Insights & Discussion
Numerous complementary treatments have been used to alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis, but only acupuncture has demonstrated a significant improvement in outcomes.
The complementary interventions studied were acupuncture, exercise, electrotherapy, and yoga. All were inconclusive in affirming benefit, but demonstrated a positive trend in the treatment of symptoms of endometriosis. Meta-analysis of acupuncture showed a significant benefit in pain reduction as compared with placebo.
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Green tea helps alleviate symptoms in multiple benign gynecological disorders, primarily due to a compound called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
2023 Nutrients Green Tea and Benign Gynecologic Disorders: A New Trick for An Old Beverage? Hazimeh D, Massoud G, Parish M, Singh B, Segars J, Islam MS
Review Article Adenomyosis EGCG Endometriosis
The paper reviews the role of the compound Epigallocatechin-3-gallate found in green tea, and its effects on various benign gynecological conditions. The compound is noted for its antioxidant and prooxidant qualities, allowing it to interact with multiple cellular pathways that are crucial for disease pathogenesis. The studied conditions include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, adenomyosis, menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome. The research accounts for the specific mechanisms through which the compound might affect each condition, such as anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms.
The results suggest that green tea consumption can lead to improved symptom management in these disorders. It was found to lessen the intensity of symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and endometriosis, by invoking anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms. It also helped manage pain linked with dysmenorrhea and adenomyosis through reducing uterine contractility and widely felt pain. Additionally, it showed efficacy in weight and osteoporosis control during menopause, and showed potential benefits in managing polycystic ovary syndrome. However, claims regarding its influence on fertility were deemed controversial.
Higher consumption of dairy foods relates to a decreased risk of endometriosis, while increased intake of red meat and certain fats elevates the risk.
2022 Nutrition Journal Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies Arab A, Karimi E, Vingrys K, Kelishadi MR, Mehrabani S, Askari G
Systematic Review Dairy Endometriosis Red Meat
The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, evaluating the relationship between dietary intakes of specific food groups (dairy, fats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and meat) and endometriosis risk. The databases PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched until September 2022 to collect data. To measure the effect size and corresponding confidence intervals, the inverse variance-weighted fixed-effect method was used. There were eight publications included in this study, ranging from a sample size of 156 to 116,607, comprising five cohorts and three case-control studies.
The results indicated a link between the risk of endometriosis and dietary intake. A higher intake of total dairy products was associated with a decreased risk, but there was no such association found with either low or high-fat dairy, cheese or milk. Conversely, a higher consumption of red meat, trans fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids showed an association with an increased risk of endometriosis. The results highlight differing associations between dietary practices and endometriosis risk, hinting at the role of diet in the incidence and progression of the condition.
Endometriosis, a prevalent gynecological disease, may arise due to changes in the female genital system's development during a crucial fetal life window.
2022 Frontiers in Medicine New Insights in Pathogenesis of Endometriosis Signorile PG, Viceconte R, Baldi A
Review Article Endometriosis
The research involved an extensive review and analysis of recent literature on various proposed pathogenic mechanisms responsible for endometriosis. Central to the methodology was a detailed inspection of the embryologic theory of endometriosis pathogenesis. This theory suggests that an aberration in the developmental program of the female genital system in the fetus could prompt the development of endometriosis.
The discussions highlight the findings of both the research group that authored this work as well as other research groups. These studies have all revealed potential signs of a change in the careful regulation of the female genital system's development during a particularly vital time in fetal development. This alteration, they propose, might set the stage for endometriosis to emerge later in life. While the other traditionally accepted theories, like retrograde menstruation and coelomic metaplasia, are acknowledged, specific emphasis is given to the implications of the embryologic theory.
Caffeine consumption does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of endometriosis overall, higher caffeine intake may be linked to an elevated risk, and more research is required to understand this potential dose-dependent relationship and account for unidentified biases.
2021 Nutrients The Relation between Caffeine Consumption and Endometriosis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Kechagias KS, Katsikas Triantafyllidis K, Kyriakidou M, Giannos P, Kalliala I, Veroniki AA, et al.
Systematic Review Caffeine Endometriosis
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the relationship between caffeine consumption and endometriosis risk. Analyzing ten studies, including five cohort and five case-control studies, the research found no significant overall association between caffeine intake and endometriosis risk compared to women with low or no caffeine consumption. However, when stratified by caffeine intake levels, high caffeine consumption was linked to an increased risk of endometriosis, while moderate intake showed no significant association. The study concludes that while caffeine consumption as a whole does not seem to be associated with heightened endometriosis risk, a dose-dependent link may exist, warranting further research to understand this potential relationship and account for any unidentified biases.
Green tea and its chief bioactive component have the potential to improve certain female reproductive disorders such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and dysmenorrhea.
2021 Molecules Beneficial Effects of Green Tea Catechins on Female Reproductive Disorders: A Review Kamal DAM, Salamt N, Zaid SSM, Mokhtar MH
Review Article Endometriosis Female Reproductive Disorders Green Tea
The study reviews the beneficial effects of green tea and its major bioactive component on female reproductive disorders, focusing on endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and dysmenorrhea. The research highlights the role of catechins, phenolic compounds found in tea, which have been known for their health benefits due to their high antioxidative properties. The green tea or its derivative works on endometriosis through anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic, anti-proliferative, and proapoptotic mechanisms.
In the discussion of results, it was found that green tea not only enhances ovulation and reduces cyst formation in PCOS, but it also ameliorates generalised hyperalgesia, reduces plasma corticosterone levels, and mitigates uterine contractility in dysmenorrhea. Despite the promising findings, the study acknowledges the need for more comprehensive clinical trials to fully translate these findings into clinical practice.
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