The Role of Dietary Supplements in the Management of Endometriosis-Related Symptoms: Current Evidence Based on a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Kircali-Haznedar N, Kırcalı-Haznedar N, Nagihan Kircali-Haznedar, Nagihan Kırcalı-Haznedar, Tuba Nur Yıldız-Kopuz, Yıldız-Kopuz TN
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2026 · pp. 1–12 · doi:10.1159/000552625 · PMID:42319865 · W7165404374
review OA: closed CC0
View on OpenAlex View on PubMed View at publisher
⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-07-09 ⓘ

This systematic review of eleven randomized controlled trials found that combined vitamin C and E, and some herbal supplements reduced endometriosis-related pain, while vitamin D showed inconsistent effects.

One-sentence paraphrase of the abstract; not a substitute for reading it. No clinical advice. How this works

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is characterized by a persistent inflammatory process and is commonly shown to be associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and a deterioration in overall quality of life. Due to limitations and side effects of current medical and surgical treatments, nutrition-based adjunctive strategies have gained attention. The purpose of this research was to critically examine the latest scientific evidence based on randomized controlled trials about dietary supplement treatment and the therapeutic management of endometriosis-related symptoms. METHODS: The conduct of this systematic review adhered to PRISMA methodological principles, with prior registration of the protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42024624094). PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively explored. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 739 participants were included. The mean intervention duration was 12.3 ± 6.03 weeks. Eight trials evaluated vitamin supplementation, and three assessed herbal or bioactive compounds. Combined vitamin C and E supplementation consistently demonstrated reductions in pain-related outcomes across five trials. In contrast, findings regarding vitamin D were inconsistent, with only one of three studies reporting significant improvement compared to placebo. Among herbal interventions, two of three trials reported significant reductions in pain-related symptoms. CONCLUSION: Overall methodological quality ranged from good to fair. However, the available literature restricts conclusions due to limited sample sizes and methodological differences. Larger, well-designed trials with standardized protocols and biomarker-guided approaches are needed.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (32)

SciLite annotations

chemicals 2
vitamin c vitamin d

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-09-04T06:17:57.233406+00:00
openalex
last seen: 2026-09-04T06:09:26.363916+00:00
pubmed
last seen: 2026-09-04T06:11:29.671634+00:00
scilite
last seen: 2026-06-21T06:47:03.627287+00:00
unpaywall
last seen: 2026-09-04T06:34:25.427880+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK