Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting about 1 in 10 women, causing severe period pain and pelvic discomfort that regular treatments sometimes can’t fully fix. Researchers looked at 107 studies about complementary and alternative treatments—like acupuncture, herbal medicine, supplements, and relaxation techniques—to see if they could help. They found that acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and certain supplements showed the most promise for reducing pain and improving quality of life. While these approaches appear helpful as add-ons to regular medical care, researchers say we need more consistent studies to be completely sure how well they work.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether complementary and alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbs, supplements, and relaxation techniques can help reduce pain and improve life quality for women with endometriosis
  • Who participated: The review analyzed 107 different research studies on various natural and alternative treatments for endometriosis. The studies included women with confirmed endometriosis experiencing pain or quality-of-life problems
  • Key finding: Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and nutritional supplements showed the strongest evidence for helping reduce endometriosis pain and improving how women feel overall. Many studies showed meaningful improvements, though the quality and methods varied between studies
  • What it means for you: If you have endometriosis, these complementary approaches may be worth discussing with your doctor as additions to your regular treatment plan. However, they shouldn’t replace conventional medical care, and you should talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through medical databases to find and analyze all available studies on a topic. The team looked at studies published up through April 2025 in PubMed and PsycINFO (major medical research databases) that tested complementary and alternative treatments for endometriosis pain or quality of life. They followed strict guidelines called PRISMA-ScR to make sure they did the search fairly and completely. Multiple reviewers independently checked each study to reduce mistakes.

The researchers included 107 studies that tested different types of treatments: acupuncture (needle therapy), Chinese herbal medicine, Western supplements and vitamins, physical therapy and exercise, special diets, relaxation and meditation techniques, talk therapy, and combinations of these approaches. This wide range of treatments and study types gave them a big picture of what’s being researched.

This approach matters because endometriosis is a complex condition that causes pain in many ways—through inflammation, nerve sensitivity, and muscle tension. Regular medical treatments don’t always work completely for everyone. By looking at many different studies together, researchers can see which alternative approaches have the most scientific support and might help fill gaps in current treatment options. This helps doctors and patients make better decisions about what to try alongside regular medical care.

The review found that acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and supplements had the strongest evidence because they included well-designed studies like randomized controlled trials (where people are randomly assigned to different treatments) and meta-analyses (studies that combine results from many other studies). However, the researchers noted that studies varied a lot in how they diagnosed endometriosis, what treatments they tested, and how they measured results. This variation makes it harder to compare studies directly or apply findings to everyone. The review is recent and comprehensive, which is a strength, but readers should know that not all included studies were equally rigorous

What the Results Show

The review identified three main treatment areas with the strongest scientific support. Acupuncture—the practice of inserting thin needles at specific body points—showed significant benefits for reducing endometriosis pain and improving quality of life in multiple studies. Chinese herbal medicine and natural plant-based remedies also demonstrated meaningful pain relief and quality-of-life improvements in several well-designed studies.

Nutritional supplements, including vitamins and minerals, represented the third area with substantial evidence. Studies showed that certain supplements may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with endometriosis. Physical therapy, relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and dietary changes also showed promise, though generally with less extensive research backing than the top three approaches.

The review found that many studies showed statistically significant improvements, meaning the results were unlikely to be due to chance. However, the amount of improvement varied between studies, and some studies were more carefully designed than others.

Beyond pain relief, studies examined how these treatments affected overall quality of life, including mental health, ability to work, and relationships. Several studies showed that complementary treatments helped with anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic pain. Some research suggested that combining multiple approaches (like acupuncture plus dietary changes) might work better than single treatments alone. The review also noted that different women responded differently to the same treatments, suggesting that personalized approaches might be important.

This review builds on earlier research showing that endometriosis pain is complex and often doesn’t respond completely to standard medical treatments alone. Previous studies had looked at individual treatments, but this comprehensive review brings together evidence across many different complementary approaches. It confirms what some earlier research suggested—that acupuncture and herbal medicine have stronger evidence bases than many other alternative treatments. The findings suggest that integrating these approaches with conventional medical care, rather than replacing it, appears to be the most promising direction.

The researchers identified several important limitations. Different studies used different methods to confirm endometriosis diagnosis, making comparisons difficult. Studies varied widely in how they measured pain and quality of life, so combining results was challenging. Some studies were small or not as carefully designed as others. The review couldn’t determine exactly how much benefit each treatment provides because studies tested different doses, durations, and combinations. Publication bias may exist, meaning studies showing positive results are more likely to be published than those showing no effect. Finally, most studies were short-term, so we don’t know if benefits last over months or years

The Bottom Line

Based on moderate evidence: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be worth trying as additions to your regular endometriosis treatment, especially if conventional treatments aren’t fully controlling your pain. Nutritional supplements show promise but should be discussed with your doctor first. Based on weaker evidence: Physical therapy, relaxation techniques, dietary changes, and psychotherapy may help and are generally safe to try. Important: These should complement, not replace, conventional medical care. Always discuss any new treatment with your healthcare provider before starting

Women with endometriosis experiencing pain or quality-of-life problems should pay attention to this research, especially those whose symptoms aren’t well-controlled with standard treatments. Healthcare providers treating endometriosis should consider discussing these options with patients. Women interested in integrative medicine approaches will find this helpful. However, this research doesn’t apply to women without endometriosis or those whose symptoms are well-managed with current treatments. Anyone with severe symptoms should prioritize conventional medical evaluation and treatment

Most studies examined effects over weeks to a few months. Acupuncture typically requires multiple sessions (often 6-12 weeks of treatment) before benefits appear. Herbal medicines and supplements usually take 2-3 months to show effects. Relaxation techniques and physical therapy may show benefits within weeks but often improve more over months. Don’t expect immediate results—give any new treatment at least 6-8 weeks before deciding if it’s working for you

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily pain levels (0-10 scale) and note which complementary treatments you’re using each day. Also track how treatments affect your ability to work, exercise, or do daily activities. Record this alongside your menstrual cycle to see patterns
  • Start with one complementary treatment at a time so you can clearly see what helps. For example, try acupuncture for 6-8 weeks while keeping everything else the same, then evaluate results before adding another approach. This helps you identify what actually works for your body
  • Create a monthly summary comparing your pain levels, quality of life, and symptoms before and after starting complementary treatments. Take photos or notes of how treatments affect your daily functioning. Share this data with your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about continuing or changing treatments

This review summarizes research on complementary treatments for endometriosis but is not medical advice. Endometriosis is a serious medical condition requiring professional diagnosis and treatment. Complementary approaches should only be used alongside conventional medical care, not as replacements. Before starting acupuncture, herbal medicines, supplements, or any new treatment, discuss it with your gynecologist or healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking medications or have other health conditions. Some supplements can interact with medications or cause side effects. This information is current as of the publication date but medical knowledge evolves. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. If you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention