrogen levels or regulate a person’s period may help relieve symptoms. Options include combined contraceptive pills, progestin-only pills, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
- Surgery. A skilled surgeon can remove endometriosis implants and repair any damage. A newer surgical treatment severs nerves in the pelvis to reduce pain sensations. Some people choose to have a hysterectomy to stop heavy bleeding, but it does not remove all endometriosis symptoms.
If endometriosis affects a person’s fertility and they want to get pregnant, options include surgery and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Herbal remedies for endometriosis are experimental at this point. Most studies are lab-based, and more research in humans is necessary to determine whether herbs are helpful.
Studies have not yet proven that these remedies work or even identified through what mechanism they might work.
People considering herbal remedies should talk to a doctor who is knowledgeable about supplements, review the research, and consider using herbs as a supplement rather than a replacement for medical treatment.