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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2 2006, 5:28 PM EDT (current) | Susan_B | 196 words added |
| Oct 2 2006, 5:27 PM EDT | Susan_B | 75 words added |
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Two months of high dose vitamin E and C therapy led to impressive reductions in endometrial pain and markers of inflammation, according to Dr. Nino Kavtaradze, an OB/GYN resident at Emory University.
The women in his study reported pelvic pain and had endometriosis or infertility. Inflammatory makers and pain levels were evaluated at the start and end of the study. High doses of vitamin C (1,000 mg per day) and vitamin E (1,200 IU per day) were given to 46 women, and 13 got a placebo. At the end of the study, levels of inflammatory markers in the peritoneal cavity were significantly lower in the women who took the supplements.
In addition, 43 percent of the women who took the supplements reported an improvement in pain, compared with none of the women in the placebo group.
Nutritional Supplements
There have been no human studies examining the effect of specific nutrients on endometriosis. Animal research suggests that fish oils may reduce the severity of endometriosis, and fish oils have been shown to improve symptoms of dysmenorrheal (painful menstruation), which may be caused by endometriosis. Therefore, while no specific research has been done on the effects of fish oils in women with endometriosis, some health practitioners recommend several grams of fish oil per day for this condition.
Herbs
Vitex is recommended either alone or in combination with other herbs, such as dandelion root, prickly ash, and motherwort, by some doctors to treat the symptoms of endometriosis. Although vitex affects hormones that in turn affect the severity of endometriosis, and it may be effective for premenstrual syndrome, no research has tested the effect of vitex supplementation on women with endometriosis. Similarly, no other botanical medicines have been scientifically researched for treating this disease.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been reported anecdotally to help control the pain associated with some cases of endometriosis, but no controlled studies have confirmed this claim. One small, preliminary study found that auricular acupuncture (acupuncture of the ear) was as effective as hormone therapy in treating infertility due to endometriosis.
Needles are placed into energy points located along channels that run vertically up and down the body. The goal is to balance and restore the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), or life energy force. Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that when Qi becomes unbalanced, or its flow is interrupted, illness results. Different combinations of herbs are often used along with acupuncture to further enhance treatment and, at times, to speed recovery.
When seeking any type of complementary medicine practitioner, make certain that he or she has received proper accreditation and training. Most types of complementary practices, including acupuncture, have national associations or organizations that offer such credentials. The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is a good starting point for general information about complementary medicine. Information on acupuncture can be obtained from the American Association of Oriental Medicine.
The women in his study reported pelvic pain and had endometriosis or infertility. Inflammatory makers and pain levels were evaluated at the start and end of the study. High doses of vitamin C (1,000 mg per day) and vitamin E (1,200 IU per day) were given to 46 women, and 13 got a placebo. At the end of the study, levels of inflammatory markers in the peritoneal cavity were significantly lower in the women who took the supplements.
In addition, 43 percent of the women who took the supplements reported an improvement in pain, compared with none of the women in the placebo group.
Nutritional Supplements
There have been no human studies examining the effect of specific nutrients on endometriosis. Animal research suggests that fish oils may reduce the severity of endometriosis, and fish oils have been shown to improve symptoms of dysmenorrheal (painful menstruation), which may be caused by endometriosis. Therefore, while no specific research has been done on the effects of fish oils in women with endometriosis, some health practitioners recommend several grams of fish oil per day for this condition.
Herbs
Vitex is recommended either alone or in combination with other herbs, such as dandelion root, prickly ash, and motherwort, by some doctors to treat the symptoms of endometriosis. Although vitex affects hormones that in turn affect the severity of endometriosis, and it may be effective for premenstrual syndrome, no research has tested the effect of vitex supplementation on women with endometriosis. Similarly, no other botanical medicines have been scientifically researched for treating this disease.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been reported anecdotally to help control the pain associated with some cases of endometriosis, but no controlled studies have confirmed this claim. One small, preliminary study found that auricular acupuncture (acupuncture of the ear) was as effective as hormone therapy in treating infertility due to endometriosis.
Needles are placed into energy points located along channels that run vertically up and down the body. The goal is to balance and restore the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), or life energy force. Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that when Qi becomes unbalanced, or its flow is interrupted, illness results. Different combinations of herbs are often used along with acupuncture to further enhance treatment and, at times, to speed recovery.
When seeking any type of complementary medicine practitioner, make certain that he or she has received proper accreditation and training. Most types of complementary practices, including acupuncture, have national associations or organizations that offer such credentials. The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is a good starting point for general information about complementary medicine. Information on acupuncture can be obtained from the American Association of Oriental Medicine.
