The Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation on Pain, Oxidative Stress Markers, and Clinical Pregnancy Rate in Women With Endometriosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Summary of Results
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that the administration of antioxidant supplements may have beneficial effects in alleviating specific types of pain associated with endometriosis—including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia—as well as reducing oxidative stress levels, particularly peripheral MDA (mallondialdehyde).
However, no significant improvement in overall pain or clinical pregnancy rate was observed. Subgroup analyses indicate that the effectiveness of treatment may vary depending on the type of antioxidant, the stage of the disease, and the duration of the intervention.
Conclusions and Future Prospects
* Complementary Therapy: The findings support the potential role of antioxidants as an adjuvant therapy for managing pain and oxidative stress in endometriosis.
* Limitations: Despite promising results, current evidence is limited by methodological heterogeneity and small sample sizes.
* Need for Research: Future, large-scale, and high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary to validate these findings, identify the most effective regimens, and evaluate their long-term effects on fertility and disease recurrence.
Published in the journal of Nutrition
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