Fifty-nine women (aged 19-41 years) with pelvic pain and a history of endometriosis and/or infertility received either a placebo (n = 13) or a combination of vitamin E (1,200 IU/day) and vitamin C (1,000 mg/day) (n = 46) for two months. It was not specified whether the treatment allocation was randomized or blinded. At the end of the treatment period, levels of inflammatory markers in peritoneal fluid, which was collected by laparoscopy, were significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the placebo group. Forty-three percent of the women in the supplemented group reported an improvement in everyday pain, compared with none of the women in the placebo group. Twenty-four percent of the women in the supplemented group reported an improvement in dyspareunia, compared with none of those in the placebo group.

Comment: These results suggest that supplementation with vitamins E and vitamin C can relieve pain and improve dyspareunia in women with endometriosis. Although it is not clear how these vitamins work, they are known to reduce oxidative stress, which is often increased in women with endometriosis. Prior to this study, there had been very little research on the use of natural substances for the treatment of endometriosis. Other antioxidants, such as selenium, zinc, carotenoids, vitamin A, and flavonoids, should also be investigated as potential treatments for this common and painful condition.

Johnson K. Antioxidant therapy quickly improves endometriosis pain. Fam Pract News 2004(March 15):75.