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Review
. 2014:2014:146383.
doi: 10.1155/2014/146383. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

The complementary and alternative medicine for endometriosis: a review of utilization and mechanism

Sai Kong  1 , Yue-Hui Zhang  2 , Chen-Fang Liu  1 , Ilene Tsui  3 , Ying Guo  1 , Bei-Bei Ai  1 , Feng-Juan Han  4
Affiliations
Review

The complementary and alternative medicine for endometriosis: a review of utilization and mechanism

Sai Kong et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014.

Abstract

Endometriosis (EM) is one of the common gynecological conditions causing menstrual and pelvic pain and affects 10%-15% of women of reproductive age. In recent years, the complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatment for EM has become popular due to the few adverse reactions reported. The CAM therapy for EM includes several different treatments such as herbs (herbal prescription, extract, and patent), acupuncture, microwave physiotherapy, and Chinese herb medicine enema (CHM enema). These CAM therapies are effective at relieving dysmenorrhoea, shrinking adnexal masses, and promoting pregnancy, with less unpleasant side effects when compared to hormonal and surgical treatments. In this review, we focus on the status quo of CAM on EM and try to identify therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms based on some clinical and experimental studies. We hope to provide some instructive suggestions for clinical treatment and experimental research in the future.

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Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathogenesis and risk factors of endometriosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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