Bridging gaps in endometriosis care: a scoping review of complementary, alternative and/or integrative medicine for pain and quality of life

Jolanda van Keizerswaard, J. van Keizerswaard, VAN Keizerswaard J, Bernadette Jeremiasse, Jeremiasse B, Mijatovic V, Velja Mijatovic, Robert A. de Leeuw, de Leeuw RA
Minerva obstetrics and gynecology · 2025 · vol. 78(2) , pp. 159–172 · doi:10.23736/s2724-606x.25.05804-x · PMID:41160417 · W4415734626
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This scoping review found that acupuncture, Chinese and natural medicine, and nutritional supplements show potential as adjunctive treatments for endometriosis-associated pain and quality of life improvements, despite study heterogeneity.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder characterized by ectopic endometrial-like tissue, affecting approximately 10% of women. It significantly impairs quality of life through symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. Conventional treatments often inadequately manage the complex pain associated with the disease. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) approaches are proposed as supplementary strategies addressing broader symptomatology. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This scoping review employed a comprehensive search of PubMed and PsycINFO databases from inception through April 25th, 2025. Studies assessing CAIM treatments on endometriosis-associated pain or quality of life were included. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by multiple reviewers, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 107 studies across diverse CAIM domains were analyzed, including acupuncture, Chinese and natural medicine, nutritional supplements, physical therapy, dietary interventions, relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, and combined therapies. Acupuncture, Chinese and natural medicine, and nutritional supplements had the most substantial evidence base, featuring randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses indicating significant pain relief and quality of life improvements. However, significant heterogeneity in study designs, diagnosis confirmation methods, intervention specifics, and outcome measures limited direct comparability and generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: CAIM therapies demonstrate potential as adjunctive treatments for endometriosis-associated pain and quality of life enhancement. Future research should examine additive benefits of CAIM therapies combined with conventional treatments, supporting integrative care addressing endometriosis-related pain, sensitization, mental health, inflammation, and myofascial dysfunction.
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Introduction

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder characterized by ectopic endometrial-like tissue, affecting approximately 10% of women. It significantly impairs quality of life through symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. Conventional treatments often inadequately manage the complex pain associated with the disease. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) approaches are proposed as supplementary strategies addressing broader symptomatology. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This scoping review employed a comprehensive search of PubMed and PsycINFO databases from inception through April 25th, 2025. Studies assessing CAIM treatments on endometriosis-associated pain or quality of life were included. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by multiple reviewers, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 107 studies across diverse CAIM domains were analyzed, including acupuncture, Chinese and natural medicine, nutritional supplements, physical therapy, dietary interventions, relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, and combined therapies. Acupuncture, Chinese and natural medicine, and nutritional supplements had the most substantial evidence base, featuring randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses indicating significant pain relief and quality of life improvements. However, significant heterogeneity in study designs, diagnosis confirmation methods, intervention specifics, and outcome measures limited direct comparability and generalizability.

Conclusions

CAIM therapies demonstrate potential as adjunctive treatments for endometriosis-associated pain and quality of life enhancement. Future research should examine additive benefits of CAIM therapies combined with conventional treatments, supporting integrative care addressing endometriosis-related pain, sensitization, mental health, inflammation, and myofascial dysfunction. KEY WORDS: Endometriosis; Pain; Quality of life

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paindysmenorrheainfertility

MeSH descriptors

Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies Complementary Therapies

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 (100)

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