Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#female #humans #ascorbic-acid #endometriosis #antioxidants

Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Bayu et al., 2024 | PLoS One | Meta Analysis

Citation

Bayu Patrick, Wibisono Jacobus Jeno. Vitamin C and E antioxidant supplementation may significantly reduce pain symptoms in endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0301867. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301867

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The primary challenge encountered by individuals diagnosed with endometriosis is the experience of pain. Emerging research indicates that oxidative stress is implicated in the initiation of pain associated with endometriosis. Vitamins C and E are known for their antioxidative properties. The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation, consisting of these vitamins, in the management of pain associated with endometriosis. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted on the ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, Europe PMC, and Medline databases up until August 23rd, 2023, utilizing a combination of relevant keywords. This review incorporates literature that examines the relationship between antioxidant supplementation and pain in endometriosis. We employed fixed-effect models to analyze the risk ratio (RR) and present the outcomes together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of five RCTs were incorporated. The results of our meta-analysis indicated that antioxidant supplementation with vitamin C and E combination was associated with higher proportion of endometriosis patients reporting reduced chronic pelvic pain (RR 7.30; 95%CI: 3.27-16.31, p<0.00001, I2 = 0%), alleviations of dysmenorrhea (RR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.25-3.07, p = 0.003, I2 = 39%), and dyspareunia (RR 5.08; 95%CI: 2.10-12.26, p = 0.0003, I2 = 0%) than patients only receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the potential ability of vitamin C and E in alleviating pain symptoms experienced by individuals with endometriosis.

Key Findings

A total of five RCTs were incorporated. The results of our meta-analysis indicated that antioxidant supplementation with vitamin C and E combination was associated with higher proportion of endometriosis patients reporting reduced chronic pelvic pain (RR 7.30; 95%CI: 3.27-16.31, p<0.00001, I2 = 0%), alleviations of dysmenorrhea (RR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.25-3.07, p = 0.003, I2 = 39%), and dyspareunia (RR 5.08; 95%CI: 2.10-12.26, p = 0.0003, I2 = 0%) than patients only receiving placebo.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population endometriosis
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Endometriosis
  • Antioxidants
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Vitamin E
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Dyspareunia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-c

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09