Effect of antioxidant vitamins on pelvic pain in endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Although the disease is benign, its clinical manifestations can seriously impact the quality of life of patients, causing chronic pelvic pain, discomfort, menstrual irregularities, and fertility problems. Chronic pain in endometriosis is explained by inflammatory processes and increased levels of oxidative stress due to the accumulation of free radicals in tissues. Antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E, play a key role in neutralizing free radicals and can reduce oxidative stress levels. In 2023, specialists led by Afshar conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis aimed at studying the effect of antioxidant vitamins on pelvic pain in women with endometriosis [3]. They analyzed data from several clinical studies comparing the effectiveness of vitamins C and E with a placebo. The results showed that taking these antioxidants can reduce pain intensity and improve the quality of life of patients. The relevance of studying antioxidant vitamins is due to the limitations of existing treatment methods for endometriosis, such as hormonal therapy and surgical intervention, which may have side effects and a high risk of recurrence.Therefore, the search for new approaches, including the use of antioxidants, is important for improving the condition of patients. Vitamins C and E have a synergistic effect: vitamin C helps restore the active form of vitamin E after its interaction with free radicals, making their combined use more effective. Additionally, antioxidants can positively influence the immune system, which is especially important in endometriosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether vitamins C and E can reduce the intensity of pelvic pain and improve the overall health of women with endometriosis.