Chinese Herbal Medicine Could Help With Endometriosis

Preliminary research shows that a Chinese herbal medicine could offer an alternative to standard hormonal treatments for endometriosis, according to an article from Reuters Health.

Endometriosis causes tissue (that normally lines the uterus) to grow in other areas of the pelvis—like the ovaries or the fallopian tubes—causing a build up of scar tissue outside the uterus. Thus, the symptoms—pelvic pain, heavy menstrual periods and fertility problems.

Researchers conducted two clinical trials (158 women) and found that a mix of traditional Chinese herbs had fewer side effects, and worked as well or even better than two conventional hormonal therapies. The herbs are considered to help regulate pelvic blood flow, as well as modulate immune system activity and inflammation.

In one trial, researchers randomly assigned women to take either an herbal mixture or a hormonal therapy called gestrinone. The herbal therapy was given both orally and by enema after the women underwent surgery to remove abnormal tissue growths. After three months, their symptoms improved and their chances of becoming pregnant increased over the next two years.

The second trial compared the same herbal mix with danazol, a drug that blocks estrogen secretion. After three months, their symptoms showed improvement. Plus, those who took the herb orally and by enema had a greater reduction in abnormal tissue growths.

"I think the positive message is that Chinese herbal medicine may offer equivalent benefits to conventional medicine but with fewer side effects," lead researcher Andrew Flower, of the University of Southampton in the UK, told Reuters Health. "This may mean that Chinese herbal medicine is more suitable for long-term use," he added, "but we need more studies to show this."